Red Raiders humble; taken the motto 'Deserve Victory'
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
LONDON — "Deserve Victory."
Those two words describe the mindset of the 2010 London Red Raiders football program. Players and coaches ask one another after each practice or weight lifting
session if they deserve victory.
LHS has 17 returning starters, 85-90 percent of their offense, back, according to fifth year LHS head coach Bill Dennis.
"It's one thing they are all good kids," Dennis said while talking about his returning players. "But to have that many kids with Friday night experience, no drill can get kids ready like Friday nights can.
"Last year, we were a few plays away from finishing 8-2 or 7-3. So now, we ask ourselves if we deserve victory. It is about doing the extra things, extra running or running the extra routes, making the extra block."
In 2009, the Red Raiders finished 5-5.
"Our kids are hungry," Dennis said. "We are way ahead on offense, defense and special teams. We have to execute plays, but the players are well out in front where we were a year ago."
One big part of the the London season will be the offensive line, as they are returning four members of the o-line.
The three-year starters on the offensive line will consist of seniors Larry Sampson (6-3, 285, T), Chris Shifflet (6-1, 270 C), Jordan Johnson (6-2, 225, T) and junior Jared Chastain (6-1, 190, G). New to the starting lineup is junior Aaron Leddy (6-2, 200, G).
"We must get it done up front if we want success this year," Dennis said.
Returning letterman for LHS on offense (other then the offensive line) include: seniors Jeff Yates (5-10, 185, QB), Justin Hoosier (5-8, 165, RB), Jared Long (5-10, 165, WR) and junior Jake Burns (5-9, 170, RB).
Yates, who played two years at Central Crossing, returns for his second and final season with the Red Raiders. Last season he was 63-of-119 for 797 yards passing with 11 touchdowns. He also was productive on his feet, rushing for 685 yards on 185 attempts.
Burns had 97 carries for 666 yards (6.9 ypg) and nine touchdowns. Hoosier had 116 carries for 587 yards (three TDs) and eight catches for 85 yards. Long had five catches for 67 yards last season.
"We can't look ahead. The kids have worked hard and are prepared for battle," Dennis said. "We feel good about the offensive line and it is no secret we have speed. Our running backs and our quarterback can fly.
"Jeff (Yates) has a great arm and head, but his feet are his No. 1 attribute. He's a great leader, and that's something you can't coach."
Dennis also spoke about his rushing attack.
"Hoosier and Burns are special players," he said. "Both are good kids, and we have another running back in (junior) Josh High (6-2, 215). He's also our starting cornerback, and he'll knock your socks off."
The fourth tailback in the mix will be sophomore Antonio Wilson (5-9, 165).
"He's unbelievably gifted," Dennis said. “He (Antonio) can make great cuts, and he's another speedster."
The wide receiver rotation will consist of Long, junior Kory Downing (5-9, 150) and sophomore Kyle Fisher (5-11, 170). The trio will also start in the defensive backfield for the Red Raiders. Freshman Blake Dennis (6-0, 150) will also see time at wide receiver. In jr. high, he was a three-event state champion.
"I really feel with our offense and our kids up front we can run, but we can buckle up and play power football too. We don't just have to outrun our opponents," Dennis said. "We didn't do that much last season. Last year, we depended on our speed, getting out to the edge, but we've worked hard in the offseason on our power game. Our receivers have been outstanding and the commitment from all the kids, they deserve all the credit and are committed to the program."
The LHS defense will consist of nine juniors, one senior and one sophomore, and will look to the experience gained a season ago if they want to make the playoffs.
"All our juniors played on the defense as sophomores," Dennis said. "We have a rough way to go. The league is very good, and we have a very tough non-league schedule. We are excited, and if you want to make the playoffs, you have to play the teams to earn it. That's what is great about football. Unlike other sports, you have to play your way into the playoffs."
The linebackers for the Red Raiders are High and junior Anthony Robinson (6-1, 210).
Defensive line members include: Johnson, sophomore Brandon Sammons (6-0, 190), junior Frenchy Boos (5-8, 210), junior Carson Hiser (6-0, 265), junior Jared Chastain (6-1, 190) and sophomore Damon Coffil (6-0, 250).
Drew Newman returns as kicker, and Dylan Follord and Kyle Fisher will share punting duties. Chastain is the long snapper on punts and junior Bryan Ansel is the extra point long snapper.
"Our team is very humble," Dennis said. "We're excited, but with our strength of schedule, we are going to have to practice for one game at a time. The kids have bought into one step, one day, one game, and we will do the best we can. If we do that, we will see where we stand after 10 weeks."
London will kick off the 2010 season at home against Urbana.[[In-content Ad]]
Those two words describe the mindset of the 2010 London Red Raiders football program. Players and coaches ask one another after each practice or weight lifting
session if they deserve victory.
LHS has 17 returning starters, 85-90 percent of their offense, back, according to fifth year LHS head coach Bill Dennis.
"It's one thing they are all good kids," Dennis said while talking about his returning players. "But to have that many kids with Friday night experience, no drill can get kids ready like Friday nights can.
"Last year, we were a few plays away from finishing 8-2 or 7-3. So now, we ask ourselves if we deserve victory. It is about doing the extra things, extra running or running the extra routes, making the extra block."
In 2009, the Red Raiders finished 5-5.
"Our kids are hungry," Dennis said. "We are way ahead on offense, defense and special teams. We have to execute plays, but the players are well out in front where we were a year ago."
One big part of the the London season will be the offensive line, as they are returning four members of the o-line.
The three-year starters on the offensive line will consist of seniors Larry Sampson (6-3, 285, T), Chris Shifflet (6-1, 270 C), Jordan Johnson (6-2, 225, T) and junior Jared Chastain (6-1, 190, G). New to the starting lineup is junior Aaron Leddy (6-2, 200, G).
"We must get it done up front if we want success this year," Dennis said.
Returning letterman for LHS on offense (other then the offensive line) include: seniors Jeff Yates (5-10, 185, QB), Justin Hoosier (5-8, 165, RB), Jared Long (5-10, 165, WR) and junior Jake Burns (5-9, 170, RB).
Yates, who played two years at Central Crossing, returns for his second and final season with the Red Raiders. Last season he was 63-of-119 for 797 yards passing with 11 touchdowns. He also was productive on his feet, rushing for 685 yards on 185 attempts.
Burns had 97 carries for 666 yards (6.9 ypg) and nine touchdowns. Hoosier had 116 carries for 587 yards (three TDs) and eight catches for 85 yards. Long had five catches for 67 yards last season.
"We can't look ahead. The kids have worked hard and are prepared for battle," Dennis said. "We feel good about the offensive line and it is no secret we have speed. Our running backs and our quarterback can fly.
"Jeff (Yates) has a great arm and head, but his feet are his No. 1 attribute. He's a great leader, and that's something you can't coach."
Dennis also spoke about his rushing attack.
"Hoosier and Burns are special players," he said. "Both are good kids, and we have another running back in (junior) Josh High (6-2, 215). He's also our starting cornerback, and he'll knock your socks off."
The fourth tailback in the mix will be sophomore Antonio Wilson (5-9, 165).
"He's unbelievably gifted," Dennis said. “He (Antonio) can make great cuts, and he's another speedster."
The wide receiver rotation will consist of Long, junior Kory Downing (5-9, 150) and sophomore Kyle Fisher (5-11, 170). The trio will also start in the defensive backfield for the Red Raiders. Freshman Blake Dennis (6-0, 150) will also see time at wide receiver. In jr. high, he was a three-event state champion.
"I really feel with our offense and our kids up front we can run, but we can buckle up and play power football too. We don't just have to outrun our opponents," Dennis said. "We didn't do that much last season. Last year, we depended on our speed, getting out to the edge, but we've worked hard in the offseason on our power game. Our receivers have been outstanding and the commitment from all the kids, they deserve all the credit and are committed to the program."
The LHS defense will consist of nine juniors, one senior and one sophomore, and will look to the experience gained a season ago if they want to make the playoffs.
"All our juniors played on the defense as sophomores," Dennis said. "We have a rough way to go. The league is very good, and we have a very tough non-league schedule. We are excited, and if you want to make the playoffs, you have to play the teams to earn it. That's what is great about football. Unlike other sports, you have to play your way into the playoffs."
The linebackers for the Red Raiders are High and junior Anthony Robinson (6-1, 210).
Defensive line members include: Johnson, sophomore Brandon Sammons (6-0, 190), junior Frenchy Boos (5-8, 210), junior Carson Hiser (6-0, 265), junior Jared Chastain (6-1, 190) and sophomore Damon Coffil (6-0, 250).
Drew Newman returns as kicker, and Dylan Follord and Kyle Fisher will share punting duties. Chastain is the long snapper on punts and junior Bryan Ansel is the extra point long snapper.
"Our team is very humble," Dennis said. "We're excited, but with our strength of schedule, we are going to have to practice for one game at a time. The kids have bought into one step, one day, one game, and we will do the best we can. If we do that, we will see where we stand after 10 weeks."
London will kick off the 2010 season at home against Urbana.[[In-content Ad]]