FOOTBALL TAB: Offseason 'homework' good for the Gators

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 19, 2016 1:48 PM

• Print
• Email

rcoggins@newsargus.com

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Though its final record says otherwise, Spring Creek is coming off a somewhat historic 2015.

The Gators won consecutive season-opening games for the first time in school history. That success translated into a 2-0 start -- also a first in "The Swamp."

Injuries, turnovers and a highly-competitive conference schedule took its toll as the year progressed. But ninth-year head coach Aaron Sanders saw his band of players never quit despite the 2-10 worksheet that was eventually penned into the program's ledger.

The work for 2016 began right after a season-ending loss to eventual state 1-AA champion Wallace-Rose Hill in the playoffs. Players stuck their nose to the grindstone during weight-lifting classes and offseason workouts.

Two weeks of spring football and 7-on-7 battles during the Greater Neuse River Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp paid dividends. The group bonded from 13 days of eating, sleeping, breathing and living football.

"All of those things were huge," Sanders said. "To be able to walk out here day one (of official practice) and knowing the basics of your playbook, you're able to make adjustments to that. That gives you an opportunity as a coach to spend more time on the fundamentals of playing each position."

That alone should make the Gators better.

Here are some other variables that factor into Sanders' positive mindset -- 11 returning starters and 31 upperclassmen on a 34-player roster. Three returnees -- Dominique Morse, Jamerion Dawson and Jessie Casper -- emerged as the offensive leaders a year ago.

Morse and Dawson, a pair of tall receivers opponents found difficult to cover in the secondary, ranked among the county's top receivers a year ago. Dawson led SC with 693 yards and five touchdowns on 40 receptions, while Morse hauled in 26 passes that totaled 355 yards. Casper accounted for 1,664 yards of total offense and 13 touchdowns on 163 touches.

All three have big-play capability and Casper, said Sanders, is moving back to his natural role at running back. The speedster will continue to patrol the secondary at free safety.

Sanders, though, isn't giddy with excitement about his skill players.

There's depth on the offensive line and defensive lines, and just three positions have been set -- Gabe Barfield and Lowell Smothers at guard and center/tackle, respectively; and Josh Lebron at nose guard.

The rest?

"Our depth charts have changed considerably," Sanders smiled as he leaned back in his chair. "It's not changing because kids are playing their way out of position. It's changed because kids are playing their way into positions. We've seen a commitment from the players to get stronger and heavier on both sides.

"We're seeing them do good things in practice and we as a staff have said we need to find a way to get them onto the field."

SC's linemen range from 170 to 290 pounds with 10 weighing 220 or higher.

While there are unknowns in the trenches and the passing game has to be effective, the Gators -- if they find their footing -- could experience their best season in more than a decade.

A home playoff game is not out of the question.

"They know what they're playing for and we've made it a point to let them know what they're playing for -- both personal and team goals," Sanders said. "This group will go as far as their commitment level takes them. (They) need to realize that each day is a new day and you've got to approach each day with a new mindset.

"You have to tell yourself 'I've got to go to work today. I've got to take care of my business to make myself a better football player and our football team a better team."