Houston school on the way back up

When new coach Gary Gutierrez took the Sharpstown High School job, he knew he was starting at the bottom of the Houston-area totem pole.

"I knew this was going to be a challenge and I love challenges," the 29-year-old coach said. "But when I got here we had around 12 kids in the program and I couldn't find a football in the school."

Not to mention the Apollos are 1-29 over the past three seasons with the one win being a forfeit. Now that is challenge.

Since taking the job two months ago, Gutierrez has breathed life into a dead program and has increased his numbers to over 50 with some interesting junior and senior prospects. Come to find out, the southwest Houston school's basketball team was full of football wannabes.

Headlining the Apollos is senior-to-be Reginald Mathews, a 6-4, 280-pound, tight end with upside. Mathews' name has been circulating around recruiting circles and has drawn coaches to a school that no one would drop by.

"Off the field Reginald is a mild-mannered kid," Gutierrez said. "On the field he's explosive and aggressive. He can catch and block with good feet. He does need to work on his grades right now."

The buzz around the program also lured Jeremy Dean out of the gym to the dust practice field which doubles as a community park.

"Jeremy just came out and Baylor already loves him," he said. "He's so talented athletically that he can go up and get balls no one else can. He's a diamond in the rough."

It doesn't hurt that Dean is a 6-foot-6, 180-pound acrobatic dunker to boot.

Linebackers David Morris (6-3, 220-pounds) and Leander Amos (5-10, 180-pounds) anchor a defense, which has been porous over the past three years. Sophomore's Cameron Black (6-3, 280-pounds) and Denzel Housher (6-2, 200-pounds) will also provide size and speed to the Apollos front seven.

"Our front guys are surprisingly big and like contact," Gutierrez said. "Most of them play basketball also, so they are athletic."

Bouncing around the practice field is a 6-foot-1 quarterback with the "it" factor. Teammates are attracted to him and he has a rocket of an arm. The name J.R. Richard (6-9, 245-pounds) is well-known in the Greater Houston area as a pitcher for the Houston Astros. His career ended abruptly when he suffered a stroke at the height of his career.

James Richard (6-1, 180-pounds) has emerged as a future prospect. The sophomore lettered in football, basketball and baseball and has a bright future.

Stay tuned for Houston's feel-good story to develop.