FOOTBALL TAB -- Spring Creek: Sanders has positive outlook

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

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek lost 90 percent of its offense and several quality defensive players to graduation.

That's enough to cause any concern for a head coach.

Not Aaron Sanders.

He doesn't believe in the "bare cupboard" theory.

Instead, the Spring Creek alum looks at the Gators' progress over the last two seasons -- a total of five wins and possibly two more had his team not fallen victim to second-half fatigue due to having numerous two-way starters on the field.

"As a coaching staff, we like what we are seeing," said Sanders, the proud father of a 1-year-old son, Eli.

"Last year with the Hobbton game, we hit a turning point even though we lost in reverse fashion from the year before when we beat them. The effort was everything you wanted it to be. Toward the end of the season, we played some teams that were just better than we were ... had the ability to put more athletes on the field than we could.

"We just got gassed out. We're trying to find a way to fix that."

And bolster an offense that has to make up for four key losses -- athlete Tre Hammonds, quarterback Logan Miller, running back Gary Williams and lanky receiver Jordan Hicks. All ranked among the county leaders in different offensive categories last season.

Sanders is not calling the offense this season.

He's turned the reins over to Daniel Robinson, who spent two seasons with former Eastern Wayne head coach Bubba Williams. Robinson encouraged Sanders and defensive coordinator Paul Hayes to attend an EW practice to see Williams' offense in action.

The Gators plan to keep their spread option, but add a few tweaks.

"The offensive line picked up on it really quick because the blocking schemes were similar to what we were running last year," Sanders said. "The kids are enjoying it. Our backs, slots, receivers and splits are getting a little more action. It's something that the kids are really excited about."

Jessie Casper is expected to handle the quarterback duties out of the shotgun. Sanders expects Jamal Davis, who pound-for-pound is one of the stronger players on the team, to tote the rock. Neither weigh more than a buck-50, so the coaching staff had to switch its offensive scheme to help prevent Casper and Davis from taking hard shots on every down.

They'll be protected by three experienced linemen -- sophomore Josh Lebron (5-foot-8, 200 pounds), sophomore Gabriel Barfield (5-9, 190) and senior Isaiah Nixon (6-2, 275).

The offense also took a hit in 7-on-7 play during the summer. Starting H-back Collion Kittrell suffered a compound fracture of his fibia and tibia. Doctors put a rod in his leg and he walks around in a boot.

"That was a loss that hurt," Sanders said.

Spring Creek does not return a defensive linemen.

Hayes has six potential candidates and hopes to find some chemistry. Behind the group is Malik Sutton, who sat out a year, but has worked hard on the field and in the classroom to earn a uniform this season. Junior Najee Young (5-9, 150) is a projected two-way starter.

Nick Strickland (5-9, 165) has moved from linebacker to free safety. Junior Mike Bell (5-7, 130) is at corner and transfer Spencer Jameson (5-9, 165) will play outside linebacker.

"(Jamison) is a hard-nosed kid with a football mentality," Sanders said. "We've gone through and circled the names of guys who we think will get time on both sides of the ball. We're trying to make transitions to keep people fresh, too.

"This team doesn't have top-end players like last year. We've got players who are excited about their roles and what they can bring to the team. Coaching staff included, we've got guys who are willing to make sacrifices if that's what it takes to win ballgames."

Spring Creek plays six of first seven games on the road, including its season opener at South Lenoir on Friday. The Gators launch the home portion of their schedule Sept. 18 against Chocowinity Southside.

"These young guys are going to have to mature fast because we're going away a lot," Sanders said. "We're going to try to put a positive spin on that, too. I think this team has the potential to put us over the hump, being one of those teams that opposing teams have to take us seriously.

"If they fall asleep, then we can come in and beat you."