| HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS | Thursday, August, 24, 2006 |
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HUNTINGTON -- Huntington High's run of football good luck ran out in 2005. The Highlanders followed up two consecutive eight-win, playoff seasons with a disapp ointing 2-8 campaign.
But the Highlanders have put last year behind them and have an experienced group back with their eyes on a third playoff berth in four years.
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"We should have a better year than last year and everybody is working harder," said senior Drew Cummings, a tight end and defensive end. "We have a lot more experience and depth than last year. Nobody wants to have another season like that."
The disappointment and fall out of the playoffs last year was largely attributed to inexperience, chiefly on the offensive line. The Highlanders started five new offensive linemen last year, and all five are back with some added depth this year.
Mickey Farley (5-foot-10, 220 pounds) and J.B. Lageman (6-4, 235) started as sophomores last year and were joined by juniors Bobby Gleason (6-3, 285), Matt Rowsey (6-1, 210), Tommy Tomblin (6-2, 240) and lone senior Ryan Cook. Cook is the only member of the unit gone from last year and the Highlanders added Finley Hammond (6-1, 245), Marcus Deramus (6-1, 260) and Chris Withers (5-10, 190) to that group.
"They're bigger, faster and stronger than a year ago, but we still have to work on working as a unit," coach Richard Williams said. "We got better as the season went on last year and every single one of those kids it was the first time they had stepped on the varsity field. They're a lot more comfortable and know what it takes to win."
Williams said the linemen grew up a lot last year. The Huntington quarterbacks and running backs spent most of last season scrambling for openings, but starting tailback Michael Taylor expects things to be different this year.
"They were young last year and they've been in the weight room all summer long preparing for this," Taylor said. "Last year, everybody's confidence kind of went down by the end of the year. But that just motivates us to do better this year and everybody is working hard to make sure that happens."
Taylor is joined in the backfield by Daniel Fuller, both returning starters. Fuller was consistent when given carries as fullback and was a change of pace to Taylor's scat-back style. Williams is comfortable with both players as primary ball carriers but also has depth at the position with Brady Martin, Willis Johnson and J.R.Voitelle at tailback and Chris Thevenin and Tim Cook at fullback.
Dustin Young is a returning starter at wide receiver. The senior leads a pass-catching group that features junior QB/WR Michael Morton, Oregonian transfer Chuck Holcomb and sophomores Lindsey Johnson and Joey Christian. Seniors Tyler Sacconi and Cummings will split time at tight end where they shared snaps with departed senior Marc Maynard last year.
The biggest change offensively from 2005 is the quarterback. Gone is Heath Thomas, the all-state basketball and football star who was a three-year football starter. In his place is Mississipi-based senior transfer Isaiah Keyes, the younger brother of Marshall University defensive back Curtis Keyes.
Keyes is billed as a Division I athlete being sought after by Marshall, West Virginia and several Southeastern Conference schools according to Williams. But for now Keyes is sidelined with a nagging knee injury. If Keyes can't go in the opener tonight against Capital, then Williams would turn to sophomore C.J. Crawford or Morton. Morton was Thomas' backup last season but moving him to quarterback limits the depth and athleticism at receiver.
"Adding Isaiah Keyes and Holcomb on top of the people we had returning makes us feel real good about our skill people," Williams said. "He (Keyes) could be back for Capital and could be out as long as six weeks. It shouldn't change it all for us if he can't go, although it changes depth, because C.J. and Michael have the same type of athletic skill as Isaiah."
Williams figures even if Keyes can't play early that his offense will be much better because of the experienced offensive line. He believes the Highlanders can move the chains with a ground game and burn teams with the pass.
But the defense isn't as definitive yet. Cummings, Lageman and Taylor are returning starters, but Williams must fill every linebacker position where he lost Maynard, Keith Lee and Kolby Johnson to graduation. Fuller will start at one of the linebacker spots along with Lindsey Johnson. Depending on how many offensive snaps Rowsey plays, he could also play linebacker. Others in the mix are sophomores Oscar Arreola, Ray Brown and Marcus Jones.
The defensive line is solid with Cummings, a potential all-conference pick, Lageman and Sacconi rotating at end. Williams is still experimenting with interior matchups between seniors Rob Hensley and Joel Day, juniors Dakota Dishman and Dustin Woods and sophomores John Castillo and Andrew Senior. The offensive and defensive lines are the units Williams would prefer not have play both ways, but all could see time both ways.
The defensive backfield is very athletic. Taylor and Keyes will play safety if rested and healthy. Crawford and Morton could also see time there with little dropoff. Willis Johnson has earned a spot in the defensive backfield, most likely at cornerback.
Junior Aaron Burns is back to handle kicking and punting duties.
It's a far more experienced group than last year, and essentially no players remain from Huntington's consecutive playoff teams in 2003 and 2004. Only Taylor had a minor role on the 8-3 2004 squad.
But there are 15 seniors and 15 sophomores compared to 11 seniors and 10 juniors a year ago. So, the Highlanders are rebuilding. But they believe the rebuilding no longer has to include losing.
"We were blessed with talent that had played since they were sophomores, and when that ran out last year it was time we had to get a little experience," Williams said. "Like most programs, it's time for us to bounce back a little. We have enough that we can play with anybody in the state of West Virginia, but if we don't play with the toughness we have exhibited in the past there are no gimmees in this conference.
"If we continue to develop like we have in camp, we should be a playoff team."
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By Travis Hubbard
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