CEDAR HILL- After winning a state title in 2006, the Cedar Hill Longhorns posted an 8-4 mark in 2007 falling to Southlake Carroll in the Area Playoffs. Coach Joey McGuire’s crew is young in a few spots, but as always the Longhorns are super talented and will be a handful for anyone.
An area of strength heading into the season has to be the offensive line led by Texas commit Thomas Ashcraft and one of the top 2010 prospects Adam Shead. Sophomore kicker Eduardo Carmona has a big time leg and has 50 plus range as in the spring game he nailed a 55 yard kick. An area of concern is the QB position where senior LaDarian Cochran is battling sophomore Driphus Jackson.
The spring Red-Black game proved to be very entertaining with the Black Team posting a 31-24 win. For the black team the star of the show had to be junior RB Ben Malena who after an injury riddled 2007 season appears to be 100%. Malena scored on a 17 yard run in the first quarter and then Malena broke off a 30 yard touchdown run to tie the game at 14. The Red Team scored on a 39 yard run by Brandon Davis and then a 50 yard run by QB Beau Blankenship.
Black Team QB Driphus Jackson got rolling late in the second quarter with a 45 yard run that set up a short Carmona FG, and then he threw a 46 yard touchdown pass to the man of the day Malena and at the half it was 24-14 Black Team.
The second half featured an inspired effort by both defenses as new DC Ron Mendoza’s new scheme seems to be taking shape. The Red Team managed a 20 yard touchdown run by Davis and a field goal while the Black Team’s lone score came on fumble return for a score.
Overall besides Malena’s big time effort several standout players were DT Jamarcus Goodall, DB Jameel Bagby, LB Tyler Washington and LB Aaron Benson who notched an INT on the game’s first play. Cedar Hill opens the 2008 season against Cincinatti De La Salle on August 30 at Texas Stadium.