Friendswood could move up to No. 1 on the District 23-4A hit parade this season with three of the state’s top linebackers starting on the same defense.
    Seniors Bo Mosley (6-2, 225) and Robert Hall (6-4, 208) will join junior Will Ebner (6-0, 225) in what could be a menacing combination for Mustang opponents. All three are rated as top prospects by numerous scouting services.
    Hall earned first team all-district honors in 2005 with 118 tackles and five sacks. Ebner’s 115 tackles and three sacks earned him 23-4A top sophomore honors. Mosley missed all of last season with an injury after a stellar sophomore campaign. Together, they are looking to erase the bitter memories of 2005, when injuries and inexperience doomed Friendswood to a rare non-playoff season.
    “Last year was tough to watch,” Mosley said. “Every game got harder. We had such potential, but we lost five starters on defense. I felt bad for everyone, but especially the seniors. Some of those guys I played with for eight or nine years.”
    With Mosley back on the field, the Mustangs could be in for a long playoff run. All three have been working furiously in anticipation of the 2006 season.
    “I can’t wait,” Hall said. “A lot of people will have my back. I know that, if I am not there for the tackle, Bo or Will or a lot of other good people will be there.
    Hall recently became the first of the trio to make a college commitment when he cast his lot with the University of Colorado.         The chance to live in Colorado and play in the Big 12 made that an easy decision.
    Mosley recently followed Hall’s lead and has given a non-binding verbal commitment to play at the University of Houston.
    “UH told me that they would honor a five-year scholarship even if I got hurt my senior year in high school and couldn’t play again,” Mosley said. “That’s a big commitment on their part.”
    Ebner is only a junior and is in no hurry to make up his mind. He knows that there is a lot of interest in this year’s Friendswood team.
“We had 47 Division I schools come watch our practice,” Ebner said. “That’s inspiring. It makes you want to work harder.”
    Ebner already has a tie to a major college program. His brother, Jake, is a sophomore offensive lineman at the University of Houston.
All three should reap benefits out of last year’s frustrations. That includes Mosley, who saw his 2005 season end before it began after tearing his ACL during the summer 7-on-7 season.
    That has left Mosley with just one year left to follow up on an incredible sophomore campaign. Sitting out a year even helped in some instances.
    “After the way I matured after the surgery and all the rehab I have done in the last year, I really think (the injury) was a blessing,” Mosley said. “It made me a better
football player. It made me more determined. It showed me that nothing is guaranteed and that I always have to work.”
    Mosley’s absence pushed Ebner into the spotlight in his sophomore season. With his brother having done the same a few years before, Ebner did not let his defensive teammates down.
    “My brother helped me mature a lot,” Ebner said. “That helped me in stepping up to that (starting) position. Bo and Robert helped by setting a standard for me. Bo accomplished a lot in his sophomore year and Rob accomplished a lot last year.
    “Last year, I knew I had to step into a hole and fill it. I had to be a leader on defense. This year will be a lot easier. We have a lot of leadership with Bo and Robert there. I don’t have anything to worry about.”
    The linebacker trio have formed a tight bond that exists on and off the field. All three have been constants in the weight room and with planning for the 2006 season.
    “It’s all three of us,” Mosley said. “We don’t have to worry about being the whole team. I have Hall and Ebner beside me. We all want to be the best.”
    Hall is one of many Mustang returnees who are ready to put the 2005 season in the past. Starting that campaign without Mosley, then seeing other teammates go down as the year went on was tough to endure.
    “I think the frustrations of last year will help us a lot this year,” Hall said. “We had a lot of young players. We will be more prepared and ready this year.”

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