Football: Welcoming party: Creekview opens against first-year program Chisholm Trail

It has been four years since Creekview's football team last appeared in the postseason.

But if fall camp is any indication, the Mustangs are taking the necessary strides to break their drought and compete for a playoff spot out of District 10-4A, which includes the likes of Newman Smith, Highland Park, Forney, Mesquite Poteet, North Forney, Terrell and West Mesquite.

Creekview opens its season at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Saginaw Chisholm Trail after scrimmaging last Friday against Trimble Tech.

"Our fall camp was the best we've had since I have been here," said Jay Cline, Creekview head coach. "It was very energetic and it looks like the players have come back with a new attitude. It was more physical than any camp I've been a part of and I was really pleased with the intensity and attitude."

One reason for Cline's excitement is the return of multiple key performers from last year, including junior quarterback David Blough, who threw for 1,586 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2011.

"David has been outstanding," Cline said. "He had a great spring and summer and now camp. We're really excited to have him back. He's really developed not only on the field but from a leadership aspect. And he's a guy that can not only throw, but can get out and run."

Blough should have plenty of weapons at his disposal with the return of receiver RaQuan Dobbs following an ACL injury. Dez Mitchell and Griffin Lazor provide more options in the passing game.

"We're excited to have RaQuan back," Cline said. "He and Griffin give us a couple of good possession-type receivers and Dez is more of the explosive player. I've also been very pleased from our receivers with how physical they have been and how good of job they have been doing blocking."

As the offense continues to transition to the I-formation, Creekview will also incorporate tight ends Austin Young, Mitch Martinez and Markus Hardy.

Dylan Kittrell, meanwhile, shifts to fullback after playing receiver last season.

The Mustangs will feature include Johnny Jones and Deven Barnes in the backfield.

"Johnny is back and he had a big year for us last season," Cline said. "And Barnes just gives us even more depth and another option back there."

Last season, Jones gained 362 yards (5.75 yards per carry) with three touchdowns.

"We're going to look to establish the run much more this season out of the I-formation," Cline said. "That will help us establish the play-action pass and we're also focusing on our ball security."

The play of the offensive line will be critical in pounding the football. And despite just one returning lineman (Omar Pereira), Cline likes what he has seen up front.

"They've done a great job so far," he said. "We have pretty good size and also good depth. We have seven or eight guys that we can count on to compete and get the job done. And we have a sophomore named Larry Hughes who is going to be a good one."

While Cline is hopeful for a productive offense, it is the defense that really has him excited.

"We had to replace lots on defense, but I still like the depth we have on that side of the ball," he said. "We're going to be a little smaller than we have been in the past, but we're also going to be much quicker."

The strength of the defense resides in the backfield where plenty of experienced talent returns.

Safety Jordyn Peeler is the leader of the defense and is supported in the secondary by Jordan Jones and Jordan Coleman.

"Jordyn is a guy that I can't speak any more highly of," Cline said. "He is a great leader and a great player. He plays physical and is coming off an all-district season. Coleman is also back after being our Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and Jones is just another playmaker for us back there."

Ryan Allo and Savon Logan are fighting for the other starting cornerback position.

Cameron Adkins and Kiet Nguyen will man outside linebacker for Creekview with Tyler Cuccia inside. Former running back Adrian Williams, as well as Josh Edwards and Alex Vasquez, are jockeying for the other starting spot on the inside.

"I think we're going to better at linebacker than we have been in the past," Cline said. "Cam, Kiet and Tyler each had great springs. We aren't having anyone play two ways this season, which is helping out with our depth. So Adrian is just playing defense and we expect big things from him. Unfortunately, he sprained his ankle and so far we haven't named a starter for that inside spot."

Creekview's questions on defense come in the front where the Mustangs have three new starters.

"It's a work in progress right now," Cline said. "We have a couple of guys that changed positions and are transitioning. We're going to be a little smaller, but I like our quickness and ability to make plays there."

Tyler Allen switches to the defensive front after playing tight end last season, while nose guard Malcolm Frederick is moving from linebacker. Josh Garcias rounds out the front at defensive end.

"Like coach (Paul) Ressa over at Newman Smith says 'we want to swarm and punish,' on defense," Cline said. "I think we have a talented and balanced defense. We just need to continue to improve in our physicality."

On special teams, Blough will punt while also competing with Christian Guerra for kicking duties.

Creekview's last chance for work came last Friday when it scrimmaged Trimble Tech.

"I was pleased our offense came out and opened it up the first possession," Cline said. "We went right down there and scored. We had too many turnovers, which is something we are working on, but we were also able to force four turnovers. The most pleasing thing, though, was our organization. For this point of the season, everyone was in the right place and we didn't have very many busts at all. We had a nice 50-50 run-pass split and averaged five yards per carry rushing and six yards per pass."

The Mustangs goal for the season is four yards per carry and six through the air.

Creekview opens the season at 7:30 p.m. Friday when it travels to face Chisholm Trail, which is entering its first season as a football program.

"It's interesting," Cline said. "They're a new school, so we're pretty much going in blind. We got to see a little of their scrimmage, but other than that we don't know too much. We're just excited to get the season started and I think you are going to see a change in tradition and culture this year."

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