WICHITA FALLS -- At the Denison/WF Rider pre-season scrimmage this past Friday at Memorial Stadium, two things seemed apparent to DHS Yellow Jackets head coach Chad Rogers.
First, the offense should score plenty of points this fall.
And second, the defense, while improved greatly since last fall, is still a work in progress.
"The offense looked good," said Rogers, beginning his second year at the helm of the Denison program.
"But our defense has got to improve. We got tired as the day went on and started arm tackling."
Rogers said specifically, Denison's defensive backs got caught "looking the backfield" on a few occasions, fell victim to some screen passes, and gave Rider more offensive success than he had hoped for.
"We have to be more disciplined," he said.
On the other side of the ball, Rogers was generally all smiles.
"Our first team offense did real well," said the DHS head man. "We did have two turnovers off deflected passes but we also scored several times."
Overall, Rogers was much more pleased with his squad's effort than he was a year ago when Rider came to Denison's Munson Stadium and dominated the Yellow Jackets.
"The Rider coaches could not believe the improvement in our team from last year to this year," he said. "I think we're going to be great (this year)."
As for the other squads from DHS that made the journey westward down U.S. Hwy. 82, Rogers was once again, generally enthusiastic.
"Our JV wore them (Rider's JV) out," said Rogers.
(Editor's Note: Forgive the papa pride here, but my youngest son Will made his first interception while playing for the DHS freshmen squad).
With two pre-season scrimmages behind them, the Jackets now go to work this upcoming week to prepare for Friday night's season opener in Frisco against the Centennial Titans.
The game has a 7:30 p.m. kick-off.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Jackets Prep For Friday's Rider Scrimmage
With the first couple of weeks of fall camp in the books - not to mention a successful scrimmage last weekend against Princeton - the Denison Yellow Jackets are now turning their attention to a Friday scrimmage against Wichita Falls Rider.
Sort of.
DHS head football coach Chad Rogers admits that he is hopeful that this week's scrimmage against the Raiders turns out to be like the proverbial killing of two birds with one stone.
"We are very fortunate that Rider and (Frisco) Centennial are very similar, so we prepare for both," said Rogers at midweek.
By no means does that indicate that the Jackets aren't concerned about facing the Raiders this week.
With Rider coming off of a 12-3 run to the 2012 Class 4A Division II state semi-finals last fall, Rogers and his coaching staff are looking forward to seeing how the Jackets measure up against the recent Class 4A power.
Picked by Dave Campbell's Texas Football to once again finish as the District 5-4A runner-up (behind defending 4A Division I state champ Denton Guyer), coach Jim Garfield's senior heavy Rider squad brings back six returning offensive and six returning defensive starters along with 32 lettermen.
Offensively, the Raiders are led by quarterback Chase London (6-0, 250 pounds) who was 73-127-6 passing last year for 1,127 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those numbers came in an abbreviated season that saw London take over for the injured J.T. Barrett (the QB that Denison saw in its scrimmage against Rider last August).
The other side of the Raiders two-pronged attack on the offensive side of the ball is running back Carlos Fleeks (5-8, 165) who rushed for 814 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago. Sophomore quarterback Tariq Vasher (6-4, 170) is also expected to be a contributor this year for the Raiders and could be in the mix on Friday.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders are led by inside linebacker Bradley Goldstein (5-10, 185) who returns as the team leader in tackles after notching 177 of them a year ago. Outside linebacker Sam Scribner (6-1, 220) and defensive back Sam Giordano (6-0, 180) are other Rider defensive players to watch.
While Rogers acknowledges that Rider brings a wealth of talent to the table, he is also most concerned about seeing how his own players respond to getting squeezed by a 4A power. Especially with the 2013 season opener looming next week against powerful Frisco Centennial.
So far, Rogers likes what he is seeing from his team this week as the settle into somewhat of a routine in what is the third week of workouts for the Jackets.
He should like what he is seeing. After attending the Tuesday afternoon practice, I thought that the squad was spirited and gave great effort, that the execution was crisp, and that the Jackets looked sharp on both sides of the ball.
"Practice is going real well (this week)," said Rogers. "Our young men are preparing well. Right now we are working on our technique and what we need to do The entire defense is almost in."
When asked what his goals were for Friday's scrimmage against Rider, Rogers was quick to respond.
"Our goals are just to get better," he said. "I want to see us run to the ball, to make tackles, and to stay on our blocks."
The Friday scrimmage at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls will begin when the Jackets freshmen teams hit the field at 10 a.m. Both the DHS black and gold frosh squads will see action with the first and second teams getting two sessions of plays each.
That will be followed up by the JV scrimmage approximately an hour later. Both the Denison first and second team units will get offensive and defensive work against the Raiders.
Finally, sometime after the 12 noon mark, the Jackets' varsity squad will hit the turf to see how it fares against Rider. The first team offensive and defensive squads will get two sessions (15 plays and 10 plays) while the second team units will also get two sessions (15 plays and 10 plays).
In an effort to make the scrimmage more game like - and to prepare both teams for their season openers - this week's scrimmage will feature penalties being marked off by officials; field goal and extra point attempts (with no rush); punting work (with no rush); kick-offs and kick-off returns with no contact; a 16-minute live quarter (that could be made longer if the coaches so desire); an overtime period; and a requirement for all coaches to remain on the sidelines.
For fans traveling to Wichita Falls to watch, Memorial Stadium is located approximately 130 miles to the west of Denison. To get there, travel west on U.S. Hwy. 82 to Wichita Falls. Take the Henry S. Grace Fwy. (281) exit to the south. Exit onto Southwest Parkway and travel west through the southern part of town. The stadium complex sits on the southwest side of town at 4709 Barnett Road.
Sort of.
DHS head football coach Chad Rogers admits that he is hopeful that this week's scrimmage against the Raiders turns out to be like the proverbial killing of two birds with one stone.
"We are very fortunate that Rider and (Frisco) Centennial are very similar, so we prepare for both," said Rogers at midweek.
 |
| DHS Coach Chad Rogers wants to see players staying with their blocks as the Jackets scrimmage Wichita Falls Rider this Friday at Memorial Stadium. |
By no means does that indicate that the Jackets aren't concerned about facing the Raiders this week.
With Rider coming off of a 12-3 run to the 2012 Class 4A Division II state semi-finals last fall, Rogers and his coaching staff are looking forward to seeing how the Jackets measure up against the recent Class 4A power.
Picked by Dave Campbell's Texas Football to once again finish as the District 5-4A runner-up (behind defending 4A Division I state champ Denton Guyer), coach Jim Garfield's senior heavy Rider squad brings back six returning offensive and six returning defensive starters along with 32 lettermen.
Offensively, the Raiders are led by quarterback Chase London (6-0, 250 pounds) who was 73-127-6 passing last year for 1,127 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those numbers came in an abbreviated season that saw London take over for the injured J.T. Barrett (the QB that Denison saw in its scrimmage against Rider last August).
The other side of the Raiders two-pronged attack on the offensive side of the ball is running back Carlos Fleeks (5-8, 165) who rushed for 814 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago. Sophomore quarterback Tariq Vasher (6-4, 170) is also expected to be a contributor this year for the Raiders and could be in the mix on Friday.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders are led by inside linebacker Bradley Goldstein (5-10, 185) who returns as the team leader in tackles after notching 177 of them a year ago. Outside linebacker Sam Scribner (6-1, 220) and defensive back Sam Giordano (6-0, 180) are other Rider defensive players to watch.
While Rogers acknowledges that Rider brings a wealth of talent to the table, he is also most concerned about seeing how his own players respond to getting squeezed by a 4A power. Especially with the 2013 season opener looming next week against powerful Frisco Centennial.
So far, Rogers likes what he is seeing from his team this week as the settle into somewhat of a routine in what is the third week of workouts for the Jackets.
He should like what he is seeing. After attending the Tuesday afternoon practice, I thought that the squad was spirited and gave great effort, that the execution was crisp, and that the Jackets looked sharp on both sides of the ball.
"Practice is going real well (this week)," said Rogers. "Our young men are preparing well. Right now we are working on our technique and what we need to do The entire defense is almost in."
When asked what his goals were for Friday's scrimmage against Rider, Rogers was quick to respond.
"Our goals are just to get better," he said. "I want to see us run to the ball, to make tackles, and to stay on our blocks."
The Friday scrimmage at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls will begin when the Jackets freshmen teams hit the field at 10 a.m. Both the DHS black and gold frosh squads will see action with the first and second teams getting two sessions of plays each.
That will be followed up by the JV scrimmage approximately an hour later. Both the Denison first and second team units will get offensive and defensive work against the Raiders.
Finally, sometime after the 12 noon mark, the Jackets' varsity squad will hit the turf to see how it fares against Rider. The first team offensive and defensive squads will get two sessions (15 plays and 10 plays) while the second team units will also get two sessions (15 plays and 10 plays).
In an effort to make the scrimmage more game like - and to prepare both teams for their season openers - this week's scrimmage will feature penalties being marked off by officials; field goal and extra point attempts (with no rush); punting work (with no rush); kick-offs and kick-off returns with no contact; a 16-minute live quarter (that could be made longer if the coaches so desire); an overtime period; and a requirement for all coaches to remain on the sidelines.
For fans traveling to Wichita Falls to watch, Memorial Stadium is located approximately 130 miles to the west of Denison. To get there, travel west on U.S. Hwy. 82 to Wichita Falls. Take the Henry S. Grace Fwy. (281) exit to the south. Exit onto Southwest Parkway and travel west through the southern part of town. The stadium complex sits on the southwest side of town at 4709 Barnett Road.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Night and Day: Rogers Likes What He Sees From 2013 Jackets
Over the past year, I've often noted that Denison head coach Chad Rogers reminds me of one of the team's previous leaders.
The legendary Marty Criswell, the mustachioed man who left Denison with 89 wins in his back pocket, seven district championships, a magical 29-game winning streak, and of course, the epic 16-0 march to the 1984 state championship that was culminated with a 27-13 win over Tomball.
In the two or three occasions that I've mentioned the similarities between himself and Criswell, Rogers has smile and scoffed at the notion.
"I've got a LONG way to go before you can even think about comparing me to Coach Criswell in any way," says Rogers. "He made it great to be a Yellow Jacket. I'm just the latest coach around here who has only two wins on the board."
Exactly as Criswell did after his first season at the helm of the Yellow Jackets. Like Rogers' 2-8 campaign of a year ago, Criswell was 2-8 his first season.
That was followed by a tremendous off-season effort, a culture change if you will, where the Jackets started the in-house transformation from being a losing door-mat program during the 1970s to one of the state's powerhouse programs over the next 30 years.
With that as a backdrop, it has been fascinating for me to watch this off-season as Rogers has gone about implementing change designed to bring back what Denison has been known for over the past three decades.
A tremendously difficult off-season program that brings back a physicality to the game. A winner's mentality that never gives up and never quits. A team first approach that fosters laughter and chemistry in the locker room. And a refusal to lose and accept any excuses.
So much so that the latter - "No Excuses" - is embroidered onto the back of this year's version of the DHS sideline coach's hat.
Will all of this be enough? Enough to reinvent a historic program that has fallen on hard times with a three-year run of 2-8, 3-7, and 2-8 seasons?
Rogers is quick to point out that the proof will be on the field in a few weeks as Denison opens the 2013 regular season. And even more so a few Friday nights later when District 13-4A play begins.
But so far, two and a half weeks into the 2013 fall camp,, he likes what he sees as compared to a year ago.
"I don't like to compare daily or yearly stuff and I don't compare teams (to other teams)," said Rogers. "(But) I know that I really feel good about where we're at."
Last year, Rogers and his staff had barely unpacked the moving boxes before it was time to tee it up and hit the gridiron.
A few days into that season, as the results began to show on the field, Rogers was already making a mental checklist about what needed to happen in Denison between then and now.
That checklist is what has fueled a tremendously difficult off-season of workouts. In fact, some of the Jackets' home-grown coaches have privately opined that this off-season was as difficult as any they had ever been around.
That's saying something.
Change and adjustment is evident all over the map of the program. Tweaking of personnel and of coaching assignments has come. In fact, the player roster and the coaching staff are noticeably different from a year ago.
From the outside looking in, the weeks that have come and gone since that thudding season ending loss to McKinney North last November remind this writer of another era.
The one when Criswell brought new life and new blood to the DHS football program in the early 1980s. An era of change that forever altered the face of Denison football.
Will history repeat itself? Rogers shrugs, smiles, and says the proof is in the pudding.
Or more accurately, on the scoreboard.
"Hopefully I've done a better job as a head coach," said Rogers. "There are some things that I should have done a better job with last year."
"We've got a very historic program, one of the most historic programs in the state of Texas - there are a bunch of those out there in a football state like this," he adds. "We've been down the last three years. We have an opportunity to do something about that."
And he fully expects this year's team to do just that, to do something about what has happened in Denison over the past three years.
"Like I've said, we've got the best kids in the state of Texas (right here) in Denison, Texas," said Rogers. "They work extremely hard. We just really feel good about where our team is right now."
The legendary Marty Criswell, the mustachioed man who left Denison with 89 wins in his back pocket, seven district championships, a magical 29-game winning streak, and of course, the epic 16-0 march to the 1984 state championship that was culminated with a 27-13 win over Tomball.
In the two or three occasions that I've mentioned the similarities between himself and Criswell, Rogers has smile and scoffed at the notion.
 |
| While Chad Rogers scoffs at comparisons to Marty Criswell, he likes where his team is at right now as compared to a year ago. |
"I've got a LONG way to go before you can even think about comparing me to Coach Criswell in any way," says Rogers. "He made it great to be a Yellow Jacket. I'm just the latest coach around here who has only two wins on the board."
Exactly as Criswell did after his first season at the helm of the Yellow Jackets. Like Rogers' 2-8 campaign of a year ago, Criswell was 2-8 his first season.
That was followed by a tremendous off-season effort, a culture change if you will, where the Jackets started the in-house transformation from being a losing door-mat program during the 1970s to one of the state's powerhouse programs over the next 30 years.
With that as a backdrop, it has been fascinating for me to watch this off-season as Rogers has gone about implementing change designed to bring back what Denison has been known for over the past three decades.
A tremendously difficult off-season program that brings back a physicality to the game. A winner's mentality that never gives up and never quits. A team first approach that fosters laughter and chemistry in the locker room. And a refusal to lose and accept any excuses.
So much so that the latter - "No Excuses" - is embroidered onto the back of this year's version of the DHS sideline coach's hat.
Will all of this be enough? Enough to reinvent a historic program that has fallen on hard times with a three-year run of 2-8, 3-7, and 2-8 seasons?
Rogers is quick to point out that the proof will be on the field in a few weeks as Denison opens the 2013 regular season. And even more so a few Friday nights later when District 13-4A play begins.
But so far, two and a half weeks into the 2013 fall camp,, he likes what he sees as compared to a year ago.
"I don't like to compare daily or yearly stuff and I don't compare teams (to other teams)," said Rogers. "(But) I know that I really feel good about where we're at."
Last year, Rogers and his staff had barely unpacked the moving boxes before it was time to tee it up and hit the gridiron.
A few days into that season, as the results began to show on the field, Rogers was already making a mental checklist about what needed to happen in Denison between then and now.
That checklist is what has fueled a tremendously difficult off-season of workouts. In fact, some of the Jackets' home-grown coaches have privately opined that this off-season was as difficult as any they had ever been around.
That's saying something.
Change and adjustment is evident all over the map of the program. Tweaking of personnel and of coaching assignments has come. In fact, the player roster and the coaching staff are noticeably different from a year ago.
From the outside looking in, the weeks that have come and gone since that thudding season ending loss to McKinney North last November remind this writer of another era.
The one when Criswell brought new life and new blood to the DHS football program in the early 1980s. An era of change that forever altered the face of Denison football.
Will history repeat itself? Rogers shrugs, smiles, and says the proof is in the pudding.
Or more accurately, on the scoreboard.
"Hopefully I've done a better job as a head coach," said Rogers. "There are some things that I should have done a better job with last year."
"We've got a very historic program, one of the most historic programs in the state of Texas - there are a bunch of those out there in a football state like this," he adds. "We've been down the last three years. We have an opportunity to do something about that."
And he fully expects this year's team to do just that, to do something about what has happened in Denison over the past three years.
"Like I've said, we've got the best kids in the state of Texas (right here) in Denison, Texas," said Rogers. "They work extremely hard. We just really feel good about where our team is right now."
Monday, August 19, 2013
Jackets Dominate Princeton in First 2013 Scrimmage
After a bit of a slow start, the Denison Yellow Jackets roughed up the visiting Princeton Panthers in the first scrimmage action of the season for either team.
By the end of the day, the Herald Democrat's Denison beat writer Jason Della Rosa was enthusiastically giving the Jackets a B+ for their effort on the day.
Denison High School head coach Chad Rogers was equally pleased with his team while admitting there were still a number of things that need ironing out.
"I haven't seen the video yet but I'm proud of the way that we acted out there," said Rogers. "I'm proud of the way that we held our composure and that we were coachable. There's a lot of bright spots from the sidelines but we've got to go watch the video and learn from it."
One thing Rogers was grinning about from ear-to-ear was the obvious progress that the Jackets have made from a year ago.
"I'm very, very excited about where we're at right now, mentally and physically," said Rogers. "Of course, we haven't won a game yet, or haven't even played a game yet, but right now we are 10 times further (along) than we were at this time last year after our first scrimmage."
"We've still got a lot of things to work on but we also saw a lot of good things today," he added.
The scrimmage started out with the Jackets' first team offense and defense showing a little bit of early season nerves and a bit of summertime rust.
"I think everybody had nerves early on, us and them," said Rogers. "That's part of having that first scrimmage and getting it over with and hitting on somebody else."
Afterwards, the Jackets got rolling and put on a show all the way to the scrimmage's conclusion on both sides of the ball.
"I think a lot of that has to do with our physical conditioning," said Rogers. "Our kids have been working really hard in the weight room and they got stronger as the game (scrimmage) went on."
With Baylor quarterback/athlete verbal commit Jourdan Blake (the son of John Blake) guiding Princeton on the afternoon, the Denison first-team defense got its chance to make some early noise.
After spending an entire off-season to shore that unit up, the first team DHS defensive unit drew plenty of interest from the vocal Rogers.
Led by Garrett Hestand, Sergio Orona, and Stephon Collins up front, the Jackets D held Princeton to a total of 45 yards on 17 plays with one touchdown being scored on the final play of the initial session. Three of the Panthers 17 plays totaled 73 yards while the other 14 gave Princeton minus-29 yards.
After that lone first-team touchdown, the Jackets D tightened up and generally contained the Panthers' explosive and high-octane offense the rest of the way.
Highly regarded again this season behind Blake's signal calling, Princeton averaged 40.9 points per game a year ago. The Panthers were a 9-1 District 12-3A runner-up to Melissa a year ago and lost in the region semi-finals to Gainesville.
During the initial first-team session of the afternoon, Jackets linebacker Jordan Heath picked off a tip-drill pass. His defensive mates also gave the Jackets D a turnover on downs and a fourth-down stop of Blake who was sacked on fourth-and-one.
While the dangerous Blake did get two or three nice runs early on, the Jackets D adjusted and kept the heavily recruited QB - before his Baylor verbal commitment, Oklahoma State was in the mix too - from making too much noise the rest of the way.
"The official said he was going to blow a quick whistle when he scrambled out because they wanted us to stay off the quarterbacks," said Rogers. "So part of those early runs were my fault because I told our kids to stay off the quarterback.
"There wasn't anything wrong, they were just doing what they were told to do."
As the day went along, and the quick whistles weren't as forthcoming as originally thought, Rogers unleashed his defensive unit to go make plays.
"Those last 20 plays, we just turned them loose and said 'Go tackle him,'" said Rogers. "He's a very talented athlete and we're going to see a lot of them (this year). I mean we better be ready."
During Denison's second session with its first team D on the field, the unit pitched a shut-out while giving up 42 yards on 14 plays.
In the third and final first-team defensive session, Denison held the Panthers to 14 yards on 10 plays with an interception for a touchdown being stopped as the officials blew the whistle to stop the action.
Afterwards, Rogers - who is taking on a much bigger coaching role with the DHS defense this season - was generally well pleased.
He should have been since the first team unit ended the day by allowing a cumulative 37 yards rushing to Princeton on 28 carries. The Jackets held Blake to a 4-of-12 effort through the air for 64 yards and two interceptions.
What about the offense?
The initial first-team offensive session by Denison featured junior quarterback Chance Rogers connecting with a wide-open Jaleel Dade for a 59-yard touchdown pass, catch, and run that was followed by Wade Walters knocking home the extra-point.
Following that TD, Rogers fumbled a snap that was recovered by Princeton. After that miscue, Denison drove to the Princeton 20 yard line before being stopped on a fourth-and-five incompletion.
For the first session, the Jackets O finished with 125 yards and a touchdown on 16-plays.
The rest of the day brought flashes of brilliance that were often enjoyed by some of Denison's most high-powered offensive squads.
Denison earned 140 yards on 10 plays during the second first-team offense session including a 47-yard TD run by senior running back Denard Whitfield who raced to the end zone untouched. Dade got his second touchdown reception of the afternoon when he turned a screen pass into a 47-yard scoring play.
Denison's first team O closed out the day with a fourth touchdown as back-up QB Will Parker guided the squad on a 70-yard scoring drive that was capped by fullback Colton Henslee's two-yard plunge.
For the day, the Jackets' first team O suffered just one turnover while gaining 149 yards rushing on 23 attempts with two touchdowns. Through the air, the Jackets were 9-of-15 for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
Individually, Rogers was 7-of-12 for 173 yards through the air with two touchdown passes while Whitfield led the way on the ground with six carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. Walters was also perfect on the day kicking extra-points.
After the scrimmage, a happy Rogers told his squad that he was pleased with both their effort and the results.
But he quickly and sternly reminded them that one scrimmage under the belt means nothing with a second scrimmage looming against a powerful Wichita Falls Rider squad on the road next week. And that will be followed up with the season opener on the road a week later against highly regarded Frisco Centennial.
"I think we're a work in progress," said Rogers when asked to summarize the afternoon, which also included a 7-for-11, 111 yard, one touchdown passing effort by backup QB Parker and a 12 for 66 yards, two touchdown rushing effort by fullback Colton Henslee.
"Their effort is an A," he said. "Their coach-ability is an A."
On the defensive side, Rogers said there were a couple of blown assignments that factored in to Princeton's lone first-team touchdown and it's two second-team touchdowns on the day.
"We weren't disciplined there, we were looking into the backfield, jumping offsides and such," said the Jackets head man. "That's coaching. We have to make it important because they do what they are coached and told to do. That falls on me and us as coaches."
And the other side of the ball?
"Offensively, I thought we were right where I thought we would be," said Rogers. "We're able to move the ball and make really good decisions."
For its first public appearance of the 2013 season, there was nothing but good vibes at Munson Stadium from players, coaches, fans, and media that assembled to watch.
Hopefully, the day was a sign of good things - and perhaps very good things - yet to come for the Yellow Jackets' football squad this season.
Time will tell.
By the end of the day, the Herald Democrat's Denison beat writer Jason Della Rosa was enthusiastically giving the Jackets a B+ for their effort on the day.
Denison High School head coach Chad Rogers was equally pleased with his team while admitting there were still a number of things that need ironing out.
"I haven't seen the video yet but I'm proud of the way that we acted out there," said Rogers. "I'm proud of the way that we held our composure and that we were coachable. There's a lot of bright spots from the sidelines but we've got to go watch the video and learn from it."
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| Jackets' QB Chance Rogers warming up prior to the Princeton scrimmage. |
One thing Rogers was grinning about from ear-to-ear was the obvious progress that the Jackets have made from a year ago.
"I'm very, very excited about where we're at right now, mentally and physically," said Rogers. "Of course, we haven't won a game yet, or haven't even played a game yet, but right now we are 10 times further (along) than we were at this time last year after our first scrimmage."
"We've still got a lot of things to work on but we also saw a lot of good things today," he added.
The scrimmage started out with the Jackets' first team offense and defense showing a little bit of early season nerves and a bit of summertime rust.
"I think everybody had nerves early on, us and them," said Rogers. "That's part of having that first scrimmage and getting it over with and hitting on somebody else."
Afterwards, the Jackets got rolling and put on a show all the way to the scrimmage's conclusion on both sides of the ball.
"I think a lot of that has to do with our physical conditioning," said Rogers. "Our kids have been working really hard in the weight room and they got stronger as the game (scrimmage) went on."
With Baylor quarterback/athlete verbal commit Jourdan Blake (the son of John Blake) guiding Princeton on the afternoon, the Denison first-team defense got its chance to make some early noise.
After spending an entire off-season to shore that unit up, the first team DHS defensive unit drew plenty of interest from the vocal Rogers.
Led by Garrett Hestand, Sergio Orona, and Stephon Collins up front, the Jackets D held Princeton to a total of 45 yards on 17 plays with one touchdown being scored on the final play of the initial session. Three of the Panthers 17 plays totaled 73 yards while the other 14 gave Princeton minus-29 yards.
After that lone first-team touchdown, the Jackets D tightened up and generally contained the Panthers' explosive and high-octane offense the rest of the way.
Highly regarded again this season behind Blake's signal calling, Princeton averaged 40.9 points per game a year ago. The Panthers were a 9-1 District 12-3A runner-up to Melissa a year ago and lost in the region semi-finals to Gainesville.
During the initial first-team session of the afternoon, Jackets linebacker Jordan Heath picked off a tip-drill pass. His defensive mates also gave the Jackets D a turnover on downs and a fourth-down stop of Blake who was sacked on fourth-and-one.
While the dangerous Blake did get two or three nice runs early on, the Jackets D adjusted and kept the heavily recruited QB - before his Baylor verbal commitment, Oklahoma State was in the mix too - from making too much noise the rest of the way.
"The official said he was going to blow a quick whistle when he scrambled out because they wanted us to stay off the quarterbacks," said Rogers. "So part of those early runs were my fault because I told our kids to stay off the quarterback.
"There wasn't anything wrong, they were just doing what they were told to do."
As the day went along, and the quick whistles weren't as forthcoming as originally thought, Rogers unleashed his defensive unit to go make plays.
"Those last 20 plays, we just turned them loose and said 'Go tackle him,'" said Rogers. "He's a very talented athlete and we're going to see a lot of them (this year). I mean we better be ready."
During Denison's second session with its first team D on the field, the unit pitched a shut-out while giving up 42 yards on 14 plays.
In the third and final first-team defensive session, Denison held the Panthers to 14 yards on 10 plays with an interception for a touchdown being stopped as the officials blew the whistle to stop the action.
Afterwards, Rogers - who is taking on a much bigger coaching role with the DHS defense this season - was generally well pleased.
He should have been since the first team unit ended the day by allowing a cumulative 37 yards rushing to Princeton on 28 carries. The Jackets held Blake to a 4-of-12 effort through the air for 64 yards and two interceptions.
What about the offense?
The initial first-team offensive session by Denison featured junior quarterback Chance Rogers connecting with a wide-open Jaleel Dade for a 59-yard touchdown pass, catch, and run that was followed by Wade Walters knocking home the extra-point.
Following that TD, Rogers fumbled a snap that was recovered by Princeton. After that miscue, Denison drove to the Princeton 20 yard line before being stopped on a fourth-and-five incompletion.
For the first session, the Jackets O finished with 125 yards and a touchdown on 16-plays.
The rest of the day brought flashes of brilliance that were often enjoyed by some of Denison's most high-powered offensive squads.
Denison earned 140 yards on 10 plays during the second first-team offense session including a 47-yard TD run by senior running back Denard Whitfield who raced to the end zone untouched. Dade got his second touchdown reception of the afternoon when he turned a screen pass into a 47-yard scoring play.
Denison's first team O closed out the day with a fourth touchdown as back-up QB Will Parker guided the squad on a 70-yard scoring drive that was capped by fullback Colton Henslee's two-yard plunge.
For the day, the Jackets' first team O suffered just one turnover while gaining 149 yards rushing on 23 attempts with two touchdowns. Through the air, the Jackets were 9-of-15 for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
Individually, Rogers was 7-of-12 for 173 yards through the air with two touchdown passes while Whitfield led the way on the ground with six carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. Walters was also perfect on the day kicking extra-points.
After the scrimmage, a happy Rogers told his squad that he was pleased with both their effort and the results.
But he quickly and sternly reminded them that one scrimmage under the belt means nothing with a second scrimmage looming against a powerful Wichita Falls Rider squad on the road next week. And that will be followed up with the season opener on the road a week later against highly regarded Frisco Centennial.
"I think we're a work in progress," said Rogers when asked to summarize the afternoon, which also included a 7-for-11, 111 yard, one touchdown passing effort by backup QB Parker and a 12 for 66 yards, two touchdown rushing effort by fullback Colton Henslee.
"Their effort is an A," he said. "Their coach-ability is an A."
On the defensive side, Rogers said there were a couple of blown assignments that factored in to Princeton's lone first-team touchdown and it's two second-team touchdowns on the day.
"We weren't disciplined there, we were looking into the backfield, jumping offsides and such," said the Jackets head man. "That's coaching. We have to make it important because they do what they are coached and told to do. That falls on me and us as coaches."
And the other side of the ball?
"Offensively, I thought we were right where I thought we would be," said Rogers. "We're able to move the ball and make really good decisions."
For its first public appearance of the 2013 season, there was nothing but good vibes at Munson Stadium from players, coaches, fans, and media that assembled to watch.
Hopefully, the day was a sign of good things - and perhaps very good things - yet to come for the Yellow Jackets' football squad this season.
Time will tell.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Jackets Host 2013 Photo Day at Indoor Facility
One of the most anticipated events each year for any member of the Denison Yellow Jackets football program is getting in on the official team photo session.
That opportunity took place on Saturday afternoon as players, coaches, school officials, family members, and interested observers gathered at the Denison High School indoors practice facility.
Following their first week of fall workouts, Chad Rogers and his squad put on their Friday-night best to show off the black-and-gold colors to the team's official photographer, Brian Eaves.
"This is exciting, don't you think?" queried a smiling Rogers, about to begin his second year as the head football coach and athletic director in Denison.
On what was a surprisingly mild August afternoon, the freshmen, junior varsity, and varsity squads met to have individual shots and team photos taken.
As Eaves and his crew did the official work, numerous I-Phone and digital photos were also snapped by eager parents and friends of the 2013 DHS squad.
Following the players photo session, Eaves then took the official Denison High coaching staff photo. That was quickly followed by photos of the DHS coaches with their families.
Throughout the entire process, there were numerous laughs, lots of backslaps and smiles, and plenty of high expectations that the Jackets are about to embark on a very successful 2013 campaign.
Rogers believes that will include a run at the District 13-4A championship, a return to the Class 4A playoffs for the first time since 2009, and returning the Battle Axe back home to Denison.
"We're planning on playing for sixteen weeks this fall," said Rogers.
Look for the official Denison team photo and individual photos on Sept. 13 when DHS game programs go on sale for the first time as the Jackets host Frisco Liberty for the 2013 home opener at Munson Stadium.
That opportunity took place on Saturday afternoon as players, coaches, school officials, family members, and interested observers gathered at the Denison High School indoors practice facility.
 |
| The 2013 Yellow Jackets on Photo Day. |
Following their first week of fall workouts, Chad Rogers and his squad put on their Friday-night best to show off the black-and-gold colors to the team's official photographer, Brian Eaves.
"This is exciting, don't you think?" queried a smiling Rogers, about to begin his second year as the head football coach and athletic director in Denison.
On what was a surprisingly mild August afternoon, the freshmen, junior varsity, and varsity squads met to have individual shots and team photos taken.
As Eaves and his crew did the official work, numerous I-Phone and digital photos were also snapped by eager parents and friends of the 2013 DHS squad.
Following the players photo session, Eaves then took the official Denison High coaching staff photo. That was quickly followed by photos of the DHS coaches with their families.
Throughout the entire process, there were numerous laughs, lots of backslaps and smiles, and plenty of high expectations that the Jackets are about to embark on a very successful 2013 campaign.
Rogers believes that will include a run at the District 13-4A championship, a return to the Class 4A playoffs for the first time since 2009, and returning the Battle Axe back home to Denison.
"We're planning on playing for sixteen weeks this fall," said Rogers.
Look for the official Denison team photo and individual photos on Sept. 13 when DHS game programs go on sale for the first time as the Jackets host Frisco Liberty for the 2013 home opener at Munson Stadium.
DHS Caps First Week With "Meet the Jackets" Night
For the second time since Chad Rogers came to Denison, a mid-August evening was a chance for Denison football fans to get together and celebrate the approach of the fall gridiron season
That happened Saturday evening at Munson Stadium when more than a thousand people gathered to witness the second annual "Meet the Jackets" night.
Rogers, about to begin his second year at the helm of the Yellow Jackets' program, was quite pleased with the size of the crowd and the enthusiasm it showed.
"It was awesome!," said Rogers. "We had a great crowd and got to recognize some cross country (athletes), cheerleaders, the Stingerettes, the football team, the volleyball team, etc. The participation numbers are way up and it was a really exciting night."
The celebratory night of all things black and gold capped the Jackets' first week of fall practice which was a week earlier than most 4A programs on the team's schedule.
That earlier entrance into two-a-day workouts came when Rogers opted to skip spring football earlier this year in lieu of gaining an extra week of August workouts and an extra scrimmage.
How did that first week of workouts go?
"We really feel comfortable with where we're at," said Rogers. "I really like where our team's attitude is, their mental toughness, the way that they're learning the game. It's been a great first week, it's been one of the best first weeks I've been around as far as learning the game (goes)."
Following Friday's first day on the field in pads, Rogers admits that he's interested to see how contact goes this next week.
"We're getting our bodies into shape (for contact)," he said. "Right now, I think it was a gain for us to (choose this extra week of fall practice)."
The Denison head coach says that he is also very pleased with the mental side of the Jackets' game so far.
"I was talking to Coach Knox, our o-line coach, and he was talking about how good the retention is because we have so many returners back," said Rogers. "There's a lot of retention carryover.
"That's what you kind of build off of (with a team like this)," he added. "When you have spring ball (and) you don't have a lot of returners, (then) you work through it (spring ball) and you want to teach the game so that there's retention in the fall."
So what does all of this coach speak mean?
"We think we've done the right thing," said Rogers. "We'll know in a couple of weeks."
That of course, will be on Aug. 30 when the Jackets travel to Frisco to open the 2013 regular season against the Centennial Titans.
One of several rising programs in the Frisco ISD, the Titans have gone 19-1 over the past two regular seasons with back-to-back District 9-4A championships. That recent success includes a 45-9 win against Denison last year at Munson Stadium in what was Rogers first game as the head coach of the Jackets.
The Titans has also enjoyed plenty of playoff success during the past two years, losing 52-31 to Corsicana in the third round of the 4A Division II playoffs in 2011. Last year the Titans fell to Tyler John Tyler by a 38-24 count in the Class 4A Division I Quarterfinals
While the Jackets have plenty of "remember the Titans" moments from last season to fuel them over the next two weeks, the second week of fall practices will bring preparation for a Saturday morning scrimmage at Munson Stadium against 3A Princeton High.
The freshmen will scrimmage first, followed by the JV. The Princeton scrimmage will be capped when the 2013 Jackets varsity hits the field around 11:30 a.m.
With a week of work to go before that public unveiling of his 2013 team, Rogers is looking for a strong showing next Saturday.
"I know that if our kids keep working as hard as they are, they keep paying attention to the details, and they keep developing the team chemistry that's coming together, it's an exciting time."
That happened Saturday evening at Munson Stadium when more than a thousand people gathered to witness the second annual "Meet the Jackets" night.
 |
| DHS takes to the field for the 2013 "Meet the Jackets" night at Munson Stadium. |
Rogers, about to begin his second year at the helm of the Yellow Jackets' program, was quite pleased with the size of the crowd and the enthusiasm it showed.
"It was awesome!," said Rogers. "We had a great crowd and got to recognize some cross country (athletes), cheerleaders, the Stingerettes, the football team, the volleyball team, etc. The participation numbers are way up and it was a really exciting night."
The celebratory night of all things black and gold capped the Jackets' first week of fall practice which was a week earlier than most 4A programs on the team's schedule.
That earlier entrance into two-a-day workouts came when Rogers opted to skip spring football earlier this year in lieu of gaining an extra week of August workouts and an extra scrimmage.
How did that first week of workouts go?
"We really feel comfortable with where we're at," said Rogers. "I really like where our team's attitude is, their mental toughness, the way that they're learning the game. It's been a great first week, it's been one of the best first weeks I've been around as far as learning the game (goes)."
Following Friday's first day on the field in pads, Rogers admits that he's interested to see how contact goes this next week.
"We're getting our bodies into shape (for contact)," he said. "Right now, I think it was a gain for us to (choose this extra week of fall practice)."
The Denison head coach says that he is also very pleased with the mental side of the Jackets' game so far.
"I was talking to Coach Knox, our o-line coach, and he was talking about how good the retention is because we have so many returners back," said Rogers. "There's a lot of retention carryover.
"That's what you kind of build off of (with a team like this)," he added. "When you have spring ball (and) you don't have a lot of returners, (then) you work through it (spring ball) and you want to teach the game so that there's retention in the fall."
"We think we've done the right thing," said Rogers. "We'll know in a couple of weeks."
That of course, will be on Aug. 30 when the Jackets travel to Frisco to open the 2013 regular season against the Centennial Titans.
One of several rising programs in the Frisco ISD, the Titans have gone 19-1 over the past two regular seasons with back-to-back District 9-4A championships. That recent success includes a 45-9 win against Denison last year at Munson Stadium in what was Rogers first game as the head coach of the Jackets.
The Titans has also enjoyed plenty of playoff success during the past two years, losing 52-31 to Corsicana in the third round of the 4A Division II playoffs in 2011. Last year the Titans fell to Tyler John Tyler by a 38-24 count in the Class 4A Division I Quarterfinals
While the Jackets have plenty of "remember the Titans" moments from last season to fuel them over the next two weeks, the second week of fall practices will bring preparation for a Saturday morning scrimmage at Munson Stadium against 3A Princeton High.
The freshmen will scrimmage first, followed by the JV. The Princeton scrimmage will be capped when the 2013 Jackets varsity hits the field around 11:30 a.m.
With a week of work to go before that public unveiling of his 2013 team, Rogers is looking for a strong showing next Saturday.
"I know that if our kids keep working as hard as they are, they keep paying attention to the details, and they keep developing the team chemistry that's coming together, it's an exciting time."
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