Strong has wealth of experience returning on defensive side of ball

Coaches at all levels of football often speak of the importance of fundamentals with tackling being the biggest on defense.

For Strong, who is moving to eightman football, tackling will be even more vital in trying to limit big plays.

On the front line, the Bulldogs have a pair of seniors working at defensive end.

Jayme Correa, who was an AllConference performer last year, mans one spot with Greg Aubrey at the other spot, although Strong coach Sirl Wright said Aubrey could move to outside linebacker as well. Devin Osgood, a junior transfer, is at defensive tackle.

The Bulldogs have plenty of experience at linebacker.

Senior Treveon Daniels is the outside linebacker on the strong side, while fellow senior Byron Maze is working on the weak side. LaQuincy Shelton, a junior, is the middle inside linebacker. He led Strong in tackles a year ago.

“The linebackers are a great group of tacklers along with speed,” Wright said.

In the secondary, senior Caneilus Betters and junior Kanye Hawkins are working at cornerback.

“He is a returning senior with experience,” Wright said of Betters. “He (Hawkins) is a returning junior lacking experience, but he will make it up with high energy.”

At free safety, senior Jeremy Jackson is expected to get the nod.

“A returning senior with experience with sideline-to-sideline speed,” Wright said.

Wright said the secondary has a chance to be a solid unit.

“They have great speed and awareness,” Wright said.

As the Bulldogs prepare for their first season of eight-man football, Wright said the Bulldogs must do two things in order to be successful.

“Align correctly and execute the assignments,” Wright said.

As far as special teams are concerned, Maze will handle the punting and kicking chores with Betters set to handle the return duties on punts and kickoffs.

For Wright, success on special teams must follow the same recipe as on defense.

“Alignment is key,” Wright said.