Bucks have high hopes for young defense
Smackover’s defense took its lumps last year, but with David Preston back as the Bucks’ defensive coordinator along with a promising group of underclassmen, the Bucks are aiming to bounce back in 2021.
Up front, the Bucks have a mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen vying for playing time.
Juniors Juan Ellingson and Kenny Benson, along with sophomore Regan Barton and senior Calvin Mitchell are competing at defensive end.
“They have good size and speed and have played with good technique so far,” said Smackover coach David Osborn.
One name that may be a bit unusual to see potentially working in the trenches is junior D’Kylan Hildreth, who plays at wide receiver when the Bucks are on offense.
“He has also been working at the weak side end this year and he brings an explosive first step,” Osborn said of Hildreth. “With his wide wingspan, he can cause a major disruption on that side of the field.”
Senior Lamon Hicks is expected to get the nod at defensive tackle, although sophomores Chris Lawrence and Ty Jones could see playing time, as could sophomore Dylan Valdez and junior Daniel Valdez.
“Lamon Hicks is our guy at the one tech,” Osborn said. “He has good speed and above average strength for a guy his size. Lamon has the ability to disrupt with his skill set. Chris Lawrence and Ty Jones are two 10th-graders who have come on and can help us in the interior. They both were out of football last year and were big pickups for us. Dylan Valdez with his quickness and low angles can be a disruptive force in the defense. Daniel Valdez has been out this summer recovering from an injury. We are hoping he will be back early in the season.”
The Bucks will be even younger at linebacker with four sophomores in the mix to see playing time.
Trace Davis, Boone Dearman, Tanner Mitchell and Wyatt Parker form the quartet of sophomores with senior Wesley Murphy and junior Tyler Sexton competing for playing time.
“This group has been working hard with coach (Josh) Wesson and Preston,” Osborn said. “They have been working hard on reads and tackling. I have been impressed with their aggression, we just need to transition it to the field.”
One area where the Bucks have some experience returning is in the
secondary.
Senior Jakessio Welch and juniors Jarius Burgie and Daylon Curley are working at cornerback along with Parker and Nic Saulsbury, a sophomore.
“We have a good group working in the secondary. It’s a good mixture of speed and experience in those positions,” Osborn said. “So far the competition has been very good and we have been stressing fundamentals.”
Sophomore Cole McNeely and senior Kelvonte Stringfellow are working at the safety spots.
“What we have been really stressing with this group is that all parts are interchangeable,” Osborn said. “The players have done a great job of picking up all the coverages.”
As far as special teams are concerned, Osborn said Hicks and Mitchell would handle the bulk of the kicking duties.
“Lamon is more of a straight-on kicker and is usually pretty solid from 30 yards in,” Osborn said. “Having someone you feel comfortable with is a huge advantage. We would like to have that ability of any time we get in the red zone, we have a shot of at least three points.”