Running back ready to lead Cowboys

Richard Brian

Chaparral running back Pierre Jones has big shoes to fill as the Cowboys’ featured rusher.

By Brent Hinckley (contact)

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Chaparral senior tailback Pierre Jones is not afraid to make predictions about the upcoming season.

“We’re winning at least seven games and making it to the second round of the playoffs if not more,” Jones said.

Jones relishes the chance to back up his talk as he takes over as the Cowboys’ starting running back.

“Last year it was all about Q (Quentin McCloud). Now, it’s time for me to lead the team. I know I can do it,” Jones said.

Jones and senior running back Isaiah Washington, a Palo Verde transfer, replace graduated running backs Quentin McCloud and Tyquise Anthony. McCloud was the No. 3 rusher in Las Vegas last season, rushing for 1,404 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Anthony added 849 yards and nine touchdowns.

“I made a big jump at camp,” said Jones, who only had four carries last year. “It feels good to be relied on. There’s pressure on me, but I can handle it.”

Blocking for Jones and Washington is a solid line that returns four starters, including senior guard Jeff Morgan, one of the top linemen in Nevada.

“We’ve got a big line that’s experienced so we can have a passing offense, and our running backs know they can run behind those guys,” Chaparral coach Fernando Carmona said.

Morgan said one of the biggest differences has been attitude.

“Guys aren’t just going through the motions. They’re into it this year. They’re not out here just to say they’re on the football team,” Morgan said.

While Carmona is plugging holes on offense, he is also retooling the defensive scheme. The defense is switching to a 5-3 — five linemen and three linebackers — to utilize’s the team’s strength in lineman.

“What we lack in size, we’ll make up for in speed. We have 11 guys that fly to the ball,” Carmona said. “We’re not giving up the big touchdown run anymore. Teams might be able to grind it out on us, but we’re not giving up the 89-yard run.”

Chaparral has been the Northeast Division’s No. 4 seed in its last two trips to the playoffs — 2005 and 2007, both first round losses — but Carmona feels he has the talent to make some noise.

“Las Vegas (High) is in a class by itself and we try and copy what they do,” Carmona said. “We can compete for that No. 2 spot. We want to host a playoff game.”

Brent Hinckley is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-2687 or brent.hinckley@hbcpub.com.