Grapeland Sandies Football 2016
Sandies Hoping For a Return to Greatness
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
GRAPELAND – Don’t look now, but Grapeland football may be back! Athletic Director/Coach Wayne Mahaffey’s second year at the helm of the football program has hopes sky high for a return to gridiron greatness in the Queen City of the Sand Flats.
And why not?
With a total of 27 returners and an improved overall attitude, the Sandies are expected to contend for the district title. They also have a swagger in their stride which was apparent on the first day the pads came out.
“We have nearly everybody coming back. We’re looking at 27 or 28 that played last year. At quarterback we have Rick Frauenberger as the starter and Riley Chipman as the backup. Both of them have plenty of experience at the position. Rick really came on as a freshman and had an outstanding year throwing the football. From a running standpoint, we have Riley – and make no mistake – Riley can throw the ball a little bit. We feel like we’re very solid at quarterback,” Coach Mahaffey said.
Joining Frauenberger in the backfield will be Kamari Smith and Brayden Cheatham.
“Those are the two we are looking to be the main contributors. We also have some young kids who will hopefully step up and contribute,” he explained.
On the outside, the coach said, “Rodney Davis is back, Riley Chipman will play outside and Tink McQuirter will also be there. Plus, we should get contributions from James Coleman, Josh Ackley and some others like Case Boyd. We’re at least two deep on receivers.”
The offensive line has seen its challenges over the last few years, but according to Mahaffey, this is probably the strongest it has been in the three years (one year as offensive coordinator) he’s been back in Grapeland.
“This is the best offensive line in the three years I’ve been here. We finally have some seniors. From the center to the left side we have Cameron Riess, Dustin Ackley and Joel Barbosa. All three of them are seniors and all three of them are three year starters. They have some experience, they have some size and they’ve improved in strength. For the first time since I’ve been here, we’ll have three seniors on the line. The most we’ve ever played is one. We had one two years ago and we had one last year,” he said.
“We’ll have sophomore Jacob Barbosa at right guard,” he continued. “He started there as a freshman last year and right now, Ashton Henry will probably be the starter at right tackle. He’s a junior, runs well and he’s strong. We have a little size this year to put up front.”
As far as the team’s biggest strength, Mahaffey said, “I think our biggest strength is the knowledge and understanding about what we’re trying to do offensively. We have already put in more offense in the last few days than we had all last season. That’s because they understand it so well. Their retention has been really good. We put it in more stuff in the first four days than we did in the first four weeks last year. From there, we have a quarterback that’s capable of throwing the ball really well. We also have the receivers to make it worthwhile. We’re really solid on offense and we feel it could be a really good year.”
Defensively, the line will feature the same starters as in 2015.
“We have Jesse West and Blake Howard at defensive end. The only one who will double up is Joel Barbosa, but we have about four others who can play, so he won’t have to go both ways all night.”
In the linebacker corps, Mahaffey said Dustin Ackley has been moved from the defensive line to LB.
“Kamari Smith is back and was All-State last year. Aaron Davis was a backup last year and he’s back. We’ve also taken Ashton Henry from the defensive line and moved him to linebacker. We have four solid LBs and we have a freshman who has done some things in practice, so far,” he said.
“Secondary-wise, you have Tink, Riley and Rodney. Those three – they’re just solid players. We’re going to have to find one more DB. Whether that’s a corner or a safety, I don’t know who’s going to step up,” Mahaffey said.
“Our first three games are a big test. We play two 3A schools and Groveton. Groveton throws the ball and they score a lot of points. Kountze is the first ballgame and Buffalo is the third ballgame. They’re both 3A DI schools. They’re bigger than us and we play them early in the season when it’s hot. Cramps typically happen in those games so we’re trying to get in the best shape we possibly can. Hopefully, with all the running we’re doing, it will make up for the fact that they have more people than we do. Those are important ballgames for us. In district, Tenaha is the team to beat right now. I think they’re ranked number two in the state. If there’s a target in district – you know you have to play well against them,” he said.
HOW I SEE IT: The Sandies open the 2016 season on the road against Kountze and should pick up the win. They return home the next week to renew an old rivalry with Groveton. It will be a high scoring affair, but in the end the Sandies will not be able to point enough points on the board. Against Buffalo, if the Sandies can get their offense going they can win. The game is in Buffalo, however, and expect the Sandies to fall. After that, Grapeland looks solid the remainder of the season and into district until they run into Timpson. Overall the Sandies finish 7-3 and take the second seed heading into the playoffs.
