Tyler Lee Starts Practice Under New Coach Darrell Piske

TYLER -- Fundamentals were the focus Monday morning as Tyler Lee opened fall camp under first-year head coach Darrell Piske.

"It went good. We're just touching up some of our organizational stuff. The kids did well," said Piske, who came to the Red Raiders in the spring after leading Fairfield to a 10-1 record last season. "We'll spend these first two or three days polishing up all the plays we put in in the spring. We're going to go against each other a little more tomorrow, but there's only so much you can tell when everyone's in shorts and T-shirts."

One Red Raider who didn't start his 2012 season Monday was Jordan Richardson (6-0, 175), who is moving from receiver to the starting quarterback role. Richardson broke his left fibula during spring practice and is still in a protective boot.

"He gets released on Friday, so it's good for the other ones to compete and see where we are," Piske said.

Piske added that the staff won't rush Richardson's recovery. When the Red Raiders' new signal caller returns, he'll have a strong backfield playing behind him in fullback Marcus White (5-6, 185) and tailback LaQuintas Wallace (5-10, 190). They'll have a big offensive line blocking for them with Zacchaeus Page (6-4, 300), Lane Haeger (6-2, 270), and William Hultz (6-2, 250) paving the way.

Page has received offers from Louisiana Tech and SFA, while Wallace holds offers from Louisiana Tech and Wyoming. Piske expects those lists to grow once the season starts.

Lee hopes to not duplicate its 2011 campaign, when the Red Raiders went 1-9, their only win coming against crosstown rival John Tyler during non-district play (that rivalry renews Sept. 14). Lee has gone 3-18 during the past two seasons. Coincidentally, Fairfield had won three games combined in the two years prior to Piske's arrival. He then led the Eagles to a 23-19 record in his four-year tenure.

Piske was upbeat and pleased with what he saw Monday, even if the pads won't be on until Friday.

"It was fundamental stuff this morning," Piske said. "They all came back in pretty good shape."

Lee scrimmages Aug. 24 at Marshall and opens the season 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at Rose Stadium against Sulphur Springs.