STRAWN – It's no secret the Strawn Greyhounds have two of the nation's top six-man running backs in Trey Doyle and J.T. Sharp, and one of the brightest young quarterbacks in junior Parker Purvis.
What may be even more important to Strawn this Saturday when they take to the field at Shotwell Stadium to face off with Garden City for the 2009 Division I six-man state crown, is the fact they have the size, experience and muscle up front to dominate.
"That's what makes them so good," said former Bryson head coach Charles Steele after watching the Greyhounds run over Richland Springs. "They're so strong, most defenses don't even touch the backs until their five or six yards into the secondary."
The push up front for Strawn comes in the form of all-staters in Cliff Thornton, James Miller and Victor Reyes.
Thornton, Miller and Reyes – part of a large group of 11 seniors – are indeed among the strongest athletes in the state. Thornton and Miller, both two-year starters, can bench press more than 300 pounds. Reyes, an end, is the team's hardest hitter, and a potent threat as a receiver.
Thornton, Miller and Reyes also have experience on their side. All three started last year on the Greyhounds' squad that went 14-1. As a team, Strawn is 27-2 over the past two seasons with Thornton, Miller and Reyes leading the way.
Just how good have the three been? Consider these numbers. Both Doyle and Sharp have rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season, and the Strawn offense has rolled up a state-best 905 points, including more than 70 in each of their last three playoff games.
Doyle and Sharp have rushed for more than 600 yards and eight touchdowns in the last two weeks.
Another dominating effort up front this Saturday could lead to Strawn hoisting its third state championship trophy in the last seven seasons.
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Cliff Thornton, Victor Reyes and James Miller lead a potent Strawn offensive attack into Saturday's Division I state championship game. The three have helped the Greyhounds go 27-2 over the past two seasons. Tommy Wells/Index
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'Hounds look to muscle way to state crown
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