Red Raiders ready to turn it around in 2011

Published 8:07 pm Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Robert E. Lee opens up the regular season Aug. 26 at Euless Trinity. That gives new interim head coach Randy Huffstickler 14 practice days to get ready.

The work began in earnest Monday morning at the Lee practice fields. The players were greeted by milder temperatures and a continuous breeze.

Of the 141 expected to be participating, Huffstickler said nearly all were in shorts and helmets ready to go.

“We were missing a handful because they had to go get physicals, but overall a real productive (first practice) I thought,” Huffstickler said. “Just like I told them we have a long way to go and a short time to get there.

“(Tuesday) we will try and install some more and (keep working the rest of the week) and start back over when we put the pads on Friday. Everybody looked like they were in good shape. I was real pleased with that aspect of it.”

Lee junior tailback LaQuintas Wallace is fully healthy, Huffstickler said it showed during the offensive team drills.

“I thought he looked great. He’s completely healthy. We held him out of some 7-on-7 stuff (this summer) and I thought he looked fast; looked like he’s in shape,” Huffstickler said. “He’s running 30 or 40 yards down the field on each carry.”

This is also the second year for senior quarterback Joseph Seeber to prepare for the Trojans. The Red Raiders were using new snap counts while the offense worked a few new wrinkles, calling for Seeber to use a sprint roll out of the pocket.

“I thought we looked great with this being the first day, especially with regards to conditioning,” Seeber said. “I like running out a lot more because that kind of gives me the choice; I can throw it, and if it’s not there. It gives me more room to run. That is something I definitely want to work on this fall is running the ball.”

RAIDER RAP: Lee’s coaching staff has shuffled with Huffstickler remaining the defensive coordinator, along with Willie Williams (secondary) and Jerry Reed (defensive line). Brent Young is the new linebackers coach. Gary Fleet is the new offensive coordinator along with remaining offensive line coach. Elgin Johnson moves to running backs coach with David Howard now the quarterbacks coach. Dow Wynn will coach receivers.