FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Oates wants EW to set the pace

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 17, 2017 6:00 AM

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By JUSTIN HAYES

jhayes@newsargus.com

Clean reps, with pace.

Such was the directive implored between whistle chirps on Wednesday by Eastern Wayne varsity football coach Leander Oates, who marshaled the Warriors through their second-to-last workout ahead of Friday night's season opener at Wilson Hunt.

And did so with vigor.

At times, the action was pad-popping.

At times, it was airborne.

But at all points, without question, it was scrutinized under the fluctuating speed dial of Oates, who called for punitive measures -- pushup-blasts affectionately called twenty-pieces -- on more than one occasion.

Call it work of the constitutional variety.

"Everything is pretty much in game-mode, and that's a whole lot faster," Oates said during a break between reps. "That's one of the areas we're trying to work on -- trying to find that pace."

So, from red zone schemes to between-the-gaps rushing to form-tackling reminders, the Dubs did it all -- in double-time.

As expected, senior quarterback Zeke Best carried the first-team action, working diligently to ensure the last few details of the coaching staff's punch-list didn't get lost in the countdown-hype of the season opener.

Beyond that, Oates pressed conservation.  

"We're rolling in with 45 guys, but we need all 45," the coach said of his outfit. "The way it's pretty much set up, we're looking to get a lot of guys rest ... to where we can keep them on one side of the ball."

Which could change on Friday, of course, when the blue-and-old-gold's summer-long gaze in the mirror quickly materializes into a stare-down with a different band of Warriors.

And as evaluation periods go, there's nothing like the pop and ever-sizzling circumstance of week one.

"Hunt is going to try and run that ball on us," Oates said of their Big East 3-A opponent. "They come in with a power game -- most people think it's almost like a full-house feature ... they're going to smash you out to see if you'll give them that running room."

Which means the Dubs will have to read quickly, react quickly, contain and tackle with efficiency -- exactly like they have prepared for the last month.