From Alabama to Montana and back.
Ernie Ferguson logged quite a few miles this offseason in his
quest for the perfect offensive scheme to fit his East Lawrence High
personnel.
More than 4,000 miles later, the East Lawrence High coach believes he has a solution.
At East Lawrence, an option-style offense will remain.
But the scheme and philosophy underwent drastic overhauls.
"This is of a run-pass option with more pre-snap
reads," Ferguson said. "I went to Montana to talk to a high school coach
who runs this offense, and it's different than anything I've used
before. We're changing things up significantly to fit the players we
have and don't have."
So why the drastic change?
In high school sports, graduation affects
personnel. And East Lawrence's roster lost one of the area's dynamic,
and versatile, playmakers: Former quarterback Terrence Deloney, who last
season accounted for almost 3,000 yards and 37 touchdowns.
Ferguson said new quarterback Allen West is
capable of leading East Lawrence's offense, but has different skill sets
than Deloney.
"I started out as a wishbone coach, and then
moved to the spread option, so for me as a coach, this is really
stepping out of the box," Ferguson said. "We're still going to be a
running team, and the veer and counters are still in our package, but
overall, it's significantly different and suits the players we have
now."
Offense
West enters his debut season with huge shoes to
fill. During the last few seasons, Deloney was a fixture for East
Lawrence at quarterback, consistently making big plays as both a runner
and passer.
Since taking over as East Lawrence's starting
quarterback in the spring, West has been one of the busiest players on
the Eagles' roster. According to Ferguson, with the new offensive
system, West is being asked to do more on the field than any quarterback
he has coached.
"With all of the pre-snap reads and post-snap
reads, we're throwing a lot of responsibility at Allen," Ferguson said.
"He has handled it well, and really has made a lot of progress this
offseason."
West already has won the confidence of his teammates.
"Allen isn't as fast as Terrence, but as a
quarterback, he does some things better," running back Dakota Millwood
said. "For one, he's a better passer, so we're going to be able to
spread the ball around more. He's a perfect fit for this system."
With the season quickly approaching, West said he
is beginning to gain confidence. Having Millwood returning at running
back, along with depth at the running back positions, has helped.
"There has been a lot thrown at me, but I'm
catching on," said West, who played some quarterback in 2012 as
Deloney's backup. "Some of the reads were difficult at first, but it's
like anything else, it gets easier the more you do it."
Defense
Because so much time this offseason was devoted
to the new offensive scheme, Ferguson said since fall practice began in
August, more emphasis has been placed on improving East Lawrence's
defense.
On defense, East Lawrence returns just four starters. In 2012, the Eagles gave up 26.2 points per game.
"My coaching background has always been on
offense, but I would rather us be better on defense," Ferguson said. "I
would rather win 2-0 than 99-98 any day of the week. We're devoting a
lot of time to getting better on that side of the ball, working on
fundamentals, tackling, etc."
Ferguson said linebacker Ben Copeland and defensive back Tyler Mitchell have filled leadership roles on East Lawrence's defense.
Prognosis
With just nine returning starters — five on
offense, and four on defense — East Lawrence's offseason had a
rebuilding theme. The Eagles finished the 2012 season with a 4-6 record
and missed the Class 4A playoffs.
Ferguson said the players made progress in the
weight room, gaining size and strength, and on the practice field,
that's translating into positive signs.
"Strength wise, we had nowhere to go but up,"
Ferguson said. "And we had a very good offseason in that aspect. I can
see signs of progress, but because we don't have a lot of depth, a lot
of how successful we are is going to depend on keeping everyone healthy
and on the field. If we can stay healthy, I think we could be better."
Despite having so many new starters on the field, East Lawrence's players enter the season with optimism.
"We've definitely improved," Millwood said. "I
can see it. All of us can see it. A lot of people already are writing us
off, and that's fine, because we all feel like we're going to surprise a
lot of people this year."
East Lawrence at a glance
Coach: Ernie Ferguson; third season
2012 results: 4-6; 2-5 in Class 4A, Region 8.
Jamboree: Elkmont
Region 8 Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Lawrence County
Returning starters: Four on offense; four on defense.
Big games: Aug. 30 vs. Lawrence County; Sept. 20 vs. West Limestone; Oct. 4 vs. Priceville.
Source: Decatur Daily
This year's high school cheerleading
squad is a combined Varsity/JV. These ladies have put in a lot of time
and work over the summer to get ready for football season.
Varsity: Jensen Pugh, Tori Williams, Rachel Adams, Montana Ray, Callie Wales, Maddie Hobbs, Adriel McMahan, and Jayne Anderson.
JV: Chloe Murphy, Leah Seibert, Olivia Spencer, Madison Scroggins, and Hope Hice
Great Article in the Athens News Courier about Rhett Bailey, Wednesday - August 21. You can get a copy at the News Courier Office in Athens until next Tuesday or it sells out.
The song “Lean on Me” best describes what Rhett Bailey and Elkmont are doing this year. The senior missed most of his high school football career with the Red Devils due to do a prolonged battled with cancer.
Bailey beat the odds last season and returned to the playing field. The senior is back for what he hopes to be his first full season as an Elkmont football player. His presence provides an obvious motivational boost, but he is also one of the best athletes on the team.
“For us, it’s important because he is such a good athlete,” said head coach Sean Holt. “He can tell the other guys to suck it up sometimes and they listen because of what he’s been through.”
After making the playoffs four out of the last five years, Elkmont struggled in Holt’s second season. The Red Devils went 2-10, suffering the program’s worst record since 2004 (1-9).
It was a marked change from the success Elkmont enjoyed in Holt’s first season at the helm. In 2011, the Red Devils enjoyed one of the best seasons in school history.
With one of the program’s largest and most talented senior classes, Elmont advanced to the second round of the playoffs, losing to eventual 3A runner- up Madison Academy.
Most of that team graduated, leaving Elmont with only a handful of returning starters to compete in an improved region.
The team predictably struggled with a schedule that included the 3A state champs, an improved Colbert County squad, perennial power Deshler and 4A semifinalist Lauderdale County.
Unfortunately for the Red Devils, those teams are on the schedule this year. The good news is most of Elkmont’s players have seen it all before, losing just five seniors off last year’s team.
Bailey and four other seniors — Nick Moore, Derek Lovell, Kris Gooch and Cody Thomas — will be the heart of the team. If Elkmont is to have success running the ball, they will have to find wide receiver Bailey and tight end Gooch enough to keep teams honest.
Defensively, the Red Devils’ strongest unit is the linebacking core where Gooch and Jared Bailey lead the most experienced position on defense.
Elkmont will travel to East Lawrence for a jamboree at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23. The Red Devils open their season against Ardmore on their home field the following Friday at 7 p. m.
ALRIGHTY FRIENDS & FAMILY SUPPORT YOUR ELKMONT MICRO MINI FOOTBALL PLAYERS THIS YEAR.
Elkmont, Alabama, or Auburn keychains (while they last), and custom Red Devil decals...$5.00 each. Message or post on Jason Shawley's facebook page to order or more information.
ELKMONT FOOTBALL SEASON HAS STARTED
The Steak and Weenie Intersquad
Game/Quarterback Club Supper officially started the 2013 Elkmont Red
Devils Football season. In an annual tradition, the Quarterback Club
invites the community to a free hamburger supper to meet the varsity, JV football players and cheerleaders before game This year the youth football teams were included in the festivities and were introduced at half time.
The Quarterback Club wrapped 400 hamburgers and poured drinks for the Elkmont faithful that
came out to enjoy seeing the red and
white teams square off against each other. Senior Rhett Bailey took the
reins of the white team as quarterback. Jordan Nelson captained the
Red. After a spirited game, the white team won 14 - 7 and were rewarded
with the steak dinner.
The Red Devils have another week to
practice before playing in the Jamboree, August 23 at East Lawrence High
School @ 7 pm. The next week brings our big rival game vs
Ardmore Tigers, August 30. Kickoff: Boss Hill Stadium @ 7 pm. Always a hard hitting
emotional game, it will be a full house so get there by 6:30 to find a
seat.
Thoughts from the Elkmont Youth Football Program:
I
want to think Coach Holt his players and staff for working with me on
getting the youth football involved with the Elkmont High School
football team. Practicing with the older players Friday night and being
part of the introductions last night at the Steak and Weenie Game meant
a lot to these young players. Our young kids truly look up to these
high school players, and I can speak for my son's personal experience.
He made new friends with Senior Red Devil #88 Cody Thomas.
I
believe it was a success Saturday night, these kids got a taste of the
high school stadium and worked the crowd and they had a blast. They got
to see their partners from practice camp Friday night in uniform and
playing last night. Definitely a motivator for a small boy just
stepping into football or moving up the ranks, getting closer and closer to playing on the Elkmont Red Devils school teams.
Jason Shawley
As always Downtown Portraits was there to cover anything Elkmont, click on Steak and Weenie Game to see 116 great photos. These are available to order.
The youth football program had the opportunity to work with the varsity football team and coaches, August 16. Our young Red Devils had a great time being with the "big boys". These varsity players that took the time to be a little player's buddy will always have a number one fan; someone to whisper to his friend in the hallway when he sees his varsity player, "That's my friend."
Thoughts:
"I want to give an amazing huge thank you to Elkmont High School Red Devil Football players & coaches. What a fantastic night! Thank you Coach Holt & Staff for helping us make this happen, let's have a great year, GO RED DEVILS!" Jason Shawley
"My son had a blast with the Elkmont Varsity Football team and Staff last night during their practice. Those BIG BOYS (my player's words) was awesome with the small kids. So proud to be from this little town where people care about the kids! Thank you to all that helped; he has not stopped talking about it or PRACTICING!"
A Parent
LET'S PLAY SOME FOOTBALL
The last Elkmont Youth
Football signups (Ages 4-13) will be at the Elkmont
School Open House AND the Piney Chapel Open House, August 15th. Jason Shawley and several of the other
youth football coaches will be there to answer your questions and sign
up your player or cheerleader for the 2013 season. There is a $75
signup fee and a copy of birth certificate required. Fee covers
uniform, equipment, and trophy at the end of season. IT'S GONNA BE A
GREAT YEAR, YALL JOIN US!!!!
SPONSORS NEEDED:
Player Sponsors:
If you or your business be would be willing to
sponsor a football player this year who can't afford the signup fee,
please contact, Jason Shawley; Phone: 256-374-4638 Facebook link: Jason Shawley We have a handful of young men that love
the game, but due to hardship the families can not pay the $75 fee.
Team Sponsors:
The Elkmont football program is
looking for team sponsors. Not only would you help with the cost of
jerseys but you would also be helping us update our equipment. All the
teams are assigned their equipment from the Limestone County Youth
Football Program. Most of this equipment has been handed down for
years. Many of the helmets and protective pads need repair or
replacement. The coaches often use their money to provide for their
players. Please consider sponsoring a team; your support would be
greatly appreciated.
PLAYER INFORMATION:
August
16 - Youth football (ages 4 - 13) will be practicing with the Elkmont
High School varsity players and coaches on the high school field @ 6 pm.
August
17 - The youth players will be recognized at the Elkmont Red Devils
Steak and Weenie Game. Be sure to be there by 6:30 pm
August
19 - start of full contact practice; Field #2 Elkmont Baseball Field.
Practices are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6 - 8 pm.
Game schedules should be available the first week of September.
Don't forget to visit the Elkmont Football Blog for all things Elkmont Football
Many people think that the school pays
for the football program, field maintenance and transportation to
games. It does not. Lots of schools have a pay to play policy, such
as $600 per varsity sport at some of the larger schools in the state. Elkmont chooses to fund its sports differently. Our football program is self supporting with help from the Quarterback Club. This year the football players are selling discount cards to help cover the expense of fielding a football team.
These cards are $20 each with discounts
from Domino's Pizza, Applebee's, Arby's, Roosters, Pizza Hut, Krystal,
Express Oil Change, Quizno's, Captain D's, Panda Express, Little Caesars
and El Olmeca. Each player has been asked to sell 8 of them. You can
purchase them from the varsity football players. Please consider
supporting our team by buying a card. We need to circle the wagons
around our Elkmont community. If we don't take care of our own, who
will?
