Little Rock McClellan Coach Maurice Moody said he expects his football team to take another step forward this season.
McClellan had won a total of seven games over six seasons before Moody took over in 2013. His first team finished 1-9, but Mc-Clellan improved to 3-7 last season, and two of its losses were the result of victories forfeited after Moody learned he had used an ineligible player.
“It hurt our boys and our coaching staff and everyone in the community,” Moody said. “It was just an oversight by me and everyone involved, so we apologized and moved forward. But five wins was a turnaround from what it’s been in the past.
“We’re working hard every day to get better. We have the kids believing. They’re putting in the work to do everything they can to make themselves better and to have a good team. We’re excited. We’re going to give it our best effort.
“We’re going to put our best foot forward and do everything we can to turn this thing around.”
Moody said his team’s most significant asset might be a deep offensive line that includes senior right guard David Moore, senior center Raymond Ivory, senior left guard Courtney Lightner, sophomore left tackle K.D. Dobbins and senior right tackle Moses Turner.
“I’ve been working on our offensive line since I got here because I know that that’s where you win ballgames,” Moody said. “That’s where you win championships. You’ve got to be good in the trenches.
“When you put those guys up front and you can control the line of scrimmage, that means you can control the clock, you’re going to keep the ball in your hands, and you can play running back by committee. That’s the brand of football I like.”
Junior Dalvion Childs, who was limited by an ankle injury last season, should start at quarterback.
“He can make all the throws and he’s a pretty good runner,” Moody said. “His arm has gotten tremendously strong. He can make all the throws down the field, the screens passes, the deep outs, the slant passes.
“His football IQ is great, and he has developed into a really good leader for us. Everyone kind of rallies around him.
“We expect some really, really good things from him.”
Junior tailback Pierre Strong and senior tailback Trent Lewis should be Mc-Clellan’s top rushing threats.
Moody said he also has high expectations for junior defensive lineman Raeshon Young.
“He should anchor our defensive line this year,” Moody said.
Moody said McClellan’s time has come.
“These guys know us and they know our system, and it’s time,” Moody said. “We don’t have any more excuses. We’ve had some time to build them up in the weight room and to implement our program and build it the way it should be.
“I really feel like we have an opportunity to do something special this year, and that’s what I’ve told my guys. I’m not guaranteeing a state championship or anything, but I really feel like we have an opportunity to make the playoffs and make a run in them.”