Nacogdoches Opens Its Season at Home Against Henderson

Henderson Lions (0-1)
vs.
Nacogdoches Dragons (0-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Dragon Stadium, Nacogdoches

Coaches
Henderson: Dickey Meeks
Nacogdoches: Bobby Reyes

Last week
Henderson: lost to Plano Prestonwood Christian Academy, 56-21
Nacogdoches: idle

Next week
Henderson: vs. Hallsville
Nacogdoches: at Lufkin

Playmakers
Henderson

• ATH Patrick "Monster" Brown, Sr., 5-11, 175 (1-for-1, 32 yards; 4 carries, 18 yards; 3 catches, 31 yards)
• LB Jamaal Kind, Sr., 5-10, 185 (15 tackles, 1 PBU)
• ATH Arqez Walton, Sr., 5-8, 190 (3 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD; 6 tackles)
• RB Diamante Wright, Sr. (17 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD)
• QB Jansen Moore, Sr. (9 of 14, 166 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)
• WR/DB Jamie Anthony, Sr. (3 catches, 89 yards; 5 tackles, 1 PBU)
• DB J'Korrie Centers, Sr. (9 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble)
• OL Nick Siler, Sr., 6-4, 255 (committed to Air Force)
• DE Bo Brady, Sr., 6-0, 195 (7 tackles, 1/2 sack)
• LB Jamaal Pegues, Sr. (13 tackles)

Nacogdoches

• OT Jacob Bragg, Jr., 6-3, 285
• DE Gregg Roberts, Jr., 6-5, 205
• RB Derrick Fields, Sr., 5-9, 182
• OG Malik Gilder, Jr., 6-2, 270
• QB Patrick Ledet, Sr., 6-0, 180
• RB Shawn Smith, Soph., 5-10, 185
• WR Michael Dove, Sr., 5-9, 165
• DT Cody Bryce, Sr., 6-0, 245
• DE Bryan Scott, Jr., 6-1, 190
• SS Joseph Singletary, Jr., 6-0, 185

Just the facts

• Henderson yielded 566 yards of offense to Plano Prestonwood Christian, 404 of which were rushing yards
• Henderson had three different players throw passes last week: senior Jansen Moore (9 of 14), sophomore Zane Boles (2 of 4), and Patrick "Monster" Brown (1 of 1)
• Nacogdoches went 1-9 in 2011
• Nacogdoches junior offensive lineman Jacob Bragg attended TCU, Oklahoma State, Baylor, and Oklahoma camps during the summer
• Henderson didn't touch the ball for the first 25 plays in its 56-21 lost to Plano Prestonwood
• Nacogdoches junior defensive end Gregg Roberts is the son of former Nacogdoches lineman and Oklahoma Sooner Gregg Roberts, who won the Outland Trophy with OU in 1978

Key matchup: Nacogdoches' offensive line vs. Henderson's defensive front. Henderson had huge problems with Prestonwood's push on the front line last week, and the Lions will again face a team with a bulky offensive line. In fact, Nacogdoches' O-line is probably larger all the away across the front. Jacob Bragg and Malik Gilder are two promising juniors who will the lead way for quarterback Patrick Ledet and tailbacks Derrick Fields and Shawn Smith. Henderson's defense is fast and athletic, but not very big, so the Lions will often be at a size disadvantage. Perhaps playing teams such as Prestonwood and Henderson will get the Lions prepared for the larger schools they'll face during District 16-3A, such as Kilgore, Gladewater, and Gilmer.

Don't be surprised if: Henderson rebounds from last week's disappointing loss and finds more offensive consistency. Chances aren't high that the Lions will be down 14-0 before the offense touches the ball, so

mentally that should help Henderson when it takes the field behind Jansen Moore or Zane Boles. Nacogdoches is a bit of an unknown since the Dragons haven't played a game yet and have a new coach in Bobby Reyes, who served as a Nacogdoches assistant in the 1970's, when he coached the elder Gregg Roberts. Henderson never got its offense in a rhythm last week because of Prestonwood's dominance in the trenches. That will likely be the Lions' first order of business Friday, along with getting Patrick Brown more touches, both offensively and in the kicking game.