More and more, Midland High star quarterback Landry Walls is excited by the possibilities.
“At first, I didn’t know what to expect, but I think we all kind of gave in pretty quick to this new offense and the coaching style and everything,” Walls told the Midland Reporter-Telegram of the Bulldogs first year under new coach Tad Fortune.
“I think it’s been really good for the team,” he added. “We’re just ready to win games, ready get after it no matter what offense we’re running.”
The Bulldogs' only victory last year was a 26-14 win over Odessa High, GoSanAngelo reported, noting that they enter 2021 with many holes to fill after the departure of a huge senior class.
Determined to bounce back from a three-year stretch that’s seen them stumble to a 3-16 finish, the Bulldogs are looking to shake things up, starting with pulling the plug on their spread offense in favor of a triple-option Veer attack, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram.
No matter what attack they turn to, the Bulldog way will still be about Walls at the controls. Even with Midland managing just one win last season, Walls managed to score the school record for most passing yards in a game after netting 443 against rival Midland Lee, the Midland Reporter-Telegram reported.
Enter Fortune, who formerly served as offensive coordinator at Permian. Walls told the Midland Reporter-Telegram that the transition has been as smooth as it could be.
“Especially starting from a spread that I’ve been learning ever since I was in the seventh grade, it’s different to pick up, but I wouldn’t really say like it’s challenging,” he added. “All of us, we were up there every morning, getting this offense down as soon as he got here. We all picked it up pretty quick.”
In all, Walls passed for 1,585 yards and 10 touchdowns last season against just eight interceptions.
“He has a great arm,” Fortune told the Midland Reporter-Telegram. “He has as live of an arm as any kid that I have coached. I’ve had good quarterbacks; I’ve had really good quarterbacks and he throws it as good as any of them. We’ll see how good he does, but he’s picked up the option. Obviously, we haven’t seen him live-live with the option, but I feel real good about that position with him.”
To keep defenses honest, Fortune said Walls, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds, will be asked to run more, according to Midland Reporter-Telegram. The senior trio of running backs Matteo Houston, Jacob Smith and Zion Ward also figure into the mix, while wideout Brian Zai Perez provides big-play possibility following a season where he averaged 19.4 yards a catch, Fortune told the Midland Reporter-Telegram.
“Most of the guys that are starting, we’ve been on varsity since we were sophomores,” Walls told the newspaper. “This past offseason, it’s been a totally different feeling. It’s been really intense. Everybody is ready to roll. I think we all have the mindset that losing isn’t an option and we’re ready to go.”
On defense, the Bulldogs, who last made a playoff appearance in 2018, are led by junior defensive linemen Daniel Varela (10 tackles for loss last season) and linebacker Houston (47 tackles).
“I’m really excited about where we’re headed and the way the kids are working,” Fortune told the Midland Reporter-Telegram. “I’m excited to see what happens. We’ll know more real soon, but I think we’re going to have a chance. They are working hard. We have to execute and keep getting better every week.”