'It's awesome to be a part of': Rockport-Fulton aiming to improve behind new coach

ROCKPORT — Rockport-Fulton senior Noah Jones has been through the highs and the lows of playing high school football.

Jones experienced the joy of making multiple playoff runs early in his varsity career, but has also felt the sorrow of missing the postseason after the Pirates finished sixth last season in a competitive District 15-4A Division I.

But this season is a new beginning for Jones and his teammates as they begin the 2023 season with a new head coach for the first time in nine years.

Jacob Bible, who was hired as the Pirates' head coach and athletic director in February, has made a good impression on Jones and his teammates, who are looking to bounce back after finishing 3-7 in 2022.

"Coach Bible knows what he's doing," Jones said. "The new coaches we have this year are great and I love the staff. The team is coming together and the energy is high. It's great right now. The younger kids are learning fast and I think since what happened last year, we have a chip on our shoulder. It's all about putting in the work and practicing 10 times harder."

Making changes

Bible was the last man standing when the Rockport-Fulton school board choose him out of 100 applicants for the position of head football coach and athletic director.

The former Midlothian Heritage defensive coordinator brought with him a new offense and defense, and hopes it will revitalize a Rockport-Fulton team with a core of young players and talented senior class.

"The toughest part about taking over and building a coaching staff is when you're doing all the hiring, selling what you want to do this season, but (now) it's finally here," Bible said. "I'm excited about that and I know the kids are. I'm ready to see what our new offense and defense will look like."

The Pirates will also have a new quarterback this season with the departure of Ace Seibert, who was the son of former coach Jay Seibert.

Multi-sport athlete Sean Howell will play his first season under center after showcasing his ability to play both sides of the ball last season.

"It's very different having a new coaching staff and a new offense but as a team we're working hard," Howell said. "We're going full speed so we can show the people who have been doubting us. We're going to try and impress some people this year.

"We lost some key players on offense but we're young with room to improve. I've been playing with a lot of these guys since middle school so we have some chemistry."

The big picture

There's no question Bible wants to win and win now in the first season, but the veteran coach also understands it's not how you start, but how you finish.

Bible said he is looking at the bigger picture of the program from an athletic director standpoint, and hopes to lay the foundation of success not just in football, but the school as a whole.

"I'm looking at the bigger picture as an athletic director and the support from the community has been mind-blowing," Bible said. "We have new facilities, a new turf field and our administration and board is thinking forward. They are thinking about what's best for our kids and it's awesome to be a part of."

The Pirates' new turf at their stadium was recently completed and will be playable for their home opener on Sept. 1 against rival Sinton.

Bible said he is a fan of playing on natural grass but a turf field opens the door of endless possibilities.

"I love grass but you have to have somebody who needs to look over it everyday," Bible said. "You have holes out there from sprinkler heads and then the wear and tear from football and soccer. For it to be used year-round and not being maintained, it's not going to be a good competition field."

Rockport-Fulton opens the season on Aug. 24 against Miller in Corpus Christi and will begin its quest to try and get back to the playoffs when district play begins Oct. 6 against Pleasanton.

Howell said last year's struggles, plus being picked to miss the playoffs, has only motivated him and his teammates to prove people wrong.

"Being in a new district last year was tough and it was harder than we expected," Howell said. "But now that we had that eye-opening experience, we'll be ready this year. We're super excited for this season and we're excited to see how it's going to go."

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Rockport-Fulton looking to improve behind first-year coach Jacob Bible