Hallsville Offense Ahead of Last Year’s Pace

Hallsville coach David Plunk has seen some rust during the first three days of the Bobcats' 2012 two-a-day practices, but he likes where the offense stands.

"Right now offensively we're ahead of where we were this time last year," said Plunk, who's in eighth season leading Hallsville. "Austin Toney's done a really good job at quarterback. Throwing the ball and catching the ball we're better than we were last year at this point."

Toney, a 6-3, 185-pound senior, is one of the skill-position players Plunk has high hopes for. Senior Thaddeus Fagan (6-0, 190) ran for 667 yards and six touchdowns in 2011, while junior Andre Jones (5-9, 170) caught 17 passes for 258 yards and two scores in a breakout sophomore campaign.

Those skill players will have a solid offensive line in front of them led by senior veterans Brent Rogers (6-0, 270) and Hayden Wall, a 6-4, 270-pounder who will anchor the Bobcats' front and protect Toney's blind side. Wall has received interest from Louisiana Tech.

"He'll play our left tackle position, which is the most important position on the offensive line," Plunk said. "Him and Brent Rogers started for us the entire year last year. They'll give us some stability. I think (the offensive line) is going to be the key for us."

Hallsville hosts Kilgore on Aug. 24 in a scrimmage. The Bulldogs, who Plunk played for in high school, present almost a mirror image for Hallsville, he said.

"Kilgore's going to be a physical team and they're going to test you physically. They're very similar to us both offensively and defensively," Plunk said. "We've been playing them for 15 years at least, so we're both familiar with each other, so it's not going to be any surprise on either side. You don't have to worry about what they're going to do and how they're going to do it."

Hallsville opens the season at Whitehouse on Aug. 31.