Veteran team plus talent lead to high hopes
By Bob Castello
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
August 28, 1992
At Leesburg High this season, the changes will be minimal. The expectations will not be.
The Jackets return all but three of the starters who led last year's team to an 8-2 record - the first Leesburg team to win as many as eight games since 1974. The Jackets finished in a three-way tie for the Class 4A-7District 7 title, than lost in the tiebreaker.
Among the changes is a new head coach , as defensive coordinator Ed Hoffman has taken over for Ken Weir, who left for Stuart Martin county. The high hopes are not a secret to Hoffman, but he said he realizes it's a long season.
"We set our goals," Hoffman said. "We want to win one game at a time - and not have a district playoff."
Last year, the Jackets' coaching staff relied on the defense early while the offense got settled in. This year, both should be ready for the opening kickoff.
"it's going to be a doggone footrace to see who's ahead," said new defensive coordinator George Fuller. "We've got all the same people."
The most significant returnee is tailback Oran Singleton, who was among the state's rushing leaders and a first - team all - state selection after running for 1,798 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
Hoffman said the key offensively will be to make the best possible use of Singleton, knowing full well that opposing defenses will watch his every move.
"We're not making any big changes," Hoffman said. "We just want the defense to play us more honest.
"If they want to key us, we'll throw it. in the long run, it'll make us a better football team."
Quarterback Steve Gooden attempted just 25 passes last season. And Hoffman said Gooden will at least double that total this season.
The Jackets will work out of the I-bone, with nick Williams and Alan Neiford sharing the fullback spot and D.J. Keith and Ryan Eshbaugh working at stemback (similar to a flanker).
Both Singleton and the stemback will go in motion with frequency, spreading the field and creating more passing opportunities.
"We've got to do something because the defense will key on the tailback," Hoffman said.
Hoffman said Singleton, Keith, Eshbaugh and Duane Foster are likely to be the chief pass-catchers.
The Jackets should be solid up front, and Hoffman is confident they'll be able to run between the tackles as well as around them Center Ty Lawrence, guards Clay Rector and Lee Simmons tackles ken Rooney and Kyle Widmann and tight end Jason Nobles give Leesburg a strong, quick unit.
All of these players, plus reserve center Larry Pierce, attended a summer camp at Valdosta State College to ready themselves for the coming season.
The Jackets' defense has been steady and stingy in recent years - allowing opponents just 11 points and 200 yards per game last season - and there's little reason to believe that will change.
Simmons and Henry Wright return at the tackles, with Nobles at one end and David Geiger a newcomer at the other end.
Inside linebackers Lawrence and Beau Young are the heart of the unit. Eshbaugh and Brian Rausch will man the outside posts.
Keith and Herbert Ellis will be at the corners with Gooden, Foster and Julliard Roberts battling for the free safety spot.
"Depth is a problem." said Fuller. "And we're suspect at free safety and outside linebacker. But overall, we're a lot better than a lot of other schools."
In the kicking game, Leesburg is set with Rausch likely to be among the best place kickers and punters in the area.
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Bob Castello
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
www.dailycommercial.com
August 28, 1992
August 28, 1992
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