FOOTBALL TAB: Young, sizable linemen could carry Rosewood

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on August 19, 2016 1:48 PM

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bcoley@newsargus.com

Before the 2014 season, the Rosewood football program had not won seven games in more than a decade.

Two years ago, the Eagles tallied seven victories. They followed that with another seven-win performance in 2015.

Rosewood head coach Robert Britt said the recent success resulted from a strong group of players and a switch from the Wing-T formation to a spread and read-option scheme.

"The biggest thing is that we had a group of athletes that could play," Britt said. "And the past two years, (the spread offense) has done good for us. That's the name of the game -- you gotta outscore the guy you're playing."

Last season, the Eagles were arguably the best offensive team in the county. The team averaged 37 points per game and scored at least 40 points six times. It's the best offensive output during Britt's tenure, and the most since 2003.

However, Britt isn't concerned with continuing the fireworks. He is willing to win a game any way possible.

"What I expect is to be one point better than the other team.," Britt said. "Whatever that needs to be come that Friday night. If we can win and only score 21 points, I'm going to be tickled to death. If we have to score 47 points, it's going to be whatever we need to do to be one point better."

Two of the players primarily responsible for the explosive offense, running back Mike Woodard and wide receiver Marquail "Red" Al-montaser, signed to play football at St. Andrews University.

But the offense does have five returning starters, including senior quarterback Cam Helt, who will be under center for the third consecutive season. Last season, the dual-threat quarterback threw 11 touchdown passes and rushed for 13 more.

"He's going to be our leader," Britt said. "He's a kid who's had over 2,000 yards of offense two years in a row and so we're expecting that type of production this year. And he's earned the leadership role. The kids see him as a leader."

Britt expects seniors Tron Blue and Mondi McCullen, and sophomore Michael Reid to compete for time at running back. Blue has the most experience among the group -- he rushed for over 250 yards and scored five touchdowns in 2015.

At the wide receiver position, the veteran Eagles' coach has seen more depth than he did last year. Seniors Alex Godwin and Jaikel Coley, junior Tucker Chapin and freshman Jack White will all look to earn time catching the ball this season.

Even with the wealth of potential talent at the skilled positions, Britt believes the team's strongest position groups are the offensive and defensive lines.

"Our size has got to be one of (our strengths)," Britt said. "We're going to be big up front on the offensive and defensive line. They're going to be young. A few of them haven't played a whole lot on the varsity level, and there's still a learning curve. But you can't coach size."

One of the main objectives for Britt this season is to parlay the program's recent stretch of success into a conference championship and a deep run in the playoffs.

Before that quest can begin, Britt has more immediate aspirations for his squad.

"Our biggest goal is coming in everyday and working hard," Britt said. "We tell the kids and I think the kids feel like it, they want to make sure they haven't been outworked by any team in the state and our kids don't come in August 1 and start working -- they work year around.

"It's a commitment. You have to work year round, and you have to get bigger, stronger and faster."