Gridiron Guide 2015

GRIDIRON GUIDE

2015

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Washington Pam Pack Northside Panthers Southside Seahawks

COLLEGE FOOTBALL East Carolina Pirates

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE WASHINGTON DAILY NEWS

2C • Friday, August 21, 2015

GRIDIRON GUIDE

2015

Football www.TheWashingtonDailyNews.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Washington Pam Pack 4C Northside Panthers 5C Southside Seahawks 6C

COLLEGE FOOTBALL East Carolina Pirates 7C Impact Players 8C

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4C • Friday, August 21, 2015

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WASHINGTON PAM PACK Two points away from high school football’s zenith, the Washington Pam Pack return thirsty for a 2-A state title.

But this year, the team will have to do without a core of playmakers, 26 seniors that were leaned heavily on during the historic 16-game slate.

The road to the state championship will be much rockier in 2015. While still boasting the title of Eastern Plains Conference favorite for a third-straight season, the Pam Pack’s many positional questions open the door for one of the table’s five other teams to pounce. Head coach Sport Sawyer enters the season banking on senior leadership at key positions like linebacker and offensive line, coupled with up-and-coming youth,

to keep his team on the winning end.

Despite the positions in question, other area coaches envy Washington’s sheer depth, especially with a jayvee squad that had so much success in 2014. If the Pam Pack’s young players can transition to a varsity-level skillset by the time conference play comes around on Oct. 9, the team should have the size and athletes to compete in the postseason.

Washington will be tested early with a collection of six tough nonconference games, including matchups against Havelock, Plymouth and Roanoke Rapids, a team the Pam Pack met in the third round of the state tournament in November. Last year set a new standard for Pam Pack football. Now, that championship-or-bust mentality is passed down to the next generation.

BEFORE THE SNAP COLORS: Blue, White STADIUM: J.G. Choppy Wagner Stadium (2,500 seats) CONFERENCE: Eastern Plains

BY THE NUMBERS

8

HEAD COACH: Sport Sawyer (overall and at Washington 84-57) DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jon Blank STAFF: Dewayne Kellum (OL), Johnny Rodman (TE), Alex Heck (DL), Eric Peartree (RB), Ronnie Woolard (DB), James Hamblin (S), Jerome Tyson (OL/ DL), Terrance Copper (WR), Nathan Davies (JV), Kent Hill (JV), William Wescott (JV), Mike Nichols (JV)

The number of teams Washington will face this season that posted winning records in 2014. Five of those teams had 10 or more victories.

LAST CONFERENCE TITLE: 2014 RETURNING STARTERS: 4 offense, 3 defense PLAYERS TO WATCH: MLB Lexroy Brown, MLB Brandon Jackson, OL Neill Jennings, C Connor Sawyer, RB Hykeem Ruffin

OFFENSE: PISTOL, WING-T Graduated running back Markel Spencer is irreplaceable, a point Sawyer reiterates often. To the coaching staff, it’s not so much about replacing a once-in-a-decade kind of running back, but rather replicating his production. That certainly is achievable.

With Washington’s depth comes an embedded stable of running backs, some who received significant time during the state championship run last season, especially when the starting jayvee backs were promoted following the end of the jayvee season in November.

Sophomore Hykeem Ruffin is the favorite to assume the role of feature back for the new-look Pam Pack. At 5 feet, 11 inches, Ruffin is taller and lighter than Spencer, whose game was built upon breakaway speed in the open field. Ruffin is a different kind of runner — crafty and nimble with footwork comparable to his predecessor. And similar to Stepfon Rodman, last year’s third-string back and a 400-meter dash state champion in track, Clinton Pope’s game is built on sheer acceleration. Pope averaged seven yards a carry in his limited playing time and was the team’s fourth-leading rusher. Joining Ruffin and Pope in the backfield will be senior Jarquez Keyes, a power back who will likely be utilized in shortyardage situations and Swae Poe. Junior Sharwan Staton brings to the quarterback position a dynamic Washington went without last year:

pocket and lateral mobility. At just 5’-9”, Staton piloted the Washington jayvee team to a 9-1 finish and a conference championship. This summer, Sawyer has molded the offense to fit his new quarterback’s ability, subtracting some of the more traditional run-heavy pistol calls and adding more wing-T-based plays from under center. The offense, as it always has, will operate around the running backs, but expect Staton to throw more than Patrick Thompson did in 2014.

Former Pam Pack player Terrance Copper brings 10 years of NFL experience to the table in his new role as receivers’ coach. He’s spent the offseason working with guys like Staton, Matt Black and Hassan Credle on play calls and route running, adding yet another offensive dynamic.

Tight ends Drew Ferguson and Cody Godley have the athleticism to be impact receivers and playmakers on offense, but need to develop in terms of blocking ability.

Protecting the inexperience will be the offensive line, a senior-laden position and the foundation behind everything Washington is trying to accomplish. All three starters — center Connor Sawyer, left guard Joe Randolph and right guard Neill Jennings — started every game for last year’s team and have the size to match up with every defensive line on the schedule. The trio will be key in allowing a young backfield to develop.

DEFENSE: 3-4 When you look back at last season, the offense numbers stood out, but it was the defense that really carried the Pam Pack to the promised land. Following a 37-6 beat down by Havelock in the season opener, Washington recalibrated and held 14 of the next 15 opponents to under 20 points, notching five shutouts and averaging less than 10 points a game for the season — impressive, maybe even historic numbers.

This year, the defensive line consists of mostly new faces and Credle is the only returner in the secondary. At 5’7”, 182 pounds, junior Raekwon Ross is undersized but athletic enough to earn starting position, while Matt Swales comes in as the biggest of the Pam Pack lineman at 270 pounds. For them, the goal will be forcing stalemates and allowing inside linebackers Brandon Jackson and Lexroy Brown to contain

the middle of the field.

Jackson and Brown, with seven years combined varsity experience, are the focal point of the defense. Both are fast, explosive and powerful enough to tackle mostly anything that comes their way. In terms of numbers, they are the players to watch this season for Washington.

Credle was consistent in defending the pass last season. He’ll be joined by freshman defensive back Quashawn Gaynor, while Logan Little, Cooper Anderson and Nazzir Hardy will split time at safety. It’s an athletic but young secondary, one that will need to work through some growing pains in order to be playoff ready.

Matching the defensive production of last season is likely unrealistic.

However, if the younger defensive players can work around Jackson and Brown, it should be enough to contain most running games.

SPECIAL TEAMS At the 1-A and 2-A classifications, special teams can make or break a season. Washington had some consistency in that respect, but the big play eluded them — whether that’s a 35-plus-yard field goal or an 80-yard kick return.

This year, the big play element is there in a roster stocked with speed and a new face in the kicking game.

Punt and kickoff return options range from Pope to Black to Gaynor, while Kyle Hodges, the striker from the

Washington soccer team, will join Ben McKeithan and junior Alban Paul in the kicking game.

On the soccer field, Hodges had one of the strongest right foots on the team, an aspect Sawyer is hoping will translate to the gridiron. McKeithan, a junior, has a year of experience under his belt kicking extra points and short field goals. After a couple of games, all three kickers should find their niche on special teams.

5C • Friday, August 21, 2015

2015 Gridiron Guide www.TheWashingtonDailyNews.com

IMPACT PLAYER

LEXROY BROWN Force to be reckoned with

Alongside teammate Brandon Jackson, Washington’s Lexroy Brown is the county’s most dynamic defensive talent returning this season, a piece to arguably the best duo of inside linebackers in team history.

Brown has all the intangibles to play football at the collegiate level next year — strong with great acceleration, a raw talent with two varsity seasons under his belt.

Gone are defensive playmakers like Jamond Ebron, E.J. Peartree and Jeremiah Windley, but there are no reservations from Brown as to what this front seven is capable of in 2015.

“What we lost in size and strength we got back in speed,” Brown said of the defense. “We have positions that we lost where we can input another player. We have to move on from what we lost and gain something from it, go out and play harder. It’s just a developing point from now to the first game.”

Despite losing six players who recorded more than 70 total tackles, the Pam Pack gets back its star, who led the team and county with 185 tackles (87 solo).

He also recorded the second-most team

sacks (7.5), came down with one interception and forced two fumbles, one that he returned 80 yards for a touchdown.

There are many question marks on both sides of the ball entering the season for the Pam Pack. Inside linebacker is not one of them.

“Lexroy has the God-given talent to run and be athletic,” said head coach Sport Sawyer. “He has a motor and when he gets that motor going, he’s coming after you. We’re excited to see both Brandon (Jackson) and Lexroy.

They have very, very similar styles.”

Traditionally more reserved vocally, Brown is taking on a new role as the defensive leader.

“I have to be more talkative,” he said.

“Last year, I could just go out and play and rely on my teammates more. Now, they rely on me, so it’s all about stepping up and being more of a leader this year. Playing as a team, we treat each other as brothers.”

Brown will lead a defense that allowed less than 10 points per game. If the front seven can replicate last season’s production, Washington will be primed for another run in 2015.

PAM PACK

LEXROY BROWN LINEBACKER

3 THINGS TO WATCH FOR 1. Washington’s deepest position is undoubtedly running back, where three or four guys are expected to get significant time. Hykeem Ruffin and Clinton Pope are two runners with feature-back ability, so that combination should be interesting to watch, especially during a tough nonconference schedule.

2. Middle linebackers Lexroy Brown and Brandon Jackson both have the ability to put up all-state-worthy numbers in 2015. Sawyer anticipates a young defense to rally around its go-to producers and limit the running game.

3. With experience as an NFL wideout, Terrance Copper brings a new component to what’s already a knowledgeable coaching staff. Quarterback Sharwon Staton and his receiving corps will showcase a series of new passing plays this season.

2014 RESULTS (14-2, 5-0 EASTERN PLAINS) L at Havelock 37-6 W at Tarboro 42-7 W D.H Conley 30-24 W West Craven 35-7 W at Riverside 33-0 W Kinston 21-0 W at Farmville Central 13-12 W Southwest Edgecombe 20-13 W at Beddingfield 47-13 W North Pitt 32-7 W at North Johnston 48-0 PLAYOFFS W North Pitt 35-7 W Kinston 30-0 W Roanoke Rapids 28-0 W Northeastern 41-17 L East Lincoln 14-13

2015 SCHEDULE Aug. 21 Havelock Aug. 28 Tarboro Sept. 9 at D.H. Conley Sept. 18 Roanoke Rapids Sept. 25 at Kinston Oct. 1 at Plymouth Oct. 9 Farmville Central Oct. 16 at Southwest Edgecombe Oct. 23 Beddingfield Oct. 30 at North Pitt Nov. 6 North Johnston

COACH’S CORNER “They work hard, lifted weights, came all summer, did track.

They’ve done the things we’ve asked them to do to get better, but that being said, you have to go on the field and be a player. There’s some talent there, but at the same time you have to execute.”

-SPORT SAWYER

2015 PAM PACK ROSTER No. Name Pos. Year Ht. Wt. 1 Clinton Pope RB, DB Sr. 5-8 165 2 Ben McKeithan K, P Jr. 5-0 140 3 Hykeem Ruffin RB, LB So. 5-11 170 4 Jahsean Smith DB, WR Jr. 5-8 140 5 Suae Poe LB, RB Jr. 5-7 185 6 Qumel Boston RB, DB Sr. 5-5 140 7 Sharwan Staton QB, DB Jr. 5-9 153 9 Jarquez Keyes RB, LB Sr. 5-10 191 10 Hasaan Credle WR, S Sr. 6-1 170 12 Matthew Black WR, DB Jr. 5-9 145 18 Tripp Barfield QB, S Jr. 5-11 165 21 Quashawn Gaynor CB, ATH Fr. 6-0 175 22 Brandon Jackson ILB, FB Sr. 6-1 225 24 Lexroy Brown ILB, FB Sr. 6-0 240 28 Nazzir Hardy LB, DB So. 6-0 155 30 Jaquez Ruffin CB, RB So. 5-10 150 32 Uriah Lawrence OLB, ATH Jr. 6-0 180 34 Logan Little S, TE Jr. 6-0 160 41 Austin O’Neal DE, OL Jr. 6-0 175 42 Mark Halbert II LB, OL Jr. 5-7 177 44 Cody Godley LB, TE Jr. 5-11 170 45 Alban Paul K Jr. 5-9 145 50 Neill Jennings OL, DL Sr. 6-0 245 52 Ezekiel Fonville DL, OL Jr. 5-11 230 55 Joshua Smith DE, TE Sr. 6-2 220 56 Kenny Castenado T Jr. 6-0 168 60 Mason Vick OG, LB Jr. 5-7 175 62 Matt Swales T, DT Sr. 5-10 270 63 Conner Sawyer C, DL Sr. 5-11 220 65 Josh Padgett LB, OL Sr. 6-1 170 69 Joe Randolph LB, OL Sr. 5-8 205 70 Davis Beeman OL, DL Jr. 6-0 170 72 Jackson Allen OL, DL Jr. 5-10 240 74 Raekwon Ross DL, OL Jr. 5-7 182 78 Daquaris McCullough DL, OL Jr. 5-10 280 81 Cooper Anderson DB, TE So. 5-11 150 84 Kyle Hodges K, P Sr. 88 Drew Ferguson TE, DE So. 6-1 185 89 Rontayvion Floyd CB, WR Jr. 5-8 170 99 Jassiem Lawrence DT, OL So. 5-11 280

6C • Friday, August 21, 2015

2015 Gridiron Guide www.TheWashingtonDailyNews.com

NORTHSIDE PANTHERS Unbothered by the apparent underdog label, the Northside Panthers enter the season undersized and without a marquee name on their young, 35-plus-man roster. For a team in the midst of the county’s longest conference title drought, the search for an identity continues, but spirits are high.

This season marks 10 years since le gendary head coach Bing Mitchell navigated the Panthers to a 12-3 record and an easter n regional final appearance in his final year at the helm. Headlined by a talented flex player named C.J. Wilson, the 2005 Panthers had the luxury of depth and size, two crucial ingredients for suc-

cess in the 1-A classification.

In 2015, head coach Keith Boyd does not have that luxury. For the first time in years, Northside is without a junior varsity squad and of fensive lineman Tyler Dugger is the lone senior with varsity experience. In all, Boyd has just five seniors on what’s shaping up to be a youth-driven roster.

But with youthful exubera n c e c o m e s r aw i n e x p e r i ence, which isn’t necessarily a disadvantage for a program looking to rebuild, retool and restructure. It’s spawned realistic expectations and a noholds-barred, nothing-to-lose attitude that everyone in the program seems to be comfortable with.

BEFORE THE SNAP COLORS: Black, White, Silver STADIUM: Bing Mitchell Stadium (1,000 seats) CONFERENCE: Coastal Plains

BY THE NUMBERS

2,752

HEAD COACH: Keith Boyd (at Northside and overall: 35-67) STAFF: Jay Mason (DB), Sonny Robbins (OL/DL), Jerontae Johnson (Special Teams)

The total yards of offense generated by Northside seniors in 2014. A young Panthers team will look to its backfield of James Barrow, Chris Slade and quarterback Jackson Midgette to compensate for the loss.

LAST CONFERENCE TITLE: 1992 RETURNING STARTERS: 3 offense, 1 defense KEY LOSSES: TB Rockne Butler, OL Colby Woolard, QB Noel Howson, CB Kermani Slade, FB Ethan Gurganus PLAYERS TO WATCH: OL Tyler Dugger, TB James Barrow, RB Tyrece Taylor, QB Jackson Midgette, HB Chris Slade

OFFENSE: POWER-I, DOUBLE-WING For the last three years, running back Rockne Butler has been the catalyst to Northside’s offense, executing a thick, run-heavy playbook with ease, racking up yardage as the linchpin to the power-I and double-wing sets. With Butler’s graduation last May, however, the Panthers lost more than 1,500 yards of production. Now, the coaching staff must restock a backfield that almost single-handedly carried the team to the playoffs last season.

The key to Northside mirroring Butler’s success is the offensive line, which is built around Dugger, a right guard. Boyd hopes Dugger can be the catalyst behind a power running game by opening up gaps and giving the backfield time to operate. Duggar will line up alongside guards Leland Flanagan and Jacob Boyd in an option-based offense that will feature more passing than previous years.

A year removed from last season’s quarterback battle, former jayvee quarterback Jackson Midgette has earned the starting job, taking over for recent graduate Noel Howson, who racked up 439

yards on the ground. Midgette had some difficulty adjusting to Northside’s playbook last season, but has made leaps and bounds learning the of fense this of fseason.

He’ll provide a passing dynamic the Panthers have been craving.

Working in the system, Midgette’s primary targets on passing plays will be the tight ends, Rhys Alligood and Dawson Jackson, who will spend most of their minutes blocking up front.

Boyd sees star ting tailback James Barrow, the most integral piece to the Northside offense, as a Butler-style runner — strong and agile with efficient lateral movement. Barrow should receive the bulk of the carries, while scrappy scat back Tyrece Taylor will fill in on a situational basis. Look for fullback Shaheim Brewington to be used in short-yardage situations and halfback Chris Slade to be utilized on third and long.

Development is priority No. 1 for Northside. In what’s expected to be a competitive Coastal Plains Conference, the season should be a good test for an unproven offense, a chance for the players to familiarize with the system.

DEFENSE: 5-2 The apparent lack of size on the Northside roster gives the coaching staff little choice but to employ a 5-2 defensive formation, hoping quantity will trump individual mass. It’s a stepping-stone formation that Boyd hopes will evolve overtime, possibly even this season.

Positional flexibility is a requirement for smaller 1-A schools. For Northside, that hasn’t changed.

With preseason injuries to linebackers Parker Boyd and Manuel Mendoza, Taylor and Barrow will have to translate their offensive strength to the other side of the ball, patrolling the middle of the field and supporting an underdeveloped defensive line at linebacker. The first line of defense will be Jason Pastor, Jacob

Boyd, Dawson Jackson and Mark Godley with Ray Freeman filling in on the back side.

The ultimate goal is to force stalemates up front with opposing lines, most of which will outdo Northside’s size. Staying low, getting under the shoulder pads to gain leverage and staying aggressive will be the keys to rushing the passer.

While most of the teams the Panthers will face this season rely on the run, conference foe East Carteret is a quick, pass-heavy team that utilizes crossing routes down the center of the field. Safeties Memphis Slade and Matthew Marslender should be quick enough to guard against the deep ball, while Cashmir Blount and Kenan Wilkinson will be the Xfactors at defensive back.

SPECIAL TEAMS The kicking game has traditionally been Northside’s biggest question mark entering the season over the last few years — extra points, kickoffs and field goals included. And in 2015, it’s a luxury the team will go without. And without a kicker, two-point conversions will be the Panthers’ only option.

On fourth and long situations, Boyd is confident in Barrow’s ability as a punter and says 35-40 yards an attempt is not out of the question.

Blount and Slade, two of the fastest open-field runners on the team, will be Northside’s primary kick returners.

7C • Friday, August 21, 2015

2015 Gridiron Guide www.TheWashingtonDailyNews.com

IMPACT PLAYER

TYLER DUGGAR Lining up a leader

Of the five seniors on the Northside roster, lineman Tyler Dugger is the only one who suited up in all 12 games last season, a testament to the team’s unquestioned youth. Call him a leader by default.

While many high-school players would be overwhelmed with assuming such a position, Dugger, a 5’-9”, 260-pound defensive tackle, is embracing his new role as the team’s most physical presence and most experienced leader.

“It makes me want to work harder because the football players coming up aren’t as big as past years,” he said. “It makes me want to push them harder.

I know they can play better than any other team Northside has had, but they just have to want to.

“The other linemen, they follow what I do, so I have to set a good example. If I play my hardest, then they’ll play their hardest. I want to lead by example.”

Dugger has the size and physicality to match up with any lineman in the Coastal Plains Conference, but he can’t be duplicated. His linemates lack his size and are mostly familiar with football at the jayvee level. Therefore, head coach Keith Boyd will try to operate the offense with Dugger in mind.

“Tyler is one of our few lettermen returning from last year, so he gives us experience,” Boyd said. “He’s doing a good job taking some of the young guys under his wing. He’s the strongest kid we have and can move well. We’re going

to run behind him an awful lot. Threeand-four-yard runs are going to be good for us this year.”

Being a senior comes with the eagerness to win now. However, this season is bound to be a work in progress with improvement coming each week and in small doses. Dugger realizes that and he’s certainly buying into the process, but he also believes fielding a competitive team every week isn’t entirely unrealistic. He’s accepting that underdog mentality.

“We need to show them that the underdog isn’t always the worst team in the conference,” Dugger said. “It would be great if we could come out and win the conference being the underdogs. That would blow everybody’s minds.”

To do so, the players will need to rally around the defensive line, an area that struggled defending the run last season.

Guards Jacob Boyd and Leyland Flanagan, a senior, will share the line with Dugger in hopes of keeping a young offense in the game.

Whatever is in the cards for Northside this season, Dugger sees the team’s young core as a great place to start the rebuilding process.

“If this team right now keeps practicing and playing as hard as they do now, they’ll be a really good team in a couple of years,” he said. “They just need to keep putting in the work.

“They may be little, but they have the biggest hearts. That alone will take them a ways.”

NORTHSIDE PANTHERS

TYLER DUGGER DEFENSIVE TACKLE

3 THINGS TO WATCH FOR 1. Northside is looking to develop a passing game, something it hasn’t had in years, with first-year varsity starter Jackson Midgette. Boyd believes his young quarterback can learn the playbook and add a different aspect to the Panthers’ offense.

2. Losing football can have an adverse affect on players’ resilience, as well as a team’s numbers. Last season, the roster size was significantly larger on opening night compared to the last playoff game.

Boyd hopes his younger players will buy into the rebuilding process and concentrate on improving individually and as a whole.

3. While James Barrow is expected to be the primary back, Chris Slade is a sleeper at the position. Recognized as one of the fastest players on the team, Slade should turn some heads if he can remain healthy for the full season.

2014 RESULTS (4-8, 2-3 COASTAL PLAINS) W at Creswell 50-0 W North Duplin 44-27 L at Southside 40-8 L South Creek 48-38 L at Edenton Holmes 48-12 L North Pitt 46-16 L Southside 37-6 L at Pamlico County 41-14 W at Jones Senior 32-26 (2OT) L East Carteret 52-46 W Lejeune 52-18 PLAYOFFS L North Duplin 56-28

2015 SCHEDULE Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 9 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Creswell at North Duplin Southside at South Creek Riverside at North Pitt at Southside Pamlico County Jones Senior East Carteret at Lejeune

COACH’S CORNER “We’re looking down the road long term, hoping to keep everyone healthy and come back next year and be where we want to be. We understand we’re going to have some growing pains and do some things that aren’t quite right, but we’re going to stick with them, coach them, do we best we can and stay as positive as we can be.”

- KEITH BOYD

2015 PANTHERS ROSTER # Name Position Gr. Ht Wt 5 Chris Slade SB, SS, CB Jr. 5-9 140 7 Shikeem Carter TE, OLB So. 5-9 175 10 Jackson Midgette QB, CB, FS Jr. 5-8 150 11 Matthew Marslender QB, SS So. 5-7 145 12 Tyrece Taylor RB, OLB Jr. 14 Cashmir Blount CB Sr. 5-10 175 15 Kenan Wilkinson SB, FS, CB Jr. 5-8 145 16 Devonte Slade CB Jr. 5-9 150 20 James Barrow RB, MLB Jr. 5-9 190 21 Quan Spencer SB, CB Jr. 5-6 145 22 Cameron Cahoon FB, MLB So. 5-8 145 23 Shaheim Brewington FB, MLB Jr. 5-8 170 24 Tanner Alligood OLB, SB So. 5-11 150 30 Antwan Peele CB Fr. 5-10 150 31 Joshua Peacock CB Sr. 5-10 165 32 Johnathan Clark MLB, RB Fr. 5-11 145 33 Memphis Slade-Credle FS So. 5-5 145 35 Kyreck Carter TE, FS, CB Jr. 5-10 125 42 Parker Boyd TE, MLB So. 6-0 150 44 Manuel Mendoza MLB Sr. 5-11 210 50 Leland Flanagan C, G, DT Sr. 5-10 235 51 Peyton Adams G, OLB Fr. 6-1 170 52 Mark Godley NG, DT Jr. 5-11 160 53 Zachary Griffin C, LS, DT So. 5-10 190 54 Parker Alligood T, DT, DE Fr. 5-10 210 55 Jacob Boyd G, DE Jr. 6-2 175 60 Micah Spencer T, DT, DE Fr. 5-11 230 70 Anthony Oro G, DT So. 5-7 195 71 Jason Pastore DT So. 5-7 255 72 Samuel Arias G, DT Fr. 5-10 245 73 Tyler Dugger T, DT Sr. 5-9 260 75 Laekwon Flynn T, DT, DE Jr. 6-0 250 80 Rhys Alligood TE, OLB Jr. 5-11 175 82 Owen Doan TE, OLB Fr. 5-9 145 83 Zack Woolard TE Jr. 5-10 180 84 Dawson Jackson DE, TE So. 6-2 175 85 Tyreck Brown CB So. 5-11 170 88 Raydarius Freeman TE, OLB So. 6-1 180

8C • Friday, August 21, 2015

2015 Gridiron Guide www.TheWashingtonDailyNews.com

SOUTHSIDE SEAHAWKS Expectations are soaring for the Southside Seahawks — pun intended. Coming off a 10-4 season, words like rebuilding and undersized are no longer in the Seahawks’ vocabulary, as they return a slew of senior role players, more than any other team in the county, who contributed on both sides of the ball last season. If all the pieces come together, a conference championship is within reach and playoff success a distinct possibility.

In two seasons at the helm, h e a d c o a c h Je f f C a r r ow turned a 3-9 pretender into a playoff competitor. Simply put, the players trusted in themselves and learned how to win. Now, that winning mentality has become contagious, although the coaching staff isn’t ready to disclose their pro g ram’s inter nal goals just yet. That’s for their ears only.

For a 1-A football team,

Southside has weapons on both sides of the ball, beginning with senior Lawrence Brown, who was selected as a Blue-Grey All-American earlier this month. Brown oozes confidence and will be one of the county’s top players to watch in 2015.

Southside will compete in a Coastal Plains Conference that will be better, but is certainly up for grabs. Lejeune, a team that went 13-2 in 2013

and 0-11 in 2014, is virtually always a toss up, while the defending conference champion Pamlico County has the athletes to be a consistent threat.

Under the new leadership of coach Caleb King, who won three state championships as an assistant at Havelock, traditionally pass-heavy East Carteret is expected to contend for a conference title, despite having a losing record last season.

BEFORE THE SNAP COLORS: Navy, Teal, Old Gold STADIUM: The Nest (2,000 seats) CONFERENCE: Coastal Plains

BY THE NUMBERS

3,340

HEAD COACH: Jeff Carrow (at Southside and overall: 13-13) DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Andrea Quinerly STAFF: Clarence Baker (WR), David Dixon (LB), Robert Brown (DL), T.J. Jordan (OL), Kam Rouse (JV), Davelle Whitney (JV), John Sullivan (Util.), Charlie Clark (Manager), Alex Silva (Film), Otis Harrel (EMT), Sam Williams (EMT)

The number of yards rushing generated by returning offensive players last season.

Southside has six or seven guys capable of receiving a significant amount of carries.

LAST CONFERENCE TITLE: 2005 RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense, 7 defense KEY LOSSES: OL Austin Jordan, RB Donshae Miller, DB Wil Mumford, LB Donald Moore, WR Raquan Ward PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Lawrence Brown, MLB Hunter Sparks, WB Matt Baxter, OL Donshae Tatum, DE/FB Dylan Lewis

OFFENSE: WING-T Since the days of former head coach Dewayne Kellum, Southside has lived (two state championship appearances) and died (eight losing seasons in 16 years) by its signature wing-T offense, a popular option for 1-A schools with multiple athletes capable of running the football efficiently. This season, Southside comes fully loaded with an arsenal of capable running backs who boast different running styles to keep opponents guessing, working in a system that had so much success last year.

Of those returning senior runners, Brown rushed for 1271 yards on 177 carries (7.2 average) in 2014, while Matt Baxter notched 989 yards on 120 carries (8.2 average).

That pair should be the constant on offense, but there is also a medley of potential x-factors buried within the roster, beginning with Dylan Lewis.

The 6’-2”, 190-pound senior fullback suffered a mid-season injury last September, but still finished as the Seahawks’ fourth leading rusher with 626 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Lewis returns along with speedster Zikajah Crawford and sophomore Brandon Sullivan, who rushed for nearly five yards a carry as freshman after his late-season call up

from jayvee. There are three to four other options that also could see some playing time at wingback.

But in a system that relies so much on lateral movement, the offensive line is crucial. It also happens to be Southside’s biggest question mark entering opening night.

After losing standout guard Austin Jordan to graduation, senior Donshae Tatum, at 6’-2”, 282 pounds, takes over as the centerpiece to the offensive line, while guys like Loyed Moore, Nicholas Baugham and Rae’kwon Morning could also fill in.

At the quarterback position, Southside returns Johnny Sullivan, who was a solid game manager before injuring his arm in an October game against South Creek, and Marshall Medlock, a lengthy thrower who limited turnovers through the final eight games. It’s Johnny Sullivan’s footwork that gives him a slight advantage entering the season.

With quarterback locked in, more passing will be introduced to the offense, as the split end will become a position of increased importance.

Carrow will rotate three or four athletes at that position, including Nigel Peele and Cody Modlin, who earned a varsity spot as a freshman.

DEFENSE: 4-3 Last season, Southside’s defensive production varied from game to game, mainly due to its lack of size. The front seven would hold smaller opponents like Spring Creek, Northside and Jones Senior to two or less scores, but it also gave up 30-plus points to teams like South Creek, Riverside and North Duplin.

That inconsistency was addressed this offseason by defensive coordinator Andrea Quinerly — the goal being to limit first-quarter scoring. It begins with the defensive line, where Morning, Moore, Tatum and Kevonte Little will set up shop.

Of the four, Little, a junior, comes in at just 185 pounds. However, the coaching staff believes his strength should compensate for his size. Carrow is also transitioning Lewis to defensive end, despite having been third on the team in total

tackles from the linebacker position.

Defensive captain Hunter Sparks will set the Seahawks’ defense in 2015 as the “Mike” linebacker. Sparks was second on the team in total tackles (by one tackle) with 53 last season, while also coming through with a sack, three pass breakups and 10 tackles for losses. Joining Sparks will be Peele and Brandon Sullivan, who bring a significant amount of athleticism to the middle of the field.

At corner, Joe Myers had a very productive season defending against vertical routes. He’ll be paired Brown, who will make the transition from linebacker to corner. Look for Amari Peele to potentially fill in at free safety.

Carrow is leaning on his defense in hopes of giving the offense a little bit of a cushion early in the season.

SPECIAL TEAMS Despite not having much of a kicking game in 2014, Southside excelled in twopoint conversations. It’s a formula Carrow will repeat in 2015, although he’s hoping to develop someone capable of kicking extra points as the season progresses.

Lewis, who is already expected to be a playmaker on both sides of the ball, will likely be the Seahawks’ go-to option

at punter, while Amari Peele will fill in when needed.

Amari Peele, being one of the fastest players on a roster, should also get the call on kick and punt returns, alongside Crawford, a returner with the ability to burn opponents in the open field. Crawford racked up a team-high 374 kick return yards last season.

9C • Friday, August 21, 2015

2015 Gridiron Guide www.TheWashingtonDailyNews.com

IMPACT PLAYER LAWRENCE BROWN Running on the wing

Cast in the shadows of many of the county’s elite, Lawrence Brown did his job. Working alongside three other running backs — Donshae Miller, Matt Baxter and Dylan Lewis — Brown piloted the wing-T offense to perfection, throwing off opposing defensive lines, gaining yardage in chunks and, as the offense is meant to accomplish, mixing it up.

All four of the running styles differed, but it was Brown’s that was a step above, as the 5’-8”, 185-pound running back carried the ball 177 times for 1,271 yards, leading the team as a junior. In 2015, the sky is the limit for the Seahawks’ go-to ground threat.

‘The coaches have been preaching to us rising seniors about how we’re going to have to step up and lead, so it kind of guides us to that point of being that centerfold for the team,” Brown said.

“In order for us to succeed, we have to come to practice, push each other, push everyone, not feel sorry for ourselves and make sure everyone finishes their drills. Being forced into that leadership role, we know we can’t go over there to the bag drills and be half on it. It makes us push a little bit harder, so when game time comes we can play all four quarters.”

Working in the system, Brown’s numbers fell short of the production of two backs in the north side of the county — the Panthers’ Rockne Butler and the Pam Pack’s Markel Spencer — but that hardly means the athleticism wasn’t there. This month, Brown was select-

ed to the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl based on his standout performance at two regional scouting combines. There, Brown posted astronomical numbers, including a 9-foot, 9-inch broad jump and a 4.47 40-yard dash.

“Lawrence is one of those kids who has worked hard since freshman year,” said head coach Jeff Carrow. “He’s doing the little things. I remember him as a sophomore, staying after practice to do a little extra running. He’s really embracing the team aspect this year and stepping up into that leadership role.”

This season, the spotlight is all Brown’s. Alongside Baxter and Lewis, who returns from injury, the Southside offense is projected to be one of the more formidable in Coastal Plains Conference and possibly the 1-A eastern region.

As a junior, Brown led mostly by example. Now, he’s tasked with being one of the team’s vocal leaders. Brown, like the coaching staff, has high expectations for his team this season.

“It makes me feel great being able to be a part of this team,” he said. “Coming in as a freshman, we saw the varsity team and said that’ll be us in a few years.

Being ranked in the Top 25 (Southside is ranked No. 19), it makes us as players feel grateful. Me, personally, and the rest of the team, we’re expecting at least the fourth, fifth round of the playoffs. We have the potential, and the potential is there. As long as we work hard for it, we all truly believe we can make a run at it.”

SOUTHSIDE SEAHAWKS

LAWRENCE BROWN RUNNING BACK

3 THINGS TO WATCH FOR 1. The development of Southside’s offensive line is vital to the execution of the wing-T offense. With the graduation of a couple key pieces on the line, Carrow is looking to Donshae Tatum and his supporting cast to step up and create space for a versatile stable of running backs.

2. Lawrence Brown is arguably the most dynamic running back in the county this season and will be the centerpiece in what was a productive offense. Brown’s yardage total was limited due to three other running backs receiving 100-plus carries last year, but he should put up some big numbers in 2015.

3. The Seahawks are bound to be playoff eligible this season. Neighboring Plymouth has been a roadblock for county teams for nearly a decade, including for Southside last season (a 43-6 blowout). A rematch could be on the horizon come November.

2014 RESULTS (10-4, 4-1 COASTAL PLAINS) L at North Duplin 43-22 W Rosewood 24-21 W Northside 40-8 L at Riverside 34-22 W Spring Creek 48-12 W at South Creek 56-34 W at Northside 37-6 W Jones Senior 36-6 W East Carteret 47-24 W at Lejeune 55-8 L at Pamlico County 34-16 PLAYOFFS W Creswell 47-12 W North Edgecombe 56-40 L at Plymouth 43-6

2015 SCHEDULE Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

North Duplin at Dixon at Northside Riverside at Spring Creek OPEN South Creek Northside at Jones Senior at East Carteret Lejeune Pamlico County

COACH’S CORNER “Last year, coaches knew what we had potential-wise, it was just the kids learning how to win. We were able to learn a little bit last year. This year, the guys have to adjust and learn that they’re not so much under the radar as they were last year. People will be gunning for us, but we need to step up.”

- JEFF CARROW

2015 SEAHAWKS ROSTER No. Name Pos. Year Ht. Wt. 1 Johnny Sullivan QB, DB Sr. 6-0 170 2 Zikajah Crawford DB, RB, KR Jr. 5-11 141 3 Nigel Peele SE, OLB Sr. 5-10 155 4 Demetrius Ebron RB, DB Jr. 5-10 155 5 Amari Peele RB, S Jr. 5-11 155 7 Joe Myers C, RB Jr. 5-10 175 8 Ronald Dennis OLB, RB Jr. 11 Jamone Edwards QB, DB, ATH Jr. 6-1 155 12 Marshall Medlock DB, QB Jr. 6-0 180 13 Raquelle Johnson LB, FB Sr. 5-5 145 20 Jamison Bennett DB, RB Jr. 5-9 155 21 Brandon Sullivan DB, LB, RB So. 5-8 173 22 Matt Baxter RB, DB Sr. 5-11 164 25 Kyle Hill RB, DB So. 5-7 154 31 Cody Modlin DB, WR So. 5-7 130 32 Lawrence Brown RB, LB Sr. 5-8 185 33 Dylan Lewis RB, LB Sr. 6-2 190 34 Matt Ham LB, SE Sr. 5-5 145 43 Jeremy Massey TE, DE Sr. 5-11 185 44 Kevonte Little FB, DL Jr. 5-8 185 50 Walker Main DL, OL Sr. 6-1 185 52 Hunter Sparks OL, LB Jr. 6-0 190 54 Mike Galland OL, DL Sr. 5-9 182 55 Josh Crance T, DT Sr. 6-2 240 56 Aidan Kelley DL, OL So. 6-0 185 58 Dalton Oneal OL, DL Sr. 5-10 175 60 Noah Trogdon DL, OL Sr. 5-10 165 61 Scott Ringlein LB, OL So. 6-0 185 62 Nicholas Baugham OL, DL Sr. 5-9 240 63 Rae’kwon Morning DE, OL Sr. 5-10 200 64 Teddy Minor DL, OL Jr. 5-10 185 66 Loyed Moore G, DT Sr. 5-7 263 75 Jarrett O’Neal OL, DT Jr. 5-8 185 78 Joe Edwards DL, OL Jr. 5-10 185 79 Donshae Tatum DL, OL Sr. 6-2 282 81 Trajan Rhome DL, OL, TE Jr. 6-1 175 82 Damion Bond TE, DE Sr. 6-0 180 83 Shamari Walters DB, SE Jr. 6-0 160

10C • Friday, August 21, 2015

2015 Gridiron Guide www.TheWashingtonDailyNews.com

EAST CAROLINA PIRATES Content in this section was provided by Daily News contributer Corey Keenan

For most college football programs, the prospect of replacing two 1,000-yard receivers is nearly unfathomable, but that is just what the 2015 East Carolina football team will have to do.

Top that off with replacing the program’s most prolific passer and a record-setting offensive coordinator and many teams would see a season destined for failure, but the Pirates still seem like a team that is still on track to be bowl eligible. But how? Depth at skill positions on the offensive end and experience and leadership on the defensive side.

The void left by Justin Hardy and

Cam Worthy at receiver will be noticeable, but the experience of Isaiah Jones, Davon Grayson and Bryce Williams will help ease the transition. Jimmy Williams, Terrell Green and Trevon Brown will also help spread the production out at receiver while all competing for starting positions.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Pirates return five starters and reload at

the linebacker position with the reigning American Athletic Conference tackle leader Zeek Bigger on the inside and the team’s No. 3 leading tackler, Montese Overton. The Pirates’ secondary will be led by seniors and returning starters Josh Hawkins and Domonique Lennon, while the return of Terrell Stanley from a 2014 season lost to injury will provide more help on the defensive line.

BEFORE THE SNAP COLORS: Purple, Gold STADIUM: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (50,000 seats) CONFERENCE: American Athletic Conference

BY THE NUMBERS

7,329

HEAD COACH: Ruffin McNeill (37-27 overall, 36-27 at ECU) OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Dave Nichol (QB) DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Rick Smith (Secondary) STAFF: Brad Davis (Offensive Line), Kirk Doll (Special Teams, Running Backs), Donnie Kirkpatrick (Inside Receivers), Duane Price (Outside Linebackers), Garrett Riley (Outside Receivers), John Wiley (Inside Linebackers), Marc Yellock (Defensive Line)

The total offensive yards needed to replace the output of Shane Carden, Justin Hardy and Cam Worthy.

LAST CONFERENCE TITLE: 2009 RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense, 5 defense PLAYERS TO WATCH: WR Isaiah Jones, OLB Montese Overton, ILB Zeek Bigger, TE Bryce Williams, SS Terrell Richardson, RB Chris Hariston

OFFENSE: AIR RAID While the faces at the forefront of the Pirate offense are changed, it will be business as usual according to first-year offensive coordinator Dave Nichol, who previously served as ECU’s outside receivers coach from 2012-2014.

After the departure of ECU’s top statistical quarterback, Shane Carden, a position battle has begun between three gunslingers.

Redshirt sophomore Kurt Benkert is the favorite to win the starting position, though juniors Blake Kemp and Cody Keith are both in the hunt for the starting job. The three are currently splitting reps, though Benkert is the only one of the three that threw a pass during the 2014 season.

Beyond the depth at receiver, perhaps the most encouraging part of the Pirates’ 2015 team is the return of four of five starters on the offensive line. Tackles Devonte Levingston and Ike Harris are expected to start on the right and blindside, respectively.

Junior college transfer Quincy McKinney returns to start at the left guard, while last year’s right guard, J.T. Boyd, is expected to shift over and start the season at center. The other guard is likely left open for senior Tre Robertson, who started two games at guard and three at tackle in 2014.

The depth at receiver and running back makes for the potential of another high-scoring season for the Purple and Gold. Jones, Bryce Williams and Grayson will lead the receiving corps, while Green, Brown and Jimmy Williams will all add to options on

the outside. True freshman Deondre Farrier is also competing for starting time and has impressed early in training camp. Farrier was formerly a Florida commit before his scholarship offer was dropped by the program after the Gators deemed they had better options at his position.

Jones was the team’s No. 2 receiver last year behind Hardy, while Grayson and Jimmy Williams each had productive sophomore campaigns. Bryce Williams was an important red-zone target last season for the Pirates, reeling in 18 passes and four touchdowns. Brown suffered an injury late in his freshman season and made eight appearances with 14 catches and four touchdowns.

Green made just one reception during his freshman campaign, but is expected to take a big step forward this season with his big 6-foot-4, 209-pound frame.

At running back, the Pirates move on without last season’s rushing leader Breon Allen but reload at the position with seniors Chris Hairston and Cory Hunter. As the No. 2 back, Hairston rushed for 528 yards and two touchdowns. Hunter scored a touchdown on just seven attempts last season. Anthony Scott and Marquez Grayson will also compete for playing time as the Pirates will likely platoon at running back, much like previous years. Scott scored three touchdowns with 268 yards, while Grayson reached the end zone five times with 289 yards, good for third on the team.

DEFENSE: 3-4 The Pirates return five starters off the 2014 defense and have a wealth of experience on that side of the football.

The defensive line is led by Jonathan White, who started most of the 2014 season at defensive end. The senior made 31 tackles in 12 games last season and is the lone returning starter on the front line. Terrell Stanley is making his return this season after missing all of the 2014 season due to injuries sustained in a car accident. The senior enters the season expected to start opposite White at defensive end. Stanley was a starter on the 2013 team.

Demetri McGill, a junior, is expected to start the 2015 season at defensive tackle. The 6-foot1, 314-pound lineman made 10 appearances and assisted on seven tackles during the 2014 season. McGill has impressed coaches early in camp and will compete with sophomore Demage Bailey for playing time at tackle.

Bigger and Overton will be the top linebackers on Rick Smith’s strong side of the

defense. The weak side will be covered by a pair of sophomores in walk-on Joe Allely and Jordan Williams. Allely made a surge in the second half of the season and earned more playing time before finishing the season with 21 tackles.

Hawkins will start the season at field corner with senior Rocco Scarfone expected to start at the boundary corner. Scarfone appeared in 13 games and made 11 tackles last season, while playing behind Detric Allen. The safety positions will be held by senior Domonique Lennon and Terrell Richardson. Lennon was a starter last season, while Smith has said that Richardson, a junior, has been one of the most impressive players so far in camp. Lennon was the team’s fourth leading tackler on the Pirates last season with 65 tackles.

Like many recent years, the secondary is one of the biggest weaknesses on the team.

With a schedule that has Gunner Kiel (Cincinnati) and Taysom Hill (BYU), the matchups could be troublesome for the Pirates.

SPECIAL TEAMS ECU graduated senior Warren Harvey left the program as the highest scorer in its history and though he was often a point of question by Pirate fans in the past, the future at the position may be a little bleaker.

Juniors Davis Plowman and Connor Torruella will compete for the starting job.

Plowman attempted a field goal last season from about 40 yards out and missed the lone attempt. Plowman also took three kickoffs last season, but there will be a major burden on the Pirate offense to move the ball closer to the goal line for field goal opportunities.

Worth Gregory, an Alabama transfer, is entering his junior season and second with the Pirates. Gregory is a big asset for the

Pirates when drives stall out. Gregory averaged 43.6 yards per punt last season and is important to flipping the field and starting opposing offenses in poor field position. In 49 punts last season, Gregory pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line on 19 punts.

The punt return position will be left up to either Quay Johnson or Trevon Brown.

Brown is the only one of the two with experience returning punts, as he took two returns last year for a total of 17 yards. At kick return, Isaiah Jones and Brown are expected to handle the duties, as they did last season.

The two combined for 735 yards on 35 returns last season. Jones and Brown are two of the quickest players on the team and will be dangerous for the Pirates in the return game.

11C • Friday, August 21, 2015

2015 Gridiron Guide www.TheWashingtonDailyNews.com

IMPACT PLAYER JIMMY WILLIAMS A new role

Jimmy Williams has taken the road less traveled to an outside receiver position battle at East Carolina this summer.

Williams was a standout quarterback at Washington from 2010-2013, but could not find many Division I opportunities for himself out of high school. As a self-described “homebody,” the 5-foot-11 junior decided to stay close to home after his senior year with the Pam Pack and joined ECU as a walk-on.

He decided to use his speed and athleticism and make the transition to outside receiver. Williams struggled through injury his first two seasons in the program and spoke of the frustration that comes with watching from the sidelines, a role he’s been forced into for parts of the last two seasons.

“The most frustrating thing is that sometimes injuries happen and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Williams said. “But I think I did the best thing I can do, which is just building my body up, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Williams said he spent a lot of time in the weight room over the summer

preparing himself for what he hopes to be a full season on the field.

Sixth-year head coach Ruffin McNeill said Williams’ climb from a walk-on to competing for a starting job is simply a testament to the junior’s work ethic.

“Jimmy has worked hard from day one and he has earned everything that he has gotten here,” said McNeill.

“He’s very quiet and he goes about his business and he’s the type of person, character and football player that we want in our program. He’s the kind of guy that will always bring a positive effect, every day.”

The Pirates will have a new offensive coordinator after the departure of Lincoln Riley to Oklahoma. Dave Nichol has transitioned from the outside receivers coach to the coordinator, giving Williams a higher comfort level with the first-year coach.

“Everything is pretty much the same in terms of what we run and what we do,” said Williams. “He was my receivers coach the last couple years so I feel really good with him and it really feels like everything is pretty much the same.”

IMPACT PLAYER ISAIAH JONES Replacing a legend

2015 SCHEDULE Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10

Towson at Florida at Navy Virginia Tech at Southern Methodist at Brigham Young

Oct. 17 Oct. 22 Oct. 30 Nov. 7 Nov. 19 Nov. 28

Tulsa Temple at Connecticut South Florida at Central Florida Cincinnati

Pride in the Past ...

Looking to the Future.

Gil Davis for

City Council Paid for by Davis for Council

After two seasons standing in the shadow of the most decorated pass catcher in FBS history, junior Isaiah Jones will have his first chance to be the premier inside receiver in the Pirates’ pass-oriented offense this season.

The Pirates lost Justin Hardy, the FBS all-time receptions leader, and Cam Worthy, another 1,000-yard receiver for the Pirates last season, to graduation. The first man in line to fill the voids is Jones.

The 6-foot-1 Austin, Texas, native said he doesn’t feel much pressure entering his first season as the team’s No.1 pass target.

“I think (being the biggest target) is just motivation,” Jones said during the team’s media day. “A lot of people are talking about who we lost, but we still have a lot of great guys here and I’ll be really interested to see how well we all do.”

In terms of individual success, the junior was named to a pair of watch lists before the start of the season. Jones was added to the Hornung Award Watch List, given annually to the top all-purpose player in college football. Jones was also named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List as the top receiver in college football.

Jones said that award watch lists or personal accolades are not something that he has thought about much during his football career.

“I don’t stress (watch lists) too much. I didn’t have a lot of awards or watch lists or anything like that in high school,” Jones said. “I was always really overlooked. So all the things that people label you before the season really don’t mean anything to

me because I’ve always been a person who is just going to go out there and work.”

ECU enters the season with a new quarterback for the first time since 2012 when Shane Carden took the reins from Rio Johnson early in the season. This year, the starting role is likely to transition to sophomore Kurt Benkert or junior Cody Keith. Jones said the comfortability with a new quarterback comes with time.

“It’s a process. It’s only day three, day four of camp. We haven’t had too much time but we’re getting it down. It’s going to take a while and I’d be lying to you if I said we’re ready right now,” Jones said.

“It’s something that we’re working on, just getting our timing down and getting that rhythm. Whoever they pick in the end (to start at quarterback), I’ll be behind him 100 percent and I’ll be ready to go.”

Jones did not seem surprised by the team’s low selection in the American Athletic Conference East Division, where they are expected to finish fourth, but he said the team will use the low expectations by outsiders as motivation.

“A lot of people didn’t pick us very high in the division and stuff like that,” Jones said. “But we just expect to play hard and to win. That’s our attitude — people are going to say what they want, but we’ve got a group of guys that are focused on this team and that have worked their tails off to get here. So we’re ready to go.”

Jones is the son of former Pirate linebacker and first-round draft pick Robert Jones. Robert Jones was a two-time First Team All-South Independent in 1990 and 1991 and was an All-American selection in both of those seasons as well.

12C • Friday, August 21, 2015

2015 Gridiron Guide www.TheWashingtonDailyNews.com

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