Things could have gone better for coach Aric Sardinea in his first year to guide the Elsik Rams in the Alief ISD. After the program made the playoffs in six of the previous seven years, Elsik went 1-9 in 2016 and went winless in District 23-6A.
Elsik lost two non-district road games (Dulles and Stratford) to start the season before getting its win over Eisenhower, 26-12. But three more straight losses to Houston Lamar, Pearland and Alief Taylor sent the Rams spiraling toward November.
The Rams averaged 10.5 points a game while giving up nearly 36 each Friday night.
Key Losses
TB Osasu Iyawe, WR Kamron Smith, DT Exavior Lowe
Osasu averaged 4 yards per carry and Kamron Smith led the team in receiving yards (364) and touchdown receptions (2).
Key Returners
QB Isaiah Ibeto, OLB Charles Ijomah, DB Amos Coleman
Ibeto led the team in rushing (284 yards, 4 TDs) and passing (493 yards, 4 TDs) last year as a junior. James Wadsworth was second on the team in receiving with 309 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Ijomah was an all-district player who led the Rams with 74 total tackles and six sacks. Lawrence Holliday was second on the team with 71 tackles and Coleman was an all-district player as a freshman. Kaylon Henley had two sacks last year — second on the team.
Verdict
The newness of a new coach should have worn off before the start of the 2017 season for Elsik, which returns good skill players.
The season starts with two home games and a road game at Eisenhower, which means the Rams could start with three wins — tripling last year’s total.
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