L-E players look at each other as more than a team
A quick glance over LibertyEylau’s 2017 football roster reveals 36 players in the senior class.
The team leadership is being provided by not only those seniors, but also some of the juniors who were full-time starters last season. The central theme of those players’ perspective is that the team, almost a family, tight-knit group, comes first.
Orion Williams is a senior defensive end who missed the last nine games of the season with an injury.
“It’s very important to have a great season as a senior,” Williams said. “It’s always been a dream to have the opportunity to be out there. I have to step up as a senior, and (after missing most of last year) I want to show recruiters what I can do. I want to have the opportunity to play at the next level.
“The keys for us are being more aggressive, being more of an athlete and being durable. I want this team to win, Williams said. “We always get so far. I want to get to the point where we play on the big stage and can handle it, like we belong there.”
DeAndre Hoof is a senior running back and linebacker who will play both ways.
“I’ve been working hard, trying to treat every practice like a game situation and putting the right stuff in my body,” Hoof said about getting ready to be a full-time twoway starter. “I have to stay focused. We should go all the way. We played a lot of younger players last year, so we have a lot of experience back. We should be good. Our work ethic is strong, as a team.”
Cedric Dickerson is a junior running back and linebacker, who will also start on both sides of the ball.
“I worked hard over the summer, trying to get in shape to play both sides of the ball,” Dickerson said. “We’re just going to play our game to be successful. We want to get back to win a district championship; if we keep working hard like we’ve been doing, we should be there.”
Isaiah Cross was the leading receiver for the Leopards last season as a sophomore. He also figures to be a two-way starter at cornerback this fall.
“With starting my sophomore year, I learned pretty quick how I needed to run my routes, how much faster I need to get and more physical I need to get,” Cross said. “I enjoy playing defense; it’s fun too. It’s a different mindset, and you have to be more prepared mentally and physically.”
Decorian Phillips is back for his senior year at quarterback and will also play some safety.
“We’ve developed more a family atmosphere this year,” Phillips said. “We’re more connected, and we’re all on one key. Last year was a learning process, and this year we’re going to have good experiences. We’re going to take it one game at a time. We all have the same goals: district first and then to win a state title. I put a lot on my shoulders, helping out both sides of the ball, and I want to make sure the team’s in a good position to be successful.”
It’s a mindset that’s catching on for L-E.