Spartans look good in scrimmage
By Diana Royal Staff Writer

Hamp Wade #4 takes down a ball carrier in Friday's scrimmage against Curtis Baptist.

While their coach says they still have some work to do, the Spartans fared well in a pre-season scrimmage against Curtis Baptist last Friday.

According to head coach Jeremy Blackstock, Edmund Burke's game plan was to focus on three goals - knowing and executing all assignments, giving 100 percent effort on each play and staying mentally tough.

"I thought we did pretty well concerning those goals," Blackstock said, "but we will still need to improve in many different areas if we want to be where we think we need to be."

As a whole, Blackstock said he was pleased with the young team's effort but noted that, as a coach, you always notice the areas that need improvement.

"There are numerous things we need to fix," he said of his team, which lost eight starters on both sides of the ball just this season. "Position-wise I think the line play needs to be lower, our backs need to do a better job blocking downfield. Defensively, we need to be a bit more aggressive in our pursuit and capitalize on some big play opportunities."

THE MOTIVATOR #88 Adam Oglesby Coach says: I chose Adam as the team motivator because he is that one kid that will make sure everyone has the right attitude with whatever we are doing as a team. He is always wanting the team to grow closer off the field as well as on the field.

However, there were a few good surprises on the field, too, especially in the younger group of Spartans who "really came out and played with some intensity."

This season, Blackstock said he expects to see standout performances from juniors Jeremy Hayes and Hamp Wade.

"Hayes is a tremendous athlete with an incredible work ethic. This off season he really showed that he did not want to be just a 'good' player but wants to be a 'great' player," he said.

Wade served as the team's leading rusher last season, and Blackstock said his increased strength and maturity in the offseason will benefit the Spartans greatly.

"Both Jeremy and Hamp are pretty quiet by nature," he added, "but how they perform and act on the field speaks volumes."

QUICK FEET #5 Jeremy Hayes #4 Hamp Wade #12 Alex Rogers Coach says: We have several kids that could have been chosen as our fastest player. These were chosen not because of their 40-yard dash time but the explosive speed they display on the field in game situations.

Sophomore Tyler Rowland has done an "outstanding" job as QB, but Blackstock says freshman Alex Sturkie will also get some snaps. It's been their very different but effective styles that have made Blackstock comfortable with both players in the position. "They both work hard and understand more every day of what we are trying to accomplish."

While he is only a freshman, Sturkie's athleticism will allow him to contribute right away, Blackstock commented. "He has a knack for always being around the ball … and has made huge strides in the pre-season."

Other key players to watch for this season include junior Jordan Ansley who Blackstock describes as a "very tough kid who will do anything you ask him to do … he is the consummate team player."

TOUGH GUYS #5 Jeremy Hayes #50 Brett Jenkins # 72 Boyd Lively Coach says: I chose our strongest players simply based on the total of our four major core lifts - bench, squat, power clean and dead lift). Their high totals in these lifts clearly demonstrate they are our strongest.

Big things are also expected from linemen Brett Jenkins (junior) and Boyd Lively (sophomore) who are two of the Spartans' strongest players.

Tonight (Aug. 22), the Spartans will travel to Sparta where they will once again test their execution in a scrimmage against Nathanael Greene Academy of Siloam. SPARTAN SUPERLATIVES