Veterans ready to lead the way for Trojans on offense

Parkers Chapel’s offense had its ups and downs in 2020.

In five of their games, they scored 22 or more points, but in their other four tilts, they were shut out twice and held to 26 points combined in setbacks to Junction City and Fordyce.

The Trojans enter the 2021 season with a new quarterback with the graduation of Trace Shoup.

Lancer Clark, a senior who has been a favorite target of Trojan quarterbacks at wide receiver in each of the last two years, is in the mix to land the starting role.

The Trojans also have a newcomer in senior Tucker Crotty who is also vying for playing time there.

“He is our best athlete,” Parkers Chapel coach Elliot Jacobs said of Clark. “Tucker is a move in from Houston and could push Lancer at the position.”

The Trojans also have a void in the backfield with the graduation of All-Conference running back Edison Thompson, but PC has a quartet competing at running back and fullback.

Junior Payton Willeford is a returnee who is competing with senior Russell Pridgen at running back.

“He has a high football IQ and is a physical runner,” Jacobs said of Willeford. “Pridgen has a good balance of speed and power.”

Juniors Evan Golden and Clay Evers are battling for playing time at fullback.

“Golden is a strong kid. Evers is more athletic and a better receiver out of the backfield,” Jacobs said of the duo.

At wide receiver, senior Jaxson Dees is in the mix with junior Branson Bryant.

Senior tight end Daniel Ramirez was lauded by Jacobs as having the “best hands.”

But for Jacobs, Clark and Willeford will have to produce if the Trojans are to have success.

“Everything for us starts with Lancer and Payton,” Jacobs said.

Up front, the Trojans have a wealth of upperclassmen slotted at four of the five spots that includes three juniors, although PC must find a way to fill the spot left with the graduation of All-Conference selection Payten Tompkins.

Juniors Cade Fennell

and Elijah Brown man the left side at tackle and guard respectively.

Paytin Greene, a sophomore who is the lone underclassman of the group, will get the nod at center.

Joe Bradley, the lone senior of the group, is at right guard with junior Josh Askew set to start at right tackle.

“We are bigger than we've been in the past, but we are changing from a gap scheme to a man scheme,” Jacobs said. “We still have a lot of work to do.”

For the Trojans to have success in moving the ball this season, Jacobs said the Trojans have to limit turnovers and keep the chains moving.

“We are going to have to take care of the football and be able to sustain long drives,” Jacobs said.