FOOTBALL TAB -- Rosewood: Offense will be main weapon

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 20, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Coaches say defense is the cornerstone to success and could possibly lead to a championship.

In Rosewood's case, its offense just might be its best defense during the first half of the season.

The Eagles lost nine starters on defense to graduation. State hurdles champion Marquail Al-montaser and state wrestling champion Kaleb Taylor return for their respective senior campaigns. They're joined by two part-time starters -- corner Kenny Chandler and Dylan Melgar.

The other seven?

Head coach Robert Britt ... well ... just isn't sure.

"The biggest thing is making sure our guys know where to line up and what coverage we're in based on the formation ... making sure everybody knows their responsibility they have," Britt said. "We've got kids who will hit you and get to the ball, but right now they're playing a little slower because they've got to diagnose the play and then get to the right area.

"We're just trying to show them as many looks as we can, get them to be able to see it and recognize it quicker, and eventually play quicker."

Eric Simmons and sophomore safety Tucker Chapin have shown some promise in the preseason. But question marks remain about the line and the linebackers. Britt said the linemen need to fight the pressure like crazy to stay on the line of scrimmage instead of searching for the ball, secure the gaps and let the linebackers make plays.

If opposing running backs break the second level of defense, Chapin and Chandler have enough quickness to make an open-field tackle.

"As the safety, it's really Tucker's responsibility to make sure that everybody is on the same page coverage-wise," Britt said. "He's a bigger kid than we've had there (before). He's shown us that he can do it. Kenny and Dylan, they've pretty much picked up from last year.

"How our linebackers play is going to be big for us."

A young defense adjusting to a learning curve mixed with a skilled offense is a catch-22 for the Eagles.

Rosewood, like last season, has the capability of breaking away for a big play -- even a touchdown. However, Britt quickly added his team must sustain drives and move the sticks to avoid 3-and-out series.

The offensive line is young, too.

Just Taylor (inside guard) and Adam Henn return. Five players -- Gabe Boyette, Montre Woodard, Larry Nance, Luke Teague and Bryton Lambeth -- are competing for the three remaining spots.

"Adam and Kaleb are the mature ones, the leaders of the group," Britt said. "They've already shown what they can do and have proven themselves. We've actually said we might have to try to outscore people (because) the offense is what it is and really doesn't help a young defense."

Britt considers his three main offensive returners -- Al-montaser, quarterback Cam Helt and running back Mike Woodard, a "blessing to have back." They all understand about timing and none have lost, but rather gained a step since last fall.

Woodard added 15 pounds to his 5-foot-9 frame during track season. The senior rambled for 1,600-plus yards and 21 touchdowns on an area-leading 267 carries a game in 2014.

Helt completed 50 percent of his passes for 1,370 yards and 16 TDs. Al-montaser collected 499 yards and eight touchdowns on 36 catches. Newcomers Zack Barnes and Ethan Chapin, who both played soccer last season, are in the receiving corps along with Chandler.

"Everybody has worked hard," Britt said. "We've got four or five guys who can catch the ball, a couple who can get downfield and extend the defense. With Marquail's versatility, he's definitely a playmaker and we can't to get the ball in his hands just by throwing it to him.

"We might have some busted coverages. Just like always, we'll get through it and we'll get better. Hopefully by the time conference season comes, they won't have any excuses anymore."

Rosewood won seven games in a season for the first time since 2003 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs a year ago. The Eagles placed third in the Carolina 1-A Conference, the program's best finish during Britt's nine-year tenure on the sidelines.

The Eagles open the season Friday at county foe Charles B. Aycock.

"We have to make sure we're following the process, following what we do every day and hopefully, if we do that, it will lead to a better standing in the conference this fall," said Britt, who has 15 seniors on his roster.

"We're in the prime-time part of the season. It's the older guys' role to lead and it's the younger guys' role to follow."