2014 Midland Lee Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME
8/28	Keller (Midland Football Madness)	Home	4:30pm
9/05	El Paso Coronado	Home	7:30pm
9/12	Southlake Carroll (Homecoming)	Home	7:30pm
9/19	El Paso Dorado	Away	7:00pm
9/26	Abilene Cooper	Away	7:30pm
10/03	BYE
10/10	Odessa Permian	Home	7:30pm
10/17	Odessa High	Away	7:30pm
10/24	Abilene High	Home	7:30pm
10/31	San Angelo Central High	Away	7:30pm
11/07	Midland High	Home	7:30pm

2014 Midland Lee Schedule Preview

2014 SEASON OVERVIEW

Aug. 28 Keller Indians (H) 4:30 Coached by Carl Stralow. 5-5 last season. Keller has not made the playoffs since 2009, but with five returning starters on offense and seven on defense, the Indians will be equipped to break that streak this season and should provide a great opening test for the Lee Rebels. The Indians return several key starters on defense, including 2013 leading tackler Garrett Blubaugh who recorded 90 solo tackles in 2013. Missing on defense will be Sione Teuhema who is now at LSU, however, his younger brother, 247Composite five-star and LSU commit Maea Teuhema returns to anchor the offensive line. Also returning are three starting receivers and tight end Conner Killian, which combined for more than 1,500 receiving yards as a unit last season.

Sept. 5 El Paso Coronado Thunderbirds (H) 7:30 Coached by Bob Anderson. 8-3 last year after getting knocked out of the bi-district round of the playoffs last year by Abilene Cooper, 49-14. The Rebels won last year’s meeting against the Thunderbirds 48-21. The T-Birds return four starters on offense, including quarterback Mickey Courtney who threw for more than 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Coach Anderson has made steady improvement with the program, look for this to be a breakout year for the Thurderbirds.

Sept. 12 Southlake Carroll Dragons (H) 7:30 – Homecoming Coached by Hal Wassom. 11-2 last year. The perennial metroplex power fell in the regional round of the playoffs to Euless Trinity in 2013, but plans to reload and make another run this season. The Dragons return four starters on offense, including three offensive linemen and quarterback Ryan Agnew, who holds several Division I offers. Defensively, the Dragons welcome back five starters, led by Purdue commit, safety Andy Chelf, defensive end King Newton  and cornerback Obi Eboh, who also hold D-I offers.  Carroll has won the last four meetings against Lee, including a 51-7 win that knocked the Rebels out of the area round of the playoffs last year and a 63-14 win in non-district play. This will be Lee’s homecoming game, focus and intensity will be high for this one.

Sept. 19 El Paso El Dorado Aztecs (T) 7:00 6-5 team last year. Coached by Jim Althoff. The Rebels knocked the Aztecs out of the first round of the playoffs 47-28 last year, so El Dorado will look to avenge that loss on its home turf this season against Lee. The Aztecs only return three players on each side of the ball from one year ago, but first-team all-district selections, receiver Ale Powell, defensive end Sabastian Ortiz and linebacker Mark Arroyo should provide a solid foundation to build around. This will be the first road test of the season and the hostile crowd with not give the Rebels a friendly welcome.

Sept. 26 Abilene Cooper Cougars (T) 7:30 Coached by Todd Moebes. 8-5 team last year, lost in the regional round of the playoffs 28-23 to eventual state champion Cedar Hill. The Cougars will have to shore up the losses of wide receiver Lorenzo Joe, who is now at the University of Texas, and linebacker Cordell Dorsey who is at Baylor. However, Cooper returns five players on each side of the ball and looks to be a force this season. Lee has won the last two meetings against Cooper. Coach Moebes and his staff do a tremendous job as witnessed by their deep run and close loss to Cedar Hill. The Rebs better be clicking on all cylinders for this one.

Oct. 3 OPEN

Oct. 10 Odessa Permian Panthers (H) 7:30 Coached by Blake Feldt. 5-5 team last year. With six returning starters on each side of the ball, Mojo will look to contend for a playoff berth under its second-year coach. Jack Feldt returns to anchor the offensive line and pave the way for last year’s second leading rusher Brandon Bailey (735 yards, six TD in ‘13). Taylor Thompson also returns after leading the Panthers with 25 catches for 369 yards and three touchdowns last year. Defensively, Permian returns three defensive backs, two linebackers and defensive end Tyler Tomlinson. Lee won last year’s meeting 42-21, but anything can happen under the Friday Night Lights in this long-time rivalry.

Oct. 17 Odessa High Bronchos (T) 7:30 Coached by Ron King. 6-6 team last year, made it to the bi-district round and lost to Arlington Martin 52-2. The Rebels will make a 15-minute trip to Ratliff Stadium in hopes of extending their winning streak against the Bronchos to four games. Odessa high returns five starters on offense from one year ago – including four offensive linemen which could prove to be very valuable as the new players get settled in. Defensively, the Bronchos  will be much improved with first-team all-district linebacker Edgar Contreras and defensive tackle Dayton Dennard, just a junior lead the charge for the red and white.

Oct. 24 Abilene High Eagles (H) 7:30 Coached by Steve Warren. 3-7 team last year. The Eagles, who typically contend for the district title, are coming off their worst season since 1995. With seven returning starters on offense and five on defense, bets are on the table that Abilene will be back in the playoffs in 2014. Offensively, second-team all-district quarterback Derek Scott will lead his team and push for first-team honors this season, while inside linebacker Ronnell Wilson leads the way on defense. Game 8 on the season for both teams could be critical in the district playoff race.

Oct. 31 San Angelo Central Bobcats (T) 7:30 Coached by Brent Davis. 10-2 team last year and Lee’s only district loss (37-27). Central has won the last two meetings against Lee. The Bobcats got off to a hot start in 2013 behind 10 eventual first-team all-district selections and their high-powered offense, suffering just one regular season hiccup (Amarillo Tascosa 48-27) before becoming district co-champs with a win over the Rebels. Central was knocked out of the area round of the playoffs by Keller Fossil Ridge, but with six returning starters on both sides of the ball the Bobcats are expected to make another run this fall. First-team all-district receiver Landon Sawyer returns to lead the offense and first-team all-district selections Lane Ward, Luke West and Eli Howard return to lead the defense.  One big loss defensively for Central is Oklahoma State cornerback commit Jaylon Lane, who moved to Nacogdoches since last season. However, with plenty of experience returning from an already-strong team, Central could prove to be a tough road test late in the season for Lee with probable playoff implications on the line.

Nov. 7 Midland High Bulldogs (H) 7:30 Coached by Craig Yenzer. 5-5 last year. The Bulldogs return three starters on offense and four on defense. Don’t be fooled by the Bulldogs .500 record from one year ago – three of their losses came by 12, 6 and 5 points and they’ll be looking to get over the hump in 2014. With second-team all-district selections, defensive tackle Colton Whitlock, and linebackers Brent Boler and Emilo Solis having one more year of experience under their belt, Midland’s defense could be pretty formidable. The Rebels have won three straight against the Dawgs and they’ll have their work cut out for them to make it four in a row.