FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Rosewood's Britt says experience crucial for Eagles

By Aviel Smolka
Published in Sports on August 14, 2018 5:51 AM

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By AVIEL SMOLKA

asmolka@newsargus.com

Rosewood head football coach Robert Britt feels the Eagles are headed for a breakthrough season.

Various injuries to key starters a year ago allowed Britt to build some depth for 2018. He expects his team to soar this fall.

Now in his 12th season, Britt thinks his team can contend for the conference title this year. If the ball bounces the Eagles' way and they are seeded in the 1-A (small-school) playoff bracket, Britt is confident his team can enjoy a deep run into November.

But, Rosewood must stay healthy.

Last year coach Britt implemented a 3-3 stack defense that required just three down lineman and eight defenders standing up on every snap. The new defense helped the Eagles play faster and more aggressive.

Despite learning the new scheme and being a young team, the Eagles gave up 26 points per game in 2017 -- down from 43.75 in 2016. Another year in the system has allowed the Eagles to become more comfortable with it.

"This is going to be our second year in the defense. We think it allows us to get more athletes on the field," Britt said. "It's going to be less installing and more letting the kids play. This defense lends itself to being able to play a little bit more aggressive. You can put in a bunch of different blitz packages.

"Our kids had a really good offseason. We've gotten stronger and faster, so we've got a chance to be pretty good."

Football is a year-round sport.

Britt builds relationships with his players throughout the year by making them work hard in the weight room, taking them to camps and by having a dedicated staff of assistant coaches who put in as much time as he does. The kids know that to become a better football player, they have to prepare just as hard in the offseason.

"Kids want to be successful, they want to have fun," Britt said. "If you show them that you care about them, they're going to do the best they can for you."

Britt is ecstatic to have Montreal Woodard fully healed from an injury. He's expected to be the anchor of Rosewood's defense.

"He got hurt during the summer last year and missed the first half of the season because of an injury," Britt said. "He's really worked hard to get himself in good shape and put on muscle, so we're expecting big things from him on defense."

Britt expects to put an explosive offense on the field.

Senior running back Michael Reid will either start under center or in the backfield. Britt evaluated his players in practice and scrimmages, but has not named any starters heading into Friday's season and home opener against Charles B. Aycock.

All 11 players, Britt said, must do their jobs on the field if the Eagles hope to compete in non-conference and conference play. If the pieces fall into place, Rosewood could claim its first league title since 1999.

"If the kids stay true to the process, get in the weight room, stay healthy and prepare themselves to be the best football player they can be year-round, everything will fall into place and we'll have a successful season."