LAFAYETTE RAMBLERS
Lafayette hit the reset button on their football program last year when former Fort Payne, Ala. head coach Paul Ellis was hired to lead the Ramblers and the results were positive for the Orange-and-black. The Ramblers finished just one game out of the final state playoff spot and finished the year at a respectable 5-5.
Now with the curtain about to rise on a new season, optimism surrounds the Lafayette community as fans, and Ellis alike, are hoping 2019 is the year when the Ramblers take that next step.
“I told our seniors, my goal for them is to play in the state playoffs,” Ellis said. “I don’t want everybody to think that’s my only goal, but you’ve got to get in (to the playoffs) to do any damage (in the playoffs), so the first goal better be to get in. As we progress and as time goes on, we’ll start talking about region championships, but I want these seniors to experience being in the playoffs and then go from there.”
Ellis said the players in the program have a better understanding this season of what to expect and what’s expected of them moving forward.
“I think we’re a little more on track because now I think they understand the routine better,” he continued. “They know about the weight room, the attendance and the way we practice, going back to the spring. I just think the day-to-day routine has gotten easier for them.
“Last year, I thought we did a good job of being led by our seniors. I think they fought and they really took what we were saying to heart. We had some success early before we hit that buzzsaw there in the middle (of the season), but every year you should get better and you should adapt. Hopefully we’ve adapted. From year to year, you have to tweak things to get the maximum amount out of everyone. We’ve even moved some coaches around (this year) too. Not because they didn’t do a good job last year, but we thought they might be more comfortable in different positions. I think we’re probably about where we should be (right now). We lost a lot of quality seniors from last year, so we’ll have a lot of new faces, but I’m very, very pleased with the way we competed in the spring.”
Rambler fans will get to see two different quarterbacks perform under center this season as they look to replace graduated All-region performer Vyshonn Daniel.
Zach Cowan has good height, a live arm and is proving to be a solid pocket quarterback, but also one that can tuck the ball and run if needed. Meanwhile, Jaylon Ramsey is shorter in stature and is more of a running style of quarterback, although he has shown good arm strength and accuracy in the preseason. Both players will play at the Z receiver spot when not under center to take advantage of their athleticism.
At the other receiver positions, Brent Minor and Chase Keith will work in at the Y positions, Jacob Zwiger and Drake Bing will line up on the outside, while Jalen Suttle and Trey Taylor will give Lafayette a pair of playmakers on the inside. In the backfield, running back Jamario Clements has gotten taller, added several extra pounds of muscle in the offseason and could be poised for a breakout season.
Jordan Bradley, a physical left tackle, will return as a starter after earning Allregion honorable mention honors last year. Veteran Matthew Wallin will lineup at the opposite tackle spot, while Brendon Ratliff will bring experience to the left guard position. Coy Pendergrass and Cody Cook will both be contributors at right guard, while center Torenz Smith will bring even more athleticism to the middle of the line of scrimmage.
“We need to be great in the offensive line,” Ellis said. “It’s one of the stronger parts for our team right now because there’s not a lot of skill guys that are seniors. (The offensive line) has got to be very reliable every Friday night, game in and game out. And it may sound cliche, but we also can’t turn the ball over, have any negative plays or stupid penalties.”
On defense, Lafayette will employ both Cover 2 and Cover 3 formations. Taylor and Mason Alexander will both be counted on at cornerback. Bing (42 tackles, 10 pass breakups, one interception in 2018) is back at free safety after picking up second team AllRegion honors a year ago, while Dillion Shropshire will lineup at the strong safety spot. Suttle will also add additional depth at free safety.
The linebacking corps will include Darian Stevens at the weak-side/rover spot. Hunter Deal and Stone Phillips will give the Ramblers depth at the Sam position, while Brady Beard (60 tackles) is back at inside linebacker. He will have help on the inside from veteran Ben Maanum (66 tackles) and Jacob Moses, who had an impressive spring and summer.
Johnny Madaris has a good motor and will hold down the strong-side defensive end spot, while David Patterson will lineup on the opposite end after adding quite a bit of strength and size in the offseason. Simon Hu and D’sean Hooks will be in the rotation at defensive tackle and Ellis said noseguard Xavier Priddy is becoming more of a vocal leader on the defensive side of the ball.
On special teams, Lafayette has a solid weapon in kicker/punter Max Studdard. Deal will do the holding, while Case Davis is working in as the snapper.
“I think we understand more of what we’re doing on defense this year,” the coach added. “Again, I think that’s just because they’re more used to the routine in practice now.
“Plus, I think we’re understanding game situations better and I hope that’s the case. We’ll know more once the season starts.”
Ellis said he also hopes that his players will learn from past experiences and take the lessons learned last year to heart.
“I said this last year too, but you can’t look at the name of the front of the jersey,” he added. “You just have to go out there and compete and not worry about who (your opponent) is. We just have to go out there and play. Have we grown in that manner? Hopefully the answer will be yes.
“I also think we’re becoming a little more vocal this year. I keep telling them that the best teams I’ve ever coached are player-led, not coach-led. I’m not talking about yelling and screaming. I’m talking about speaking up when something has to be said or saying something positive at the right times. I started to see some of that this summer and back in the spring. It’s about believing in what we’re doing and believing in each other. To me, that’s the biggest thing.”