Archives > Sports
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Leopards fine with flying under radar in 2011
BY Matt Welch, mwelch@acnpapers.com
At this time last season, the Lovejoy football team was in the final preparations for defending its preseason No. 1 Class 3A state ranking.
One year later, on the heels of an abrupt exit in the Division I State Quarterfinals to eventual champ Henderson, the target is off the Leopards' back.
And in the build toward its Week 0 home opener Friday against Argyle at 7:30 p.m., Lovejoy doesn't mind the change.
It's a role reversal for the Leopards, whose steady ascension coupled with last year's District 11-3A Championship has raised the program's bar each year. Maintaining that consistency will be the target for 2011, a proposition trickier than years past as Lovejoy returns just 10 total starters; a far cry from the 16 it returned in 2010 and 22 in 2009.
But head coach Jim Bob Puckett has seen the current ensemble's potential.
"I've told these kids that this may be the most athletic team we've had; they just don't know it yet," he said. "On paper, we've got more strength and speed than we've ever had, but it's just a matter of getting that experience."
Amid the turnover in personnel, the offense will endure a 180 from last season. While it was the Leopards' skill position talent that anchored the workload, that unit will take a backseat to the offensive line on the experience front this fall.
"With the offensive line, I feel like we're pretty solid right now," Gordon said. "A lot of us worked together last year and the new guys we've added have stepped up. I think we'll be a solid group and the strength of this offense."
Gordon will be aided up front by seniors Dylan Bain, Hiram Muhammad, Jelani Rainey, Kyle Romano and Guy Roecker.
The experience of that unit will look to make life easier for junior quarterback Zach Saffle, who had just two pass attempts in 2010 as a backup to graduate Michael Means.
"Zach is coming along and getting comfortable with the offense," Puckett said. "We're trying to get more consistent on his feet and the passing sets. I think he throws a better ball than Michael, but obviously Michael had more of that running ability."
With receiving targets like seniors Zander Hamilton, Brandon McKenzie and Cameron Seay at his disposal, Saffle won't be thrown to the wolves from the onset. Giving his quarterback to acclimate himself to the varsity atmosphere as a starter, Puckett said Lovejoy may be more run-option-centric to start the season.
That means plenty of reps for junior Nick LaSane, who accrued 8 yards per carry in a backup role last season as the 11-3A Newcomer of the Year.
"[LaSane] is a hard, punishing runner," Puckett said. "We were watching an old Penn State game last night and there was (Miami Dolphins running back) Larry Johnson, Nick's second cousin, and it's eerie watching their two styles and how they run."
But like any starter, Puckett's concern is making sure his players are in prime game shape as several will see action on both sides of the ball.
LaSane will also be called upon to help an inexperienced batch of linebackers along with seniors Jerrod Ditmer, Scott Salamina and junior Thomas Kotecki.
The comfort level is a bit more apparent in the secondary and defensive line, with the defensive backs headlined by senior and four-year starter Trey Carson, plus Hamilton and junior Austin Turnbow. Up front, junior Slayton Shiels is joined by Gordon, Hiram and senior Nate O'Connor. A highly-touted prospect picking up steam on the Division I recruiting front, O'Connor's 2011 campaign may have to wait as the four-year starter is currently sidelined by a knee injury.
"There's no structural damage or anything," Puckett said. "It's just a little Osgood Slaughters situation we have to work through with his left knee. I don't think he'll be back this week, but we're just trying to get it to where he can rest it and it doesn't bother him for the rest of the season."
For the defensive personnel who will be in action Friday, Puckett emphasized a more fast-paced look with an emphasis on applying pressure and getting to the ball.
Following through on that front will be a lofty task opposite an Argyle squad mustering the same kind of preseason hype Lovejoy endured last year.
Puckett noted these next six weeks a chance for his Leopards "to find themselves," with everything building toward the Oct. 7 district opener against Prosper.
Taking care of business Friday would be a welcome start, as the outcome of last season's matchup between the Eagles and Leopards -- a 17-14 Argyle win -- is still fresh in the minds of the players.
"[This game] means a lot to us because Argyle took away our No. 1 ranking last year," Carson said. "It means something special to us because we haven't lost a home game in two years. That's a record we want to keep intact."
"It's personal," Hamilton added.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Sports «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
