FOUNTAIN LAKE COBRAS: Determined to dominate

High-octane Cobra off ense ready to go again in 2009 season

By By Shea Stewart Staff Writer

TRI-LAKES AREA — The Fountain Lake Cobra offense in 2008 was statistically the second most explosive offense ever witnessed in Arkansas public high school football history. Fountain Lake scored 725 points in 14 games, second only to the state-record of 753 points set by Junction City in 2003.

How lethal was the Cobras' offensive output in 2008? The team

punted less than a dozen times and averaged

51.3 points through its first three playoff games.

But it was the fourth playoff appearance of 2008

that left a bitter taste as the Fountain Lake of

fensive juggernaut was slowed by Charleston,

and the Cobras lost 47-20 in the Class 3A state

championship game.

Head coach Thomas Gilleran understands

recapturing the offensive firepower of 2008 will

be tough, but he's excited about what Fountain

Lake has returning on offense and defense. Al

though only three starters return on offense, se

nior quarterback David Gray (6-1, 165 pounds)

is among them.

"We've got our quarterback coming back

and some really good athletes along with some

linemen," said Gilleran, who is entering his sev

enth season as Fountain Lake's head coach.

Last year's attack was led by the dual run

ning attack of graduated seniors Andrew Davis

and Quentin Lindsey, two departed players who

combined for more than 3,300 yards on the

ground. The 2009 version of the Cobra Wing-

T assault will rely on Gray and junior running

back Mark Macon (5-10, 185 pounds).

"[Macon's] one of the better ones we've had,"

Gilleran said. "He's going to work for us." Beyond Macon, Fountain Lake will depend

on senior Tyler Snyder (5-10, 175 pounds) and

a couple of other players to carry the load.

"Running-backwise, we should be fine,"

Gilleran said. "The offensive line is a concernbecause we lost four starters, but the guys we have coming back played a lot in games. If we can get the line to gel we can be as good as we were last year. I think they will gel." On defense, Gilleran will depend on Gray, working from his safety position in a 4-4 defense, and Snyder from his linebacker position to guide the defense.

Tri-Lakes, Pages 18 on 08/30/2009

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