So now what for Ennis?

If you follow the Ennis Lions, you know that they have lost some key components to their offensive team, namely wide receiver Kyle Guinyard, slot receiver Jyavon King, guard Aaron Armstrong, and tackle Hugh Emmert. One other offensive player is hurt, and may not play against Waxahachie this Friday.

Its very tough to win when you lose one key player, much less two, plus two offensive linemen. The Dallas Morning News mentioned that this morning that from the 4A level on down, it gets very tough, because of the numbers game. Ennis is a mid-sized 4A squad, and just doesn't have the numbers of a Southlake Carroll, or even Highland Park, one of the largest 4A schools in the state, and all the great coaching in the world is not going to overcome a loss of key talent.

Ennis still has a good chance to win this year, and make it to the playoffs. A win against a very talented and undefeated Waxahachie squad is going to be tough, but Ennis should be able to handle Corsicana, Midlothian, and Cleburne, and if they can beat Waco University, or Midway, or Hatchie, then the Lions will return to the playoffs.

Sam Harrell has a pretty remarkable record at Ennis. Since he came to the Ellis county town in 1994, the Lions have made the playoffs for 13 consecutive years, and were heavily favored to make it 14 this year. Don't count out Ennis just yet. Coach Harrell has always preached to the kids that any one of them are one play away from starting. That preparation will help Ennis continue their run to a 14th consecutive post season in 2009.