Red Devils look forward after winless season
MOUNTAIN PINE — Entering his second season at Mountain Pine, coach Sam Counce and the Red Devils have a renewed sense of excitement after a disappointing end to 2016.
Mountain Pine forfeited the last five games and eight overall last year, going 0-10 for the fourth time in five years. With
25 players on the roster, the Red Devils are optimistic for a full season and look to reinvigorate a program with just one win over the last five seasons.
“Everybody is excited; the kids are pushing each other and they’re wanting to compete,” Counce said. “They missed last year’s season. They missed the atmosphere of being here on Friday and playing football.”
Counce praised his seven seniors for guiding the rest of the team throughout the summer and into fall practices.
“The senior-high group has led us really well,” he said. “We’ve got some kids going into the 12th grade that are going to be leaders on the field and in the classroom for us, and that makes a lot of difference. I like for the seniors to be involved and have a say in what we’re doing.”
Sophomore Collin Smith takes over at quarterback with Josh Walpole moving to receiver. Smith rushed for more than
1,200 yards and led the 4-4 junior-high team last season, but his work ethic made Counce comfortable with naming him the starter.
“One thing is every time the door opens, he walks in; when I’m here, he’s here,” said Counce. “He’s not a vocal kid by any means, but he’s one of the strongest on the team and he works the hardest. He’s going to give us an opportunity at quarterback to have a run-pass option. He’s grown up a lot this offseason and he’s taken the challenge; he wants to be the quarterback.”
Lake Hamilton transfer Fay Haywood gives the team a new weapon in the backfield. Haywood rushed for 346 yards and had nine touchdowns as the starting quarterback for the Wolves last season.
“He’s as quick as I’ve seen from 10 yards,” Counce said. “He’s a leader and he pushes the other kids, anywhere from getting in the huddle right to running their sprints. He’s been a huge addition for us.”
Senior Chad Graves, junior Kayden Anzaldua and Walpole provide speed on the outside, giving Smith an athletic receiving corps.
“We have some options for this team,” said Counce. “I think we’re going to be very competitive in all contests that we have. There’s going to be a stumble or two because of last season, but we have the talent to beat some people. It’s just a matter of getting that frame of mind to go out and compete each week.”
Senior Josh Lynch (6-5,
250) at left tackle, senior Carter Chapman (5-9, 192) at left guard, junior Kaden Wilcox
(6-1, 260) at center, senior Matthew Herron (6-1, 230) at right guard and junior Jason Bennett
(6-2, 260) at right tackle give the Red Devils a veteran offensive line that Counce sees as a team strength. Sophomore Cobra Barnett (5-11, 255) and juniors Ellison Caldwell (58, 205) and Sean Jackson (62, 279) will also see time up front.
“It’s going to have to be a strength for us; (the line is) where everything is taken care of on offense,” Counce said. “They’ve got to win every down and play hard on every down for us. Matt Herron has been here working hard and he’s led on the practice field. Matt is one guy that we bring up almost every afternoon after practice, and talk about how much he’s improved and how hard he’s working.”
An all-state pitcher for the baseball team, Herron also plays defensive end for the Red Devils, flanked by Barnett on the other side. Wilcox stuffs the run at noseguard while senior Colton Buckner sets the tone at defensive tackle.
“That front line, if they can stay healthy, they can be a special unit for us,” said Counce. “We love the rest of our defense and they’re good, but up front is where we’re going to hang our hat.”
Chapman starts at linebacker, with sophomore Hayden Barnes eyeing a breakout season after leading the junior-high team in tackles last year.
“It’s been a pretty good transition from junior high to senior high for him,” Counce said. “Hayden lacks a little bit as far as weight, but he plays hard every down and makes up for that. Playing a full junior-high season last year, Hayden improved so much that there’s no way we could keep him off the field. He’s made himself into a good football player.”
Sophomore Jeremiah Walker provides depth at linebacker. Junior safety Ja’on Smith joins Graves, Haywood and Walpole in an athletic secondary with the speed to prevent big plays.
“We can do a lot of things up front knowing those guys are back there,” said Counce. “We can throw in a few stunts and make things hard for the offense. Fay breaks on the ball very well, Chad is so smart and so competitive and I’ll take Josh Walpole to battle anytime. Those guys being older and having experience is really going to help us on defense. It’s going to make us a more complete unit.”
With the baseball and basketball teams each advancing to regional tournaments, Mountain Pine experienced an athletic resurgence last year, and Counce believes his team has similar potential. The Red Devils’ last playoff appearance was in 2010 under the late Jody Frazier.
“For me personally, I’ll be disappointed if we don’t make the playoffs,” Counce said. “I think we’ve got the talent, and it’s our job as coaches to make sure we get there every week and we’re ready to play. Baseball and basketball have kind of set the bar for us, and it’s the same kids out here on the football team. At a small school like our environment, I think it’s great for all sports to achieve what they’ve achieved. It’s our turn to step up.”
The Red Devils open the season Sept. 1 against visiting Jessieville.