The Marcus Marauder football program rose to statewide prominence in the mid-90s when the school posted a 35-7 record in a three year period from 1995 to 1997.  Marcus made two state championship appearances in that time frame (‘95, ‘97- state champions).  In the nine seasons after winning the state title in 1997, Marcus failed to make the playoffs in eight.  The best record in the 1998-2006 time frame was a 6-4 effort in 2001.  Marcus went 4-7 in the one playoff season (2003).  After a 5-5 2006 season, Marcus made a coaching change and hired Bryan Erwin from 4A powerhouse La Marque .  Erwin won two state championships as La Marque ’s head coach in 2003 and 2006.  Marcus posted a 9-3 record in Erwin’s first year.  It was the Marauders’ most successful effort since the 1997 team’s record shattering run to state.  Marcus finished tied for second in district 6-5A behind Hebron, but were actually the only team to beat the Hawks in district play (21-10 score).  Marcus returns 17 starters (9 offense, 8 defense).

          One of the most significant aspects of Marcus’ season last year is that they won games with a young roster overall.  27 juniors and sophomores suited out on a roster of 62 players overall, so almost half of the team returns to build on success in 2008.  Junior Stephen Hopkins returns to boost the offense.  Hopkins ran for 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore.  Hopkins will be a definite focal point of defensive game plans this fall, but opponents must also respect the Marauders’ perimeter threat.  Senior WR Joel Free (6’4 202) was the top receiver for Marcus last year and his presence will demand respect from defenses.  Senior WR Alex Finley also started last year.  Junior TE Rhett Butler (6’4 225) is a big target entering his second varsity season.  Junior QB Brad L'Hullier moves up from the sub-varsity ranks and will start this season.  He will have no shortage of playmaking options.

          And there’s also the prospect of dealing with a line that features returning senior all-district selections in Ty Cloud (6’4 295), Cameron Hickey (6’2 275) and Chase Douglass (6’6 270).  Senior OG Justin Rayome is another returning starter.  This is one of the best lines in the state.  Overall, the offense has the potential to improve this year because of the returning talent and experience at the skill positions and on the line.

          With Coach Erwin's arrival, Marcus made perhaps their greatest strides on defense.  The Marauders allowed just 13.9 points per game in 2007  (#10 in the state) after allowing over 20 points per in each of the previous two seasons.  La Marque has always been known for their defense, and it looks like Coach Erwin and company brought some of that up Interstate 45. 

          Junior DL Daniel Noble (6’4 275) returns after earning all-district honors as a sophomore.  Senior DL Chris Olson is another returning letterman who started last season, and is a team captain.  Senior Landon Bannister has moved from linebacker to the defensive line.

          Linebacker looks like the strong suit of the defense with three returning all-district talents in senior Taylor Hardin (5’9 160), senior James Holt (6’0 175) and senior Dylan Blount (5’11 205).  Senior OLB Beau Glover is a returning starter and team captain.  This is a very experienced unit overall.  Senior cornerback Zach Williams and senior safety Sean Williams lead the secondary.

          Marcus will be challenged to build off of last year’s success in a tough 6-5A district, but this is a team no one should take lightly given their experience.  Coach Erwin and his staff have proven track records, and Marcus has certainly proven its pedigree as a football program in the past.  It will be very interesting to see how the Marauder program advances under the new leadership.  Marcus has the returning talent to improve on last year’s effort and the schedule will have them battle tested come playoff time.  

 

2008  Team  Outlook

Pre-Season State Top 25:  15th Pre-Season Rank (Region):  7th (2) Pre-Season Rank (District):  2nd (6) Returning Offensive Starters:  8 RB Stephen Hopkins (Jr.) * '07 Dist. So. Off. MVP WR Joel Free (Sr.) WR Alex Finley (Sr.) TE Rhett Butler (Sr.) OG Cameron Hickey (Sr.) OT Ty Cloud (Sr.) OT Chase Douglass (Sr.) OG Justin Rayome (Sr.) Returning Defensive Starters:  9 DL Daniel Noble (Jr.) * '07 Dist. Soph Def. MVP DL Chris Olson (Sr.) DL/ILB Landon Bannister (Sr.) OLB Tyler Hardin (Sr.) OLB Beau Glover (Sr.) ILB Dylan Blount (Sr.) OLB Jamison Holt (Sr.) CB Zach Williams (Sr.) S Sean Williams (Sr.) All-State Players (Team): 1 OT Ty Cloud (3rd) RB Stephen Hopkins (Junior) Returning All-District Players:  9 TE Rhett Butler (1st) OG Cameron Hickey (1st) OT Ty Cloud (1st) LB Taylor Hardin (1st) WR Joel Free (2nd) OT Chase Douglass (2nd) LB Jamison Holt (2nd) RB Stephen Hopkins (Off. So. of the Year) DL Daniel Noble (Def. So. of the Year) Other Players to Watch: QB Brad L'Huillier (Jr.) RB Tylar Epps (Sr.) FB Jared LeBon (Jr.)   2008 Schedule (Stadium): 8/28     Grapevine (Goldsmith) 9/5       @ Plano West (John Clark) 9/12     Keller Fossil Ridge (Goldsmith) 9/20     @ Katy (Waco ISD Complex) 9/27     @ Tyler Lee (Rose) 10/3     OPEN 10/10   @ Lewisville (Max Goldsmith) 1017    Southlake Carroll (Goldsmith) 10/24   @ Coppell (Buddy Echols) 10/31   @ Flower Mound (Neal Wilson Ath.) 11/7     Lewisville Hebron (Goldsmith) Opponents Combined Record: 76-37 Projected 2008 Record: 8-2 Key Games (Rank): vs. Keller Fossil Ridge @   Katy @   Tyler Lee @   Lewisville vs. Southlake Carroll vs.  Lewisville Hebron Strength of Schedule (Rank): 40.50 (2nd) Unit Rankings: #1 Offensive Line #7 Linebackers #5 Total Defense The Bottom Line: Strengths: 3 Returning All-District LB's Great OL & Highly Productive RB Great Coaching Staff Weaknesses: Offense Must Improve to Advance Deeper