Tigers tougher after trying summer

Every high school football team has had to deal with a soaring heat index that has either limited practice time or kept the players operating outside of their pads. Fayette County’s football program has dealt with a little more. One of the many summer thunderstorms did some damage to the field, track and locker rooms and another storm limited a scrimmage with Jonesboro to three minutes before a makeup several days later.

The team has responded just fine to the adversity, according to head coach Tommy Webb, who has seen his team make a number of strides during the off-season.

The Tigers went 3-7 in 2009, winning three of their first five games and closing with five straight losses. Still, Fayette County showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in a last second win over their long time county rival, McIntosh. One of the main problems last year was the fact that the Tigers were young and inexperienced. Now, they are one year older and they have a little more experience under their belt.

When they finally got their scrimmage with Jonesboro in, Fayette County won 20-14. The Tiger defense gave up one big pass play and one big run, but held the skilled Cardinals offense in check for much of the night. Offensively, Fayette County moved the ball well, despite too many penalties, and also put it into the endzone. Junior Justin Murray, the quarterback for Fayette County, was 12 for 18 for 180 yards and two touchdowns, while Dionte Richards scored twice and Eric Lauderdale added a receiving touchdown.

“We’ve got to clean up all those penalties,” Webb said. “They’re drive killers.”

Assuming they do, the offense should be pretty good. Murray has been in the program all three years and he has some good weapons at receiver and in the backfield.

Aside from Lauderdale, arguably one of the more talented receivers in the region, the Tigers will rely on Maurice Williams and Geremy Harps, while Ian Clarke, Torrey Davis and Jonathan Shirey will play at tight end. Running the ball for Fayette County will be Jonathan Seldon, Silas Madden and Richards who Webb stated had been a pleasant surprise. They will be running behind a line that is a combination of youth and experience. Kristofer Curtis and Keith Brock will play at the tackles, while two sophomores will play at the guard position, Nick Rodikas and Willis Howard.

While there is no doubt that an offense is important - you can’t win if you can’t score - Webb stated that you have to have a defense that can hold up to compete in the region. If the Tigers can play as well as they did in their scrimmage against Jonesboro, they might do just fine against their region foes.
“I was real impressed. They ran to the ball, made some plays and had a great second half,” Webb said.

Among the players that did well on defense for Fayette County were linebackers Trey Smith and Derrick Cannon, as well as Jason Hood and Trayveon Kellogg. The secondary has also played and practiced well with Tago Smith, Trevus Ewards and Trey Washington all earning praise.

Josh Sanchez will handle kickoffs, extra points and field goals for the Tigers, while Harps, Smith and Terrence Kelley are all still battling for the punting job.

The Tigers open the season Friday at home against Woodland, Henry and then play at Union Grove (Sept. 3).

“Both teams made the playoffs last year and are very athletic,” said Webb, before discussing their final game of the season against Sandy Creek. The Patriots, of course, won the Class AAAA state championship in 2009 and are ranked number one in several Class AAA preseason polls this year.

Fayette County’s sub-region opponents will feature familiar teams like Whitewater, Starr’s Mill, Northgate and McIntosh and will also include Upson Lee and Harris County.

“Harris County has some big time players and Upson Lee is always strong,” said Webb. “It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.”

Interesting is good, for coaches, players and fans, just as long as the weather stays nice and boring.