PREP FOOTBALL: McClary Jr. wants Saints to start off strong and fast

By Aviel Smolka
Published in Sports on July 31, 2018 5:51 AM

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By AVIEL SMOLKA

asmolka@newsargus.com

DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne is coming off an 0-11 season, but you'd never know it from talking to head coach Ronnie McClary Jr. and watching his squad go through practice Monday morning.

The Saints' camp is filled with optimism.

"We are looking to see what numbers look like," McClary Jr. said before Monday's practice. "We want to start off strong and fast. In our drills we like to incorporate a lot of movement so we can keep the kids loose."

McClary Jr. is entering his second season at Southern Wayne and has focused on building a positive environment around a program that has had its struggles.

"We are trying to change around the culture," McClary Jr. said. "The kids have to feel like they are part of a good program. Then they will come, that will help improve our numbers and change the losses over to wins."

Sophomore cornerback Tashawn Philips returns for the Saints, and McClary Jr. expects big things from him this season.

"He's a good kid," McClary Jr. said of the 5-foot-10 explosive cornerback. "He's going to be growing every game, getting better and not getting down on himself."

Another player to be on the lookout for throughout the season is Dorian Kornegay, who can play every position on the offensive line.

McClary Jr. also expects players who sat on the bench last year to make major contributions this year.

"Mistakes will be made, but we're going to improve that in the each and every day," McClary Jr. said. "My goal is to make these boys into men and make them better every day so that in the future I can be dependent on them."

McClary Jr. looks forward to the Saints' season opener against Wilmington Ashley on Aug. 17.

"I hope we play hard, fast, and strong," McClary Jr. said. "That's what I want -- play hard every single snap. If we can get there, we'll be OK. We are in a tough conference with a lot to prove. Varsity didn't win a game last year so I'm looking forward to turning things around."