Advosports

For Ganado Indians running back Josh Labay, the momentum his team built late last season that catapulted them into a state semifinal run is carrying over into 2010.

"I think we should win the district, our coaching staff knows what their doing," Labay said. "I think we're a pretty good team. I think we can come through in a big-time situation and our coaches know what their doing."

In 2009 Labay rushed for 1,907 yards and 17 TDs for Ganado, but the team finished third in district 27-1A behind Shiner and Louise limping into the final game of the regular season with a 5-4 record.

"Everything fell into place at the right time," Labay said. "Everybody stepped up and made big time plays."

Saying things fell into place was a bit of an understatement as the team that was one game over .500 beat Flatonia 50-7 in the regular season finale then knocked off Barlett, La Pryor and Falls City in the playoffs.

Labay's talent makes him that rare athlete who was called up to the varsity level during his freshman year and first-year Ganado head coach Jimmy Thompson said those skills weren't the only things that impressed him during the first week of fall practice.

"He's a typical Ganado kid, great athlete, great attitude," Thompson said.

Thompson was hired last winter after Mike Rabe left Ganado to take over at Waco Connally.

Even though Labay is entering his junior season playing for a new head coach, he said the team isn't taking long to transition from Rabe to Thoompson.

"Everybody is adapting to the new system and everybody is fitting together, everything is going together," Labay said.

This fall the Indians want to avoid the same slow start in district that occurred in 2009.

Last year Ganado split their first four-district game and lost a tough 13-10 contest at Louise that cost them a shot to finish second in district.

Labay said his team learned from the early district struggles and knows how important pulling out those games are in making the Indians path for another district run a little easier.

"Don't give up two district games, everything will be a whole lot better this year," Labay said.

Even though the Indians were moved into District 15-1A, Div. I after last season, the expectations are high since Ganado returns seven starters on each side of the ball.

Despite the expectations, Thompson knows no one is going to give the Indians anything, especially not familiar district rivals Flatonia, Louise and Shiner

"I'm not overly concerned about that, I hope their right," said Thompson. "That's for the fans to talk about, what we got to do is perform on the field."

Labay looks forward to working with the Ganado coaching staff and has already set goals for himself the next two seasons.

"Win district and try and win state championships," Labay said.

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