12 Aug 2014 Fountain Lake: Cobras ready for challenge of 4A

Conference: 7-4A
Coach: Thomas Gilleran
’13 Record: 7-4 (6-1)

Fountain Lake experienced an uncharacteristic end to its 2013 season with a first-round loss to Earle. After a long offseason that allowed the team to gain experience and recover from injuries, the Cobras appear ready to face 2014 with a new goal: challenge the competitive 7-4A conference.

“We were really young, and the team did as good as this young group could do,” Coach Tommy Gilleran said. “We will be in 4A [this season], and it will be a lot harder to be as successful as we were in the past, but I think we will go to the playoffs.”

Senior Carson Chandler returns to lead the offense. The dual-threat quarterback led the team in rushing touchdowns a year ago and added four passing touchdowns. Chandler was also named to this year’s 501 Football team.

“Carson is a team player,” Gilleran said. “Everybody likes him as a person. He is kind to other students. He works hard in the classroom, and I expect him to lead this team to the playoffs.”

Returning offensive players include senior running back and top rusher Colby Spoon, along with seniors Justice Mitchell, Cole Jones and Austin Sutterfield and juniors Parker Ross, Ethan Simpson and Austin Turner. Spoon returns as the team’s leading tackler. Mitchell and juniors Sean McNeely, J.T. McCoy, Ross and Simpson also contribute to the Cobras’ stifling defense.

“Offensively, we will be a lot better with the amount of kids coming back,” Gilleran said. “Defensively, we will be the same.”