Montgomery ISD sent both of its teams to the postseason in 2022. The second time in the past three years that has occurred since Lake Creek opened in 2018.
Both Lake Creek head coach Pat Kennedy and Montgomery head coach Grant Cooper spoke Wednesday during the 47th annual Buddy Moorhead Conroe Noon Lions Club Pigskin Preview.
Lake Creek is coming off its best season in the program’s five-year history.
Some of the goals Kennedy had when he was named the first head coach of the Lions are slowly being crossed off.
“We wanted to be the best team in our district, in the area and in the county,” Kennedy said during his speech. “And we want to be the best team in the state. Last year, we were 12-1, we won our district and we played three rounds deep in the playoffs.”
The Lions put up big numbers on the scoreboard, scoring 70 points in three different games.
“We had a pretty good year,” Kennedy said. “But we have some big shoes to fill. We lose our quarterback and we play a pretty tough district with Brenham and Huntsville. Randle is a new school in Lamar Consolidated and then Montgomery.”
Kennedy wants the defense to hold teams in check this year and there are many components all over the field that can help with that.
Among those back are the sensational junior running back Tyvonn Byars.
“I would be remiss not to talk about our running back,” Kennedy said. “Tyvonn Byars will be a junior. He is 5-foot-9, 210 pounds.”
Byars, the Montgomery County Offensive Most Valuable Player, totaled 40 touchdowns and 2,346 yards and is a returning team captain. He’ll get some burst behind an experienced offensive line paving the way.
“We expect to put out an exciting brand of football this year,” Kennedy said. “We’re going to be physical, we’re going to be fast and we’re going to get after people.”
Montgomery back off year of growth
The Montgomery Bears experienced some growing pains last year, but still landed in the playoffs.
The Bears, under second-year coach Cooper, tested itself with a tough nondistrict schedule before going 3-3 in District 10-5A (Div. II) and a playoff berth in Week 11.
“We started 19 different freshmen or sophomores,” Cooper said during his speech. “Obviously we went through some growing pains last year.”
The Bears went 0-4 in nondistrict play, but it helped toughen them up.
“We probably played one of the hardest nondistrict (schedules)in the state of Texas,” Cooper said. “Our nondistricts were a combined 40-10 and we faced two district champs and every team made the playoffs and some went on a several rounds deep run. We were challenged and things settled down when district got here.”
The Bears then pushed Port Neches-Groves in the bi-district playoffs before falling 38-17.
“It was a seven-point game in the fourth quarter,” Cooper said. “They turned around and went to the state championship.”
Montgomery returned to spring ball this year and is ready for August’s arrival.
“We had a great spring ball,” Cooper said. “We’ve had a great summer and I’m very excited about the direction we’re heading.
“Very excited about the product we’re going to put on the field. Hopefully you come out on a Friday night.”
