Red Raiders look to improve on offense

Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 3:19 pm

Football rules in the fall. But it’s the work put in during the

summer that sets teams apart in September and October.

Hard at work throughout the summer in seven-on-seven camps and in the weight room,CoffeeCountyCentralHigh School’s football team is building on what it can from last year’s mediocre 3-8 finish. The biggest building block – a good offense.

CoffeeCounty’s offense averaged 24 points per game in 2011 and key starters are returning – especially in the skill positions.

“I think our offense has come a long way,” stated second-year CHS head coach Lee Davis. “The starters have a year under their belts and they realize what the coaching staff expects. They are certainly more comfortable.”

Although the majority of the summer is spend in shorts and helmets and focusing on passing the football,CoffeeCountywill still be a run-first team. Upcoming junior tailback Deangelo Rozier is the main reason for that after rushing for 1,328 yards as a sophomore.

“I am ready to put on pads and start running the football,” stated Rozier. “I believe that we are going to be more multi-dimensional than people realize.”

To be multi-dimensional,CoffeeCountywill need junior signal-caller Peyton Meeker to continue to build on his strong finish to 2011. Meeker was thrust into the starting role as a sophomore in the season opener against Shelbyville after an injury to Jesse Brown and went on to post solid numbers, getting stronger throughout the year. Meeker finished with a solid 15 for 25 performance for 227 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against state powerhouse Riverdale inCoffeeCounty’s 63-21 loss in the first round of the TSSAA football playoffs.

“This is definitely going to be a better year for the offense,” stated Meeker. I feel like we are all in sync and ready to get practice underway.”

Jimmy Hollandsworth will provide backup for Meeker.

“Jimmy is going to be a good quarterback in time,” mentionedDavis. “He has a great frame. He just needs more experience.”

Meeker will have his choice of targets this year with senior wide receivers Jeffrey Simmons, Logan Baumstein and Brown.

“I believe that we have one of the deepest receiving corps in my four years at CHS,” stated Baumstein. “We are looking to make an impact this season and show people we are more than just a running football team.”

Brown is back for his senior year after suffering a season-ending injury on just the second play of last season.

“I have been waiting about a year to get back on the football field. I am ready to make a difference for the offense,” stated Brown.

Davissaid that Brown would also see snaps at the quarterback position throughout the season in various packages.

Meeker added that there was a true camaraderie between himself and the receivers.

“We have been hanging out with each other both on and off the field, so we have developed a trust in one another.”

CHS will look to fill the fullback position with Zach Watson, David Haga and Justin Flowers.

“Our fullbacks are deep this year. We are excited to see these players block, as well as make a difference out of the backfield. All of our fullbacks have great hands,” saidDavis.

Grayson Miller, Justin Smith, and Ben Hosea will mix in at tight end. Miller has more experience than Smith and Hosea.

“Our tight ends have worked really had in the weight room over the summer. They are stronger, and have developed good hands, which will give us a different look on the offensive side of the ball,” explainedDavis.

For more information check out this week’s print edition of the Manchester Times.

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