Wildcats to use more power sets
El Dorado set fire to the school record book for offense last season. The Wildcats set school records with 600 total points and an average of 46.5 points per game. Quarterback Sharmon Rester was another record setter, throwing for 3,537 yards and 41 touchdowns.
It was a season that might never be duplicated, ending in a 6A state championship.
El Dorado coach Steven Jones said this year’s team could have a different look but hopes it leads to similar success.
Rester graduated as did two 1,000-yard receivers and three starters on the offensive line. How will the Wildcats replace them?
Tight ends and fullbacks, according to Jones.
The Wildcats will sport different looks this season, at times straying from the 5-wide spread they used so effectively in the past. Jones hopes establishing more of a running game will open opportunities in the play-action pass.
That will start with the offensive line, led by, from left, Carmelo Johnson, Ethan Faith, Japhen Baker, Jamaal Green and AJ Craig.
“The running game this year is the most important feature to our offense and maybe on our team,” said Jones. “If we can establish that, if we can be physical between the tackles and run the football, we’ll be able to make more plays out in space. That’s something we’ve really worked hard on. We’ve spent a lot of time on inside drill and from tackle-to-tackle, making sure we understand assignments. We are very simple in our run game. Our offensive line has done a good job of blocking against various fronts and knowing their responsibilities. I feel like we could have a very efficient group there.
“Throw in tights end and fullbacks in the mix that we’ll have on the field, I feel pretty good about where we are as far as our run game goes. The more we can prove we can run the football, we’ll have more of an ability to make plays out on the edge.”
The tight ends will be Andrew Clawson and Ahmad Young with fullbacks Rayvarius Joe and Samadja Kimble.
Joe moved from the defensive side.
“He’s a guy that kind of got lost in the mix at defensive line and linebacker and he’s found a home for us at fullback and done a good job in fall camp,” said Jones, who was asked if the positions will primarily be blockers in the run game.
“It depends on the player. If they’re a guy that can block and also run and catch, that’s going to make us more multiple and could open a lot of things up.”