TRI-LAKES AREA — Last season, despite a 3-8 record, the Sheridan Yellowjackets advanced to the 6A playoffs and suffered a one-point loss in the first round.
This season, head coach Benji White sees no reason his team will not continue its streak of playoff .
"We're a young team with a small senior and junior class," Whitesaid. "Our strength is our work ethic and recent success." With a plethora of sophomores taking up roster spots, leadership from the upperclassmen will be key. The quarterback position is one that White is rather comfortable with, but he would like to see his team run the ball with more efficiency this year.
Senior Eric Eggburn will return under center this year to try to improve on his 1,300-yard and eight-touchdown performance from a year ago. Eggburn also rushed for 124 yards and six touchdowns.
"He's really come on this spring," White said. "He's really matured a lot." Eggburn will be pushed at the position by sophomores Jake Smith and Kurt Stinett as well as junior utility player Zach Perkins.
Until White finds a premiere back, the running game will be a group effort with Tyler Cole, Josh Miller, Cody Garrett and Tobin Pritchard.
"We want to run the football more," White said. "We want to be more balanced."There are just two returning starters in the receiving corps, but a good group of juniors and seniors should be able to rotate in and see time, White said.
Colton Gilbert, who plays tight end and outside wide receiver, along with Colton Easley,the team's deep-play threat, are the two returning starters and will be aided in the passing game by senior Landon Moore, junior Zach Perkins, junior tight end Morgan Gill and sophomores Josh Miller and Nick Ware.
There are still a few question marks on the offensive line for White, but he is putting his faith in senior guard Zach Payer, who "has really come on and gets after it." Steady-handed center Coy Appleberry will be crucial on every play as well.
Zach Kimsey will be expected to anchor the defensive line this season and will be joined on the front by Jesse Whittemore, who makes the move to defensive line this season. Nick Shepard will be seeing double duty as a lineman and offensive tackle.
The linebacking position is what White considers to be the strength of his defense. With seniors Ryan Harris and McKinley Adams returning to the lineup, along with sophomore Stephen Love, White expects his defense to be much improved from the team that allowed nearly 30 points per game last season.
Hunter Mills and Kimsey each recorded 84 tackles a season ago, with Mills adding two interceptions and Kimsey recording two fumble recoveries. If their solid play continues this season, the Yellowjackets defense could be greatly improved from a season ago.
One of the hidden talents on this Sheridan team is that of kicker Brandon Womble, who has kicked field goals up to 52 yards in spring and summer practices. During the season last year, he was able to make a 41-yard and a 43-yard field goal when the offense stalled, giving his team another scoring threat.
"We're going to be young, but physical," White said. "We're going to be bigger and faster.
We've gotten ourselves to be playoff contenders, now it's time for us to move forward."
Tri-Lakes, Pages 8 on 08/30/2009