Catch him if you can Many of the Trojans’ hopes rest on senior quarterback Brian Bonner
By Lee Goddard, Caller-Times
David Adame/ Caller-Times
Brian Bonner was the area’s Class 4A total offense leader, passing for 940 yards
and rushing for 655.
BEEVILLE - Beeville quarterback Brian Bonner hit the weights
religiously over the summer to ensure that he has the physique to endure any punishing
hits.
It may well have been wasted work; defenders aren't likely to get
many chances to touch the elusive Bonner this season.
While the area boasts many top-flight quarterbacks this season, Bonner
may have a rightful claim as the area's most electrifying performer. Bonner has
a cannon arm, dazzling moves, breakaway speed and will seemingly do everything
for the Trojans.
"Brian Bonner is an integral part of this football team," said Beeville
coach Brad Norvell, in his first season of running the Trojans as head coach.
"He does everything well. He runs the ball, passes the ball, punts the ball, drives
the bus and makes the biscuits in the morning. He does everything for us and is
obviously important to our football team."
In a sense, Bonner became more important to the Trojans after the
departure of 2,000-yard rusher Spencer Chaisson, who held seemingly every conceivable
Beeville rushing record. The senior quarterback has no problem with defenses keying
on him this season.
"I understand that every team we play this year is going to say,
'We stop Brian Bonner, and we stop Beeville'," Bonner said. "That's not going
to happen. We have enough people on this team to make defenses pay."
But Bonner will no doubt be a critical part of Beeville's hopes for
repeat district titles. In nine regular season games last year, Bonner was the
area's Class 4A total offense leader, passing for 940 yards and rushing for 655
for a 177.2 yards per game average.
With Beeville likely to spread the field on offense, Bonner is likely
to have a lot of open field rushing opportunities. That's when he's most dangerous.
"We've played them the last few years, and he's one of the best quarterbacks
in the area," said Floresville coach Kevin Whaley, whose team joins Beeville in
a revamped District 29-4A. "It's very scary the way they spread the field and
use his speed."
While his moves and speed are scary for opponents, those elements
keep teammates on their toes.
"He's tough to block for. He can be mysterious," said Brandon Mack,
Beeville's 6-3, 280-pound tackle. "We may block for a play going to the right,
and he goes left. You've got to watch him; sometimes it's supposed to be a pass
play, and he takes off running."
His passing makes him worth watching, as well. While Bonner needs
to improve his 40 percent completion percentage and his touchdown-to-interception
ratio, he possesses a strong arm and built a rapport with his receivers playing
7-on-7 football over the summer.
Other opportunities
Even better for Bonner, his top target, Ervin Dickerson, spent his
summer bulking up, and returns to give the Trojans even more speed.
"He's a strong thrower, but with hands like mine, it's nothing,"
said a confident Dickerson. "It's a rocket. He'll hum it. But, we've played together
for years, and I'm used to it. He can throw it out there and, it's my hands -
'Go-Go Gadget Hands' - and I'll get it."
Bonner and Dickerson will team with a pair of other Beeville track
stars - Gabriel Green and Frank Perez - to form one of the most athletic defensive
backfields in the area.
"If we can make anybody throw," Norvell said, "they're in trouble."
But, as Bonner stated, Beeville won't be a one-man team as it steps
into 29-4A with old 30-4A foes Floresville and Pleasanton, as well as three San
Antonio teams. Perez will step in as the heir to Chaisson at running back.
"Frank Perez doesn't have all that shake and bake like Spencer did,"
Bonner said. "But give him the ball and he'll run it hard. He runs his heart out."
Green, a sophomore, will join Perez in the backfield and, when the
Trojans desire to spread the field, they can roll one or both of the backs to
the slot and line up with four- or five-receiver sets.
Joining them will be the 6-3, 195-pound Dickerson, who hauled in
21 catches in the regular season for 24 yards per catch. Juan Sauceda will take
some of the defensive pressure off Dickerson.
The line absorbed some losses but, Mack - a junior - should be a
force. Marty Garza will hold down the other tackle slot, while a corps of players
will compete at guard. Norvell singles out center Joe Ramirez as one of the strongest
players on the squad.
Defensive similarity
The defensive line will have a similar look to its offensive counterpart
with Mack and Garza being joined by Neil Botello, though the loss of Derek Randall
to graduation will hurt, and depth up front is a concern for Norvell.
While Randall's loss hurts, losing linebacker K.C. Hamilton - as
well as his 155 tackles and 35 consecutive games started - could be most painful.
Anthony Puentes and Colton Cuellar are likely to man two of the linebacking positions,
though the other will be up for grabs.
The secondary, as mentioned previously, will be one of the area's
elite.
"I've been looking forward to this season," Bonner said.
With the quality of the players returning, no doubt many fans are,
too.
