If the sights of Erath’s spring intrasquad scrimmage on Thursday are any indication, expect a new look to Bobcat football come fall.

According to EHS’ first-year head coach Doug Dotson, changes are certainly in order.

“We’re going to be a no-huddle, fast-paced offense,” said Dotson following the scrimmage. “Our main focus is speed. We’ll lift weights in the offseason, but the main priority is definitely on speed.”

Dotson inherits a team that went 3-7 last year running a triple-option style offense. He said he intends to attempt to utilize the speed on the Erath roster, one which features a horde of standout track athletes, to bring some excitement to Bobcats football.

“There’s a definite hunger in the air in Erath,” he said. “It’s a great community and definitely deserving of a winning football team.”

Though Dotson has only gotten to see his team for two weeks, a time in which the players have had to digest a completely new, spread-offense system, he said he has been impressed.

“I was very pleased with how quick the kids picked it up,” he said. “The progress we made in eight days is something I’m happy with.”

Dotson said he is pleased with the turnout of incoming freshman. He said he expects 25-30 will make the squad, making for a roster of 80-85 players come fall, when Erath opens up the 2012 season hosting Delcambre.

“My goal coming in was to not have any linemen playing both ways. We’ve got a few skill guys who’ll have to give us time on both sides,” he said, specifying Aaron Green, Wayne Scalici and Austin Domingue in particular. “They’ll play an offensive series here and a defensive series there and get breaks that way, though,” he noted.

At this point, a few of the pieces of the puzzle are beginning to come into focus for Dotson, who was, until recently, the head coach at Baton Rouge’s Central High.

First of all, junior Ty Bares appears to have earned a shot as the starting QB.

“Ty emerged as the starter,” said Dotson. “But, you’ve got to have more than one ready.”

Senior Jimmy Jordan and sophomore Ross Granger are getting snaps as well.

Dotson said defensively, Hunter Darby has also impressed.

“We had a hard time blocking him with two people (in the scrimmage),” he added. “I also want mention Nicholas Lucas... he’s got a motor.”