The Bellaire Cardinals had five impressive wins in 2016, but then there were six losses that were less than desirable.
For the season, Bellaire averaged 32.1 points a game while allowing a nearly-even 31.5 a game. That’s what happens when a team has blowout wins combined with lopsided losses.
Bellaire started the season with a pair of losses to Clear Brook and Clear Falls. The Cardinals then put together a 5-1 stretch that included four-consecutive District 18-6A victories, but only to end with losses to Lamar and Westside, and then Cy Ranch in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
The Cardinals have now made the playoffs in seven straight seasons and look to keep that streak alive in 2017.
Key Losses
RB Robert Atlee, WR Alex Spadone, LB Jackson Twyman
Atlee had 141 rushing attempts for 911 yards and nine touchdowns, and he added 23 receptions out of the backfield for 177 yards and another score. Additionally, he completed 5-of-7 passes for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Spadone had 35 catches for 516 yards and five touchdown catches and had three rushing touchdowns.
Twyman recorded a team-high 101 tackles, had two sacks and four quarterback hurries.
Key Returners
QB Darion Manning, WR/RB Kealon Jackson, RB John Busby
Manning threw for 2,001 yards and 15 touchdowns last season as a junior and posted a 99.8 passer rating and was a first-team all-district selection. He has two big targets returning with him in Jackson and Jarvis Howard.
Jackson was the 18-6A Newcomer of the Year after leading the Cardinals in receptions (51), receiving yards (911) and touchdown catches (9) in an impressive sophomore campaign.
Busby rushed for 170 yards and four touchdowns last year as a sophomore.
Verdict
A stout defense will graduate lots of seniors, but a potent offense has plenty of skill players coming back to offset the balance.
The Cardinals operation starts with quarterback Darion Manning, who threw for 2,000 yards and has his top receiver coming back in Kealon Jackson.
The schedule won’t change in 2017, and the Cardinals will be ready to make another run at an eighth-consecutive run to the playoffs.
Brought to you by: XENITH
