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Calvert
Withnineexperiencedupperclassmenonroster,Trojanshaveeverythingtheyneedforlongplayoffrun
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By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com
TheCalvertTrojanshave been thinkingabout a state championship since walking off the field after last year’s60-47losstoRichland 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 nothingbutstate. Ifwelose, it’s gotta be in state, but we ain’t going to lose in state.”
The 5-foot-11, 160-pound Gilmoreisoneoffourseniors 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 DivisionII’smostvaluableoffensive 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 returningstartersondefense 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 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 afirst-teampickonoffense.
“Wehavemoretalentthan we didlastyear,”Greensaid. “I want to help the team to state, Iwanttodomorethan just be on the field.”
Green and Gilmore said attitudewillhavejustasbig aroleastalentintheteam’s success.
“I feel like leadership will take us a longer way than lastyear,”Greensaid.“Leadership willbe a bighelp.”
Gilmore said he’s now a leader.
“Leadership will help push these guys through,” Gilmore said. “I’m way morealeaderthisyear. You become a leader by just sittingback, playingyourrole andlearning. Youjusthave 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 haveadeepplayoffrun. The Trojans expect a rematch againstRichlandSpringsin bi-districtsincetheCoyotes 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 theyreach 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 under40 years of age.
Ashley was humbled by the honor, but said its shows his players whatcan beaccomplishediftheyput 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 District16,settingup 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,
FACTS
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 Playoffappearances (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 Playoffrecord — 34-30-2 (11-man 3-12-2; 6-man 31-18)
SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time Aug. 31 St. Joseph* 6 p.m.
Lastyear: didnotplay Sept. 6 TBA Sept. 13 at Bastrop Tribe 7:30 p.m.
Lastyear: didnotplay Sept. 20 at San Marcos HCC 7:30 p.m. Last year: did not play Sept. 27 Oakwood^ 7:30 p.m.
Lastyear: W46-35 Oct. 4 at Coolidge 7:30 p.m.
Lastyear: 28-19 Oct. 11 at Milford 7:30 p.m.
Lastyear: L 54-28
District 14-A Division II
Oct. 25 at Oglesby 7:30 p.m.
Lastyear: W53-8 Nov. 1 at Buckholts 7:30 p.m.
Lastyear: W45-0 Nov. 8 McDade 7:30 p.m.
Lastyear: W55-8 *at Allen Academy 6-Man Showcase ^Homecoming
has won three, including a 60- 57 victoryin 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.
