Friday, Aug. 22, 2008

Swapping Sides a Sell for Panthers Lineman

CHHS Football

By Kevin Lonnquist

Staff Writer

With coaching comes a whole lot of selling. So when Colleyville Heritage coach Mike Fuller had to sell David Muller on coming over to the offensive line from the defensive line, it took some work.

"He was really hesitant, so we had to convince him that the work he was going to do was going to be equally as important to us," Fuller said. "It took him coming over to the offensive line in the spring."

Now, Muller (6-4, 250) has settled in nicely as the projected starting right tackle for the Panthers. Muller is considered one of the strongest players on the team and has the prototypical lineman’s frame, Fuller said.

Muller was a solid defensive lineman because he could drive opposing offensive linemen back consistently. However, Fuller said he wanted Muller to be the one holding off that kind of defender.

"I think he thought he was going to miss his defensive linemen teammates," Fuller said. "But he has seen the success."

Worried About the Defense

Fuller and defensive coordinator Carl Stralow believe their defense will be a very good unit. However, they are concerned about the slow the start has been.

"We aren’t the same now like we were in the spring," Fuller said. "I don’t know if it’s the intensity, aggressiveness or that we don’t want our guys to get hurt when we’re doing best on best. But we have to show more fire."

Foster on Both Sides

Senior defensive back Eddie Foster figures to be a busy man this fall.

Not only will he cover the left side of the secondary this fall, he will also play some wide receiver.

Fuller said he expects Foster to get into between 15-30 plays per game. Foster has improved his receiving skills and continues to earn quarterback Steven Hill and the coaching staff’s faith.

When the Panthers scrimmaged last week, Foster participated in about 20 plays and didn’t a pass thrown to him.

"I really like the concentration he has shown," Fuller said. "I think he’s going to be a valued part of our offense."

Briefly …

Senior Alex Scheiwe will move from the defensive line to outside linebacker. Defensive coordinator Carl Stralow likes Scheiwe’s speed.

"He’s really an [in between] size," Fuller said. "We’re just at an age with football that the more defensive people can run, the better off you’re going to be."

Colleyville Heritage plays its only scrimmage against Flower Mound at 7 p.m. tonight at Flower Mound’s Neal E. Wilson Jaguar Stadium.

This is the seventh consecutive year the two programs have met in a scrimmage.