Warning!

Do not be surprised if the Memorial Titans end the season with a 1,000-yard rusher, or at least have a committee effort that acquires the team more than 1,500 yards on the ground.

Yes, that seems farfetched, since Memorial barely cracked 1,000 yards as a team in 2007. It's especially hard to believe it when you consider that Patterson Clay, Port Arthur's starting running back last season, finished with just 498 yards rushing. And the obvious argument against the previously stated warning is that Memorial has no intentions of backing off on its spread it out and air out approach.

However, there are a few reasons to believe the air attack Ronnie Thompson has so wonderfully schemed over the years will also supply a solid ground service as well for the 2008 Titans.

Here is why.

With just a limited amount of time on the field last year, starting quarterback Jareal Alexander and starting running back Daleon Sinette combined for 570 yards on 110 carries. If you are doing the math, that is 5.18 yards per rush.

More specifically, Alexander posted 385 yards on 80 touches while Sinette produced 185 yards on 30 attempts.

Another reason for the optimism, Kelly transfer Chance Filer is a senior tailback standing at 6-1 and weighing at 210 pounds. He's got the look of a bruiser and said to have plenty of speed.

"We definitely have the horses to have an effective running game," said Thompson, whose team averaged a league best 230.8 yards per game through the air last season.

"We understand that we have the personnel back there and we understand that having an effective running game is necessary. I think we will be using the running game a little more this season, but all of that will hinge on our offensive line."

The Titans have four new starters on the line and Thompson said the offensive play calling will be based off what is working and not working in a game.

Basically, if Memorial's hogs up front can make some holes, Thompson and offensive coordinator Kenny Harrison plan to have someone running through them.

Harrison said he did not know if one back would make 1,000 yards, but said he would not be surprised if two of the three players in Memorial's backfield rushed for more than 100 yards in the same game.

"They are some stud athletes," Harrison said.

He also said the Titans will use an Okie back set, which is a shotgun formation that features a back to the quarterback's left and right side.