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Football: Odle bringing flexibility to Coppell attack
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
In 2011, Coppell's football team opened with a 4-0 start before crumbling down the stretch after losing both of their quarterbacks to injuries midway through the season and settling on a 6-4 record.
The slide resulted in a midseason change at offensive coordinator and recently the Cowboys used spring practice as an opportunity to break in new quarterbacks and fully grasp the system being implemented under Mike Odle, who took over in January.
"I feel very good about the spring we had," said Joe McBride, Coppell head coach. "We worked in a lot of new stuff on offense and also solidified some of our older stuff. The offense was really attacking and playing with a great rhythm."
"It's really personnel-driven," he said. "We have the ability to bring a bunch of kids up and back, and to be very flexible in what we are doing. We're still doing a lot of the same things we've done in the past, but we're also taking advantage and implementing a lot more two back and multiple tight end sets."
At quarterback, the Cowboys are looking at Matt Gillen and Colby Mahon, a move-in from Bridgeport.
Gillen was Coppell's backup quarterback to Jake Larson. But because of his athletic ability, he played receiver while Larson started. That proved to be an issue for the Cowboys, as Gillen was lost to injury while playing receiver in the same game Larson was hurt.
"Matt actually got hurt before Jake did, so he never got to play," McBride said. "But he's a great athlete that can run and throw."
Mahon, meanwhile, threw for 3,003 yards and 34 touchdowns last year at Bridgeport.
"Colby has come in and done a great job, too," McBride said. "It's really iron sharpening iron at quarterback. We're still evaluating both of them and it could be a situation where they both play because they can do some different things."
While Coppell is progressing offensively, it is the Cowboys defense that has McBride excited.
"We have a lot of guys back," McBride said. "I really think this has the chance to be the best defense we've had here at Coppell and can be a top-five defense in the state. We have a lot of talent on the defensive line and most of the secondary back."
McBride is also confident in the group because of its experience.
"I really feel good about it and it's a compliment to the leadership we have," he said. "We have 10 guys on a leadership council and they've really done a great job getting everyone ready and focused. And I think they are really benefitting and learning from the adversity they all went through last season."
Coppell closed practice with its annual Spring Game.
"I was real happy with that and the physicality that we played with," McBride said. "We were tackling and hitting hard. And even though we were playing at a high level with a lot of physicality, we were able to stay healthy. They're a tough group of kids."
Coppell continues its preparation for 2012 with its summer conditioning program in addition to competing in 7-on-7 tournaments. The team will also play in a 7-on-7 league on Tuesdays with Newman Smith, Irving MacArthur and Birdville.
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