Cinco Ranch senior running back Adam Hirtz rounded the right corner of his offensive line, took a hard step inside and sprinted for a touchdown as the opposing defense tried feverishly to get its hands on him.

Who says a scrimmage is just a scrimmage?

For Hirtz, a three-year letterman and one of 14 returning Cougar starters – seven on each side of the ball - each down of each practice, scrimmage and game counts. So the fact that his touchdown run was neither recorded nor celebrated meant nothing.

That’s what experience does for an athlete – helps him make each moment a defining one.

“Last year we had the skill, but this year we have the skill and the experience,” Hirtz said. “Experience helps us know the speed of the game, knowing what to do and what not to do. You can’t just miss a block and say ‘My guy will go past them.’ You have to do your job all the time.”

During Friday night’s three-team scrimmage with Stratford and Cy-Fair, Hirtz was found picking up blocks or running hard every snap. But he was not alone. All of the Cougars seemed to have that extra drive.

“This year we all study the plays and really care about the team,” Hirtz said. “We all want to do what is best for the team. That means at all times we are giving everything.”

Improving upon a 5-6 record in 2007, which includes a bi-district loss to Cy-Fair, is not Cinco Ranch’s motivation this season.

Neither is proving their 11-2 record in 2006 was not a fluke.

Rather, the Cougars just want to fulfill their potential. No unnecessary chips on their shoulders. No boasting or bragging.

“We believe this can be our year to be first in district,” Hirtz said. “And that isn’t me saying anything about anyone else. It is just what I feel. We have the pieces to put together a really good team.”

Cougars coach Don Clayton agrees. His team had to win back-to-back games at the end of the regular season last year to make the playoffs. That experience, Clayton says, will be key to any success this season.

“We have experience now and what that means is that the guys know what to expect,” Clayton said. “Last year, we had two starters back on defense and no one else. So now that the guys have been battle-tested, they know what is expected of them. That should make for a better year for us.”

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