CALVERT TROJANS
Powerhouse 6-man squad bent on state title With nine experienced upperclassmen on roster, Trojans have everything they need for long playoff run FACTS
By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com
The Calvert Trojans have been thinking about a state championship since walking off the field after last year’s 60-47 loss to Richland Springs. “It was tough last year takingthatlossinthesecond round. It was very tough,” said Corderrius Gilmore, who plays fullback and cornerback. “But this year, it’s nothing but state. If we lose, it’s gotta be in state, but we ain’t going to lose in state.” The 5-foot-11, 160-pound Gilmoreisoneof fourseniors onanexperiencedsquadthat also includes five juniors. Sophomore quarterback David Williams (6-2, 220) and junior wide receivers Tre’Quinton Green (6-2, 180) and Billy Thompson (6-2, 165) are the other returning starters on offense. Williams is moving from center to under center to replace Matthew Steamer who was District 14-A Division II’s most valuable offensive player. The new offensive starters are senior slot back Danielshijon Hurst (5-11, 170) and junior center Davien Flentroy (5-11, 165). Joining Gilmore as returning starters on defense are Green at end, Flentroy at cornerback and Thompson at safety. Hurst is the other starting end and Williams is the nose guard. “Ifeelthatwehaveenough talent and overall football IQ to do something special this season,” Calvert coach Ja’Marcus Ashley said. Gilmore earned secondteam, all-state honors at fullback and Flentroy as a linebacker. Thompson
Head coach — Ja’Marucs Ashley (8-3 overall; 8-3 at Calvert) District — 14-A Division II 2018 record — 8-4 (3-0 in 14-A Division II) 2018 playoffs — bi-district: def. Trinidad 48-14; area: lost to Richland Springs 60-47 Playoff appearances (33) — 11-man (14) — 1923, 1938, 1946-47, 1949, 1952, 1958, 1967-68, 1970, 1989-91, 1994; 6-man (18) — 1998-99, 2001-11, 2013-18 Returning lettermen — 9 (4 offensive, 4 defensive starters) Key returners — C/CB Davien Flintroy (14-A D2 Def. MVP), TE Trequinton Green (A-D), FB/CB Corderrius Gilmore (A-D), WR/S Billy Thompson (A-D), TE/S Danielshijon Hurst (2nd A-D), QB/NG/P David Williams (2nd A-D) Key newcomers — Da’Vion Allen, Antonio Porter, Tavares Lyles, Cohan Thompson, Giovanni Diaz Key losses — Matthew Steamer Jr. (Off. MVP), C Darrius Brooks (2nd A-D), LB Derrick Stewart (2nd A-D) All-time record — 569-372 Playoff record — 34-30-2 (11-man 3-12-2; 6-man 31-18)
SCHEDULE Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie Calvert’s Corderrius Gilmore,Tre’Quinton Green and Danielshijon Hurst have spent the offseason focused on making another — and deeper — run in the Class A Division II playoffs this season after losing to Richland Springs in area last year. earned all-district honors both ways and Green was a first-team pick on offense. “Wehavemoretalentthan we did last year,” Green said. “I want to help the team to state, I want to do more than just be on the field.” Green and Gilmore said attitude will have just as big a role as talent in the team’s success. “I feel like leadership will take us a longer way than lastyear,”Greensaid.“Leadership will be a big help.” Gilmore said he’s now a leader. “Leadership will help push these guys through,” Gilmore said. “I’m way more a leader this year. You become a leader by just sitting back, playing your role
Thursday, August 29, 2019
and learning. You just have to absorb everything and become a leader.” The seniors have absorbed plenty. As sophomores they bounced back from a rare bi-district loss to Oakwood to get revenge against the Panthers in the regular season last year. Now this year’s goal is to have a deep playoff run. The Trojans expect a rematch against Richland Springs in bi-district since the Coyotes are ranked third by Texas Football and the Trojans seventh. All the Trojans players who attended The Eagle’s Annual Media Day talked about a possible rematch with Richland Springs, but also making sure they reach bi-district..
ROSTER 2 FB/CB Corderrius Gilmore, sr.; 3 QB/DT Antonio Porter, fr.; 4 RB/S JaQuarious Ford, soph.; 5 FB/CB Erwin Jones, jr.; 6 SB/LB Danielshijon Hurst, sr.; 7 WR/DE Tavares Lyles, fr.; 8 QB/DT David Williams, soph.; 9 WR/DE Billy Thompson Jr., jr.; 10 QB/DT Kevin Wooten, sr.; 11 C/DT Raylin Demerit, sr.; 12 WR/DE Tre’Quinton Green, jr.; 13 WR/S Deonte Schells, jr.; 14 FB/CB Davien Flentroy, jr.; 17 RB/S Cohan Thompson, fr.; 23 C/ DT Da’Vion Allen, fr.; Coaches: head coach Ja’Marcus Ashley, Michael Thomas
“Discipline helps make us a better football team,” Green said. Instilling discipline into the Trojans is second-year coach Ashley, a former Trojan standout who made Texas Football’s Texas 40 Under 40, which identified the best young football coaches in the Lone Star State under 40 years of age. Ashley was humbled by the honor, but said its shows his players what can be accomplished if they put
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in the work.
• NOTES — Calvert freshmen Da’Vion Allen and Antonio Porter lend muscle to the team’s speed. “Da’Vion is 6-3, 300,” Green said. “Antonio, he’s not as big, but he’s big.” ... This UIL biennial realignment put Calvert in District 14 and Richland Springs in District 16,setting up a second-round collision course. Their meeting last season was the 10th in postseason since 2002. Calvert, which starting playing 6-man football in 1998,
Date Opponent Time Aug. 31 St. Joseph* 6 p.m. Last year: did not play Sept. 6 TBA Sept. 13 at Bastrop Tribe 7:30 p.m. Last year: did not play Sept. 20 at San Marcos HCC 7:30 p.m. Last year: did not play Sept. 27 Oakwood^ 7:30 p.m. Last year: W 46-35 Oct. 4 at Coolidge 7:30 p.m. Last year: 28-19 Oct. 11 at Milford 7:30 p.m. Last year: L 54-28 District 14-A Division II Oct. 25 at Oglesby 7:30 p.m. Last year: W 53-8 Nov. 1 at Buckholts 7:30 p.m. Last year: W 45-0 Nov. 8 McDade 7:30 p.m. Last year: W 55-8 *at Allen Academy 6-Man Showcase ^Homecoming
has won three, including a 6057 victory in 2002 when the Trojans won a state championship. Richland Springs has won eight state titles since 2005, tying with Katy, Southlake Carroll and Celina. ... Last year, Richland Springs lost to Oakwood in the regional final 66-56. ... Calvert’s schedule includes Milford, the top-ranked team in Division I, last year’s runner-up.
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