New coach wants to bring consistency to Sheridan
The biggest change new head coach Lance Parker hopes to bring to Sheridan High School is a consistent program.
“We want a true program, a true 7-12 vision,” Parker said. “It begins with summer workouts for seventh- to 12th-graders.”
Parker said this summer, Sheridan had about 200 kids a day working out either in the weight room or on the field.
“I thought it was really beneficial, getting everybody on the same page and started the right way. … It was good to see that happen this summer,” he said.
Last year, Sheridan finished 1-9 under former coach Louis Campbell. This is Parker’s first head-coaching position, after he served as co-offensive coordinator and widereceivers coach at Russellville the past two seasons. The Cyclones defeated Greenwood in the finals last season to win their first-ever state championship.
“We will have to start some sophomores this year, so there will be some growing pains because we are going to be a young team,” Parker said. “There is a learning curve that needs to happen, so it is going to be tough early.”
Part of the learning curve includes installing a more balanced offense.
“We will throw the ball more, and that is not what was done in the past,” Parker said. “There is a lot of excitement about that — a new brand of football.”
Last season, Justin Pruitt completed just 18 passes for 339 yards with four touchdowns. He also rushed for 454 yards with five touchdowns.
“They have bought in with what we are trying to tell them,” Parker said. “The seniors and upperclassmen want to make the transition smooth. There will be enough competing for spots; you don’t want to fight with people in the organization.”
Parker said returning senior receiver Jackson Coleman will be a physical presence for the Yellowjackets. He caught five passes for 105 yards with one touchdown.
Defensively, Colton Meredith and Noah Pruitt make up the interior, and junior outside linebacker Montana Korte provides a physical presence.
“When I start looking at physical, those are the guys I see,” Parker said. “They are not going to get pushed around.
“They are going to be physical in any game that we play. We need to get our program where we have a bunch of those guys. That’s when we will see a turn.”