Daingerfield’s philosophy this season is ‘earn it’
DAINGERFIELD, Texas—The Tigers are focused on being the best football team that they can be.
“Last year, we were not a good football team early on,” Daingerfield head coach Mike Waldie said. “I was new and after a 1-3 start we won five of six and were the district champions. We are expecting to take a step and make a playoff run.”
‘Earn it’ is the Tigers’ philosophy. Whether it is in practice, a workout, or in a game, Daingerfield’s ‘Earn it’ motto refers to earning whatever the Tigers are going for each day.
Waldie was not satisfied with last year’s performance. In Daingerfield’s first round playoff game against Winona, the Tigers gave up 28 points in the fourth quarter and lost.
“We did not finish the game, and we got beat,” Waldie said. “We watched Winona make a playoff run, and we felt like that was our spot. The expectation was not a one-and-done playoff, and we are working hard to get past that step this year.”
Waldie said that his team did more on the first day of practice than they did during week one of last year.
The coaching staff was on a learning curve last season, as there were 10 new coaches. The coaches had to learn all of the players’ names and figure out what position best suited each player.
“We know who each other are now, and building those relationships over the past year is going to make a difference,” Waldie said. “We feel like we have our identity down now.”
Daingerfield runs a gun, 2-back offense, similar to Auburn University’s scheme. They are a power counter team from the shotgun and like to spread out defenses in order to make them cover the whole width of the field.
The leader of the offense is standout athlete senior Reggie Jeter (6-2, 175), the returning All-District quarterback. Jeter will also play running back, insdie receiver, outside receiver, and starts at cornerback.
But to start the season, Jeter gets the nod at quarterback.
“Reggie is a true team guy,” Waldie said. “His teammates love him. He is the true athletic guy that I am blessed to have on my team. He can catch, throw, run and is a very intelligent football player.”
Jeter squats 405 pounds, runs a 4.6 second 40-yard dash, benches 230 pounds, passed for 490 yards last season, while he caught 14 passes for 228 yards and ran for 404 yards on 88 totes. He accounted for 18 Daingerfield touchdowns.
Junior Jakauri Woods (6-2, 185) broke his collar bone in the first game of the first quarter last year and will see a lot of playing time. Woods started out as the starting quarterback last season and has great speed. He anchored many of the Tigers’ track relay teams. Woods will also see time at receiver.
Jakobe Alexander (6-1, 165) is a sophomore quarterback who is expected to get some snaps as well. Alexander led the junior varisty to a district title a year ago.
“I have three quarterbacks who I feel can lead us to victory,” Waldie said. “How that shakes out is going to depend on defense and where we need everyone to play.”
Daingerfield has six different players who will compete for the lead running back role. Waldie said that the running back job is the widest open position on the team. The Tigers will rotate the six talented players until one of them takes hold of the lead role.
Trodarius Lynn (5-9, 170), in addition to Jeter and Woods, will see time at receiver. Lynn made 51 tackles, had six fumble recoveries and three interceptions while playing conerback last season for the Tigers.
Anchoring the offensive line are returning first team All-District selections senior left guard AJ Carroll (6-1, 280) and junior right guard Zack Gilmore (6-0, 290). Carroll and Gilmore anchor both sides for Daingerfield in an offensive scheme that requires the guards to pull a lot.
“We need to get our tempo down where we can control our rhythm better, and we need to throw the ball better,” Waldie said.
The Tigers run a 3-4 defense. Daingerfield lost three good starting defensive linemen to graduation, and the biggest challenge for the Tigers on defense will be replacing those players.
One of the leaders on defense is senior inside linebacker Jose Mendez (5-10, 185).
“Jose is a great kid and does everything right,” Waldie said. “He gets us in the right formations and is just a great football player.”
Jeter and Woods standout in the secondary. Helping the linebacker corps is senior outside linebacker and strong safety Timmyon Broner (5-9, 165).
“I like this group that we have and am excited to compete with them,” Waldie said. “I am most excited about being a year into what we are trying to do on both sides of the ball. I think we can really find out what kind of football team we are better this year. Last year, we really kind of smoke-andmirrored our way to some wins.”