LAMAR — Every football team would like to improve upon its performance of a year ago, and Lamar is no different.
The Warriors went 11-2-1, winning the first three playoffs games in school history - including the first ever played on their home field - and advanced all the way to the Class 3A semifinals.
Lamar gave eventual state champion Charleston its closest battle in the playoffs before seeing its season come to an end.
It's reason to be proud, but Lamar isn't satisfied. And with Matt Jones and Casey Kinsey returning this season, the Warriors may be able to meet or even exceed the standard they set in 2008.
Jones and Kinsey, both seniors, started both ways last year and will do so again this season.
"It was amazing, the time of my life," Kinsey said. "It was packed [for the home playoff game]. It was the coolest thing I've ever been to."
Kinsey, 6-2, 210 pounds, made an impact last season, playing fullback, strong safety and returning kicks. He rushed for 852 yards, made 55 tackles and 4 interceptions - 2 of which he returned for touchdowns - and averaged close to 30 yards per kickoff return.
"He is very physical - very, very physical," Coach Jay Holland said. "He likes contact. It doesn't matter if it's offense, defense or special teams. He doesn't shy away from contact."
It also doesn't matter whether it's on a football field or a basketball court. Asked what kind of basketball player he was, Kinsey smiled and said: "The type thatfouls out nearly every game."
"I like to hit the hole," Kinsey said. "If there's one person, I'll just lower my head. I love to block. I love to catch someone off the edge and blindside them."
Jones, 6-1, 200, should provide a nice complement to Kinsey with his speed at quarterback. Jones might be the fastest player on Lamar's roster - he runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds- and he put that speed to good use last season at wide receiver, where he led the Warriors with 17 receptions for 344 yards, an average of better than 20 yardsper catch.
Jones' speed also came in handy on defense, where he played free safety last season and racked up 42 tackles and two interceptions.
The switch from receiver to quarterback shouldn't be a problem for Jones. The left-hander has plenty of experience at the position, having played it all throughout his career.
"He's ready," Holland said. "He's was a quarterback in the seventh, eighth and ninth grade and was a backup the last two years.
"He's had a real good fall camp. We'll be able to throw the football this year."
Jones also believes his experience at wide receiver can only help him be a better passer.
"It's not really that much of an adjustment," Jones said. "It's just that at quarterback you have to remember running those routes last year and where to throw it. It makes it easier on your judgment."
Jones also expects to be better at safety.
"I can pick up coverages easier," said Jones, who also plays basketball and baseball. "I makebetter reads at safety."
The Warriors should have the ability to run and throw this season, but they may lean more toward the run since it will be tough for opponents to handle their offensive line, which is one of the larger ones in the 4-3A Conference.
With linemen like seniors Levi Sexton, 6-1, 291, and Joe Arreola, 6-1, 305, providing plenty of space for Kinsey and Jones, a fourth consecutive winning season could be in order, as well as a return trip to the postseason.
That would be just fine with Kinsey and Jones, who like therest of their teammates would love to have another playoff game at home.
"You had people bringing lawn chairs to sit in the back of the end zone because there was nowhere else to sit," Jones said. "It was packed, it was loud. It was so intense."
Sports, Pages 83 on 08/30/2009