Follett High School

Follett Panthers: District 1 D-I 6-Man

Follett Panthers 2009

Most coaches dream of making it to a state championship game just once in their careers, but Follett coach John York did it in only his second season. Having led his team to an 11-2 record in his first season, the young coach proved his first year’s success was no fluke and guided his team through three relatively easy playoff wins before losing in the Six Man Division I final to Strawn. This was the same team that had spoiled the Panthers’ season opener. York’s overall record at Follett is now 22-5.

After a 46-0 opening loss to eventual state champion Strawn, the Panthers showed their muscle by outscoring Hart, Miami and Kress 57-6 in their next three games.  Two closer wins to generally strong Vernon Northside (55-48) and Throckmorton (57-46) followed.

The Panthers lost their second regular season game to perennial six-man power Valley, 28-30 in their district opener, but rebounded to blank Fort Elliott 50-0 and close out the regular season with lopsided victories over McLean and Happy.
The Panthers rolled through their first three playoff games with a 56-30 win over Ropes, a close 44-39 victory over Meadow and a 64-42 thumping of Fort Davis that earned the team a place in the state final and a rematch with Strawn. “We made a really great run but came up a little short (29-58) against a really good team in Strawn,” York said.

With only four lettermen lost and two athletes returning who each accounted for over 1,000 yards of rushing or passing as well as an all-state defensive lineman/running back, York hopes his third year at Follett will be the charm in winning the state championship game. “The kids have been working really hard and have a taste of post season success,” York said.  “They are hungry to continue this trend.”

York has the luxury of four post-season decorated leaders to aide in “continuing the trend”.   Seniors Boone Tyson and Luke Lobmeyer, as well as juniors Braden Blau and Cole Freeman, return with gaudy statistics and the drive that comes from being one win short of a state championship. Blau (5-10, 155) is a member of the all-state team and leads the team in both passing and tackling.  The first-team all-state player as a sophomore threw for 1,453 yards and 31 touchdowns. The young passer had one of the best completion ratios in the state with 92 completions and only four interceptions.  Defensively, Blau accounted for 54 solo tackles and 103 assists.
Lobmeyer was also chosen to the all-state team.  The lineman had 18 tackles and 80 assists on defense and also contributed two touchdowns as a receiver.

Tyson (5-7, 160, 4.7) returns as the leading rusher with 1,295 yards and 16 touchdowns.  The running back was an honorable mention all-state pick his junior year and hopes to move up to the all-state first team in his final campaign.
Freeman is the fourth player returning to be picked for an all-state team.  The two-way starter received honorable mention all-state honors and is the top receiver returning and is second behind Blau in solo tackles with 38.

Having four all-state caliber players returning in six-man football is almost unheard of. York also expects several other players to step up to help in trying to win the district title over Valley and move deep into the playoffs in this ’09 season.
Reese Hamill, Clint Al-ag, Sean Durfey and Quentin Chadwick return as “players to watch” along with promising newcomers Corey Tyson and Kendall Hamill.

The Panthers open their season at the 6-Man Classic in Hico against Abbott on August 29 before playing Hart on September 4. After an open week, Kress will come to Follett on September 8.  The final two non-district tune-ups will be against a strong Vernon Northside and a solid Throckmorton contingent, which should help York determine how strong his team is going into district play, which begins on the road with last year’s champion, Valley, on October 9. The Panthers return home October 16 to play Fort Elliott then play Midland Trinity in a non-district game October 24. A game at McLean on October 30 and Homecoming against Happy conclude the regular season.