By David Hinojosa STAFF WRITER
Lanier was forced to play several young players during the 2015 campaign, and as a result, the Voks won just once.
Those struggles might pay off in 2016 with that youth gaining valuable experience in varsity competition.
Three of those players were freshman in 2015. Defensive tackle Ozzy Torres was brought up to varsity three games into the season and earned four starters. Middle linebacker Arturo Rivera also was brought up after three games and turned into a part-time starter. Christian Cervantes was a starter at receiver.
While the youth movement is strong at Lanier, one of the team’s leaders is senior Jesse Mann. The 6-2, 245-pounder started eight games on the defensive line a season ago before moving to the offensive line his last two games.
Senior linebacker David Acosta is another valuable veteran.
The Voks are counting on the continued development of junior quarterback J.D. Boone, who earned two starts a year ago.