Trojans hope to have same winning attitude with new faces in 2022

By RANDY CAPPS

Lee Webb made the transition from defensive coordinator to head coach at South Johnston last fall, and the result was an 8-3 record and the school's first playoff appearance since the 2019 season.

One of his first orders of business in the big chair was to reengage the communities of Four Oaks, Benson and Meadow with the program.

With a turnout of about 100 kids to the annual football camp this summer, that process has gone well, too.

“Good things are happening,” Webb said. “We’re getting ready to do some new things to our field (with new bleachers and a new press box). Ashley Ennis has taken over as AD, and he’s stressed the importance of getting everybody’s scoreboards up to date — baseball, softball and football. You can’t beat the type of support that we’ve had.”

Of course, change is the nature of high school sports, and it’s coming for the Trojans this fall.

With just two starters returning on offense and four more coming back on the defensive side of the ball, Webb is looking for some new leaders to emerge for this year’s squad.

“It comes down to us,” he said. “Offensively, defensively, we’re never going to be the biggest team out there. How hard we work in the weight room and on the practice field is what separates us on Thursday and Friday nights.”

“We’re going to be young. My thing is that these young guys, during that COVID year, a lot of guys didn’t play and they had to step up. These juniors coming up on varsity have two years of playing experience under their belts. I think they’re going to come in and take the lead from where the seniors left off last year.”

Lucas Layman is a building block for the Trojan defense after a junior campaign that featured 77 tackles, 16.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss.

“He’s trying to get his name out there, going to prospect camps and such,” he said. “He’s going to play a big role for us this year on defense, special teams and offense. We might put him in there a little bit as well. A lot of it is his motor and work ethic. Just trying to beat somebody. People look at him, and he’s tall and lanky. He weighs 200 pounds, but he’s real long and fast off the ball.”

Webb also singled out Lance Parker (45 tackles) and Angel Rodriguez (38 tackles) as potential leaders for the defense.

Offensively, the team is still looking for a successor to Paul Olive at quarterback. Riley Adams and Cole Parker are still competing for the spot at press time.

“They’re both going to play offense,” Webb said. “One just won’t be the quarterback. Cole, he’s someone we’re going to depend on, whether he’s at quarterback or playing at receiver somewhere. He’s a guy who, in the off season, has stepped it up in the weight room and come into his own. I’m glad to see it. He’s going to start somewhere. Same thing with Riley Adams. He’s got two years of JV experience.”

Senior Brandon Giles is the leading returning rusher with 91 yards and a score, Aiden Williams and Sadevion Ruffin are both in the backfield mix after picking up two years of JV experience.

Elliot Butler and Zack Sellers, who Webb says have “grown as much mentally as they have physically,” bring some experience and stability to the receiving position.

Offensive line is an area where, despite the youth of the group, Webb has reason for optimism.

“We’ve gone from barely having enough to get on the field to where we have 13 offensive linemen battling for five spots,” he said. “We’ve got one returner on the offensive line. That’s Amando (Guerrero) and I expect him to be a big leader for us. He’s very vocal in practice and he knows our expectations. We’ve got some senior guys who are fighting for spots. That’s Jason Hines and Kameron Corey, and they’re wanting it pretty bad right now. They’ve worked their tails off in the weight room and in spring ball to make sure those spots are theirs.

“Competition breeds championships. And that’s what we’re looking for.”

Check out South Johnston's 2022 schedule here: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/four-oaks/south-johnston-trojans/football/schedule/