FOOTBALL TAB: Sanders attempting to emulate teachings from former coach

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on August 22, 2014 1:48 PM

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aetzler@newsargus.com

Coming off one of the better seasons in Spring Creek's young football history, head coach Aaron Sanders realizes his system is working.

He just needs to keep building and perfecting it.

The Gators finished the season 3-9 in 2013 -- the team's best record since 2005. The only year the Gators have finished .500 or better was when they went 6-6 in 2004 under then-head coach Roy Whitfield.

"We're trying to stay consistent in what we teach," Sanders said. "It's important for kids to be learning the same systems year in and year out."

A Whitfield disciple, Sanders never played football in college, but has always wanted to be a coach. Whitfield helped shape his former player's future and helped him become who he is today.

Sanders is honored to succeed his former coach and hopes he can do for his players what Whitfield did for him.

"They taught me about football," Sanders said. "But what you're learning on that field is a lot more than X's and O's. There's lessons that you're going to learn about commitment, dedication and working to earn something that you don't get anywhere else in life.

"I'm trying to pass that down to my players."

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Sanders also preaches to his players about overcoming adversity -- an area the Gators have been well-versed in over the years. The biggest obstacle is the lack of an adequate weight room.

Players work out on a handful of benches two corners of the gym. It's not an ideal situation, but Sanders doesn't allow that to be a crutch for the program.

"It presents restrictions," Sanders said. "But if these guys want to come in here and work, we'll make them stronger athletes."

An avid crossfit nut, Sanders has taken the program he enjoys so much and instilled it in his kids. It's a program that focuses on Olympic-style lifts and explosive workouts, as well as flexibility. Explosiveness and flexibility are two under-utilized traits that most athletes cannot be successful without.

Jordan Hicks, who is competing with Logan Miller to be the starting quarterback, is one of the many who have developed an affinity for crossfit that he thinks will help him out this season.

"As far as getting you quicker, getting you better, crossfit helps a lot," Hicks said. "It's difficult, but I like it. I've definitely gotten better because of it."

Hicks displayed the leadership that coaches dream of when Sanders asked him to change positions for this season after the 6-foot-2 senior had played at split end/wide receiver in 2013. His size and athleticism made it easy for him to jump up for balls in the red zone.

Sanders needed a field general this fall.

Hicks eagerly stepped in and competed for the job.

The Gators' strength could be the offensive line this season. Sam Crocker and Dashawn Braswell team up with 300-pounder Anthony Henriquez to form a formidable group of trenchmen.

Braswell and Henriquez will work on the defensive line, while Crocker is expected to rack up tackles as a linebacker. Nearly every key contributor for the Gators will be asked to play both sides of the ball.

"A lot of the key guys from last year hardly ever came off the field," Sanders said. "And I'm happy they're back because they're not gonna hardly come off the field this year."

Gary Williams, a senior and one of the leaders of the team, will get a lot of carries along with Miller and Hicks in the Spring Creek flex bone offense.

The Gators lack experience and depth, but Sanders isn't worried about asking underclassmen to play.

"I'm excited about them," Sanders said. "We've got some good ball players in that group we're going to get to find out this year."