Short-handed Saints, says Lee, have been 'troopers' all season

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 7, 2014 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

DUDLEY -- The positivity flows through David Lee like a bolt of lightning.

He harnesses the energy, speaks from the heart and doesn't necessarily deliver a Vince Lombardi-like speech that puts a fire in your belly.

But Lee does one thing consistently.

The Southern Wayne head football coach heaps praise on a team that's dwindled in numbers since the first official preseason practice in August. The Saints don't have enough players to run a first-team offense against a first-team defense, but they still don their hard hats and work until the final whistle blows to signal the end of practice.

"We had 17 or 18 dressed out for practice yesterday," Lee said. "I told them to look around and remember how many people were here at the beginning and how many are here now, not counting those injured. You guys are not quitters.

"You guys are troopers and I'm as proud of you as I can be."

The Saints conclude regular-season play tonight at county juggernaut Eastern Wayne. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Little Big Horn.

Lee heads into the game shorthanded.

Quentin Moore is out with a shoulder injury.

Nick Kennion rested against J.H. Rose due to back trouble. His status is doubtful. Dallas Graham, a senior utility player, re-aggravated an ankle injury. Like Kennion, he may or may not suit up against the Warriors.

In all, Lee has lost 12 players to season-ending injuries.

"I don't know if that makes a difference is us winning or losing games, but it definitely makes us more competitive," said Lee, who has moved Jacob Hollingsworth from defensive back to middle linebacker after the senior recovered from an early-season injury.

Eastern Wayne's strength is its athleticism and ability to get its athletes into open spaces. Once the Warriors (7-2 overall) step into those open spaces, they usually break a big play that leads to either a long gain or touchdown.

Within a 3 1/2 minute span last week, EW turned a 14-7 deficit into a 35-14 lead.

The Warriors' Achilles' heel has been their lack of discipline for four quarters, crucial penalties that limit the play calling and inconsistency across the offensive and defensive lines. In each of its last four outings, the Eastern Wayne defense has surrendered a touchdown on the opening drive of the game.

Lee has seen it on film. He understands all too well how one bad play can break an opponent's will, and turn a close game into a lopsided outcome.

"Our kids are making plays, but not early enough of them to compete on a high level," Lee said. "They've got some talent, ain't no doubt about it. Eastern Wayne is clearly one of the better 3-A schools in the state and we've got our work cut out for us this week."

The Warriors have won three straight over the Saints and lead the all-time series 27-23.

"Our kids know they can't make the playoffs. This week, we've got one thing in mind and that's upsetting Eastern Wayne," Lee said. "I told them to go out, you have anything to lose, play your best game, don't be intimidated and don't quit."

Lombardi couldn't have said it better.