JACKSON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2006
Location: Gainesboro, Tennessee
Nickname: Blue Devils
Stadium: Mack Draper Stadium (1,500)
2005 Record: (0-6) 1-9
Head Coach: Brint Russell (1st Year)
Assistant Coaches: Matthan Houser, Shaun Moffitt, Michael Deaver, Mark Houser, Lee Dulworth
The Jackson County Blue Devils enter the 2006 football season with a new coach, a new system, and the same old challenges. What can make this edition of the Blue Devils different are attitude, discipline and work ethic. When a program has won only two games during the previous three seasons and only four games in six years success can seem almost unattainable.
“We have to teach these kids how to win. They have to learn to be winners you have to act like winners and approach every day with the attitude that we are going to do whatever it takes to make ourselves better,” said new Head Coach Brint Russell. “We have had some rocky times but for the most part the attitude has been good. It’s hard to think like a winner when you have suffered through what these kids have but I think the product we will put on the field on Friday nights will be something the community will be proud support.”
The Blue Devils have installed new offensive and defensive schemes and are working to learn their responsibilities. It could be a special season for Jackson County High School if the pieces fall into place.
“We want our players to expect to win, to play to win, we can’t do anything about the past but we can control what we are doing now and what we are doing now is working hard to improve the prospects for football in Jackson County. Our coaching staff is working everyday to get our guys in a position where they can be successful.”
A position by position preview of the 2006 Jackson County Blue Devils:
Offense
Quarterbacks:
Derek Loftis (6’0”,185, jr.) will be the starting quarterback. Loftis has a strong arm and is working to improve his steps in the passing game. He gained some experience last year as a sophomore and has worked hard in the preseason. Matt Scott, the starting tailback, will also see some snaps under center in situational settings. In addition, Cody Franklin (5’10”, 170, so.) will provide depth under center.
Runningbacks:
Matt Scott (5’10”, 180, sr.) will be the tailback and has shown a combination of speed and power in the preseason. Fullback Devin Wright (6’0”, 220, sr.) is one of the strongest players on the team. Wright is an excellent lead blocker and an imposing ball carrier.
Also set to see playing time in the backfield is tailback Derek Ragland (5’10”, 170, jr.) and fullback Keith Meisenberg (5’10”,200, so.). Additional depth in provided by a pair of freshman Caleb Stafford (5’10”,145) and Colby Fox (5’10”, 135).
Wide Receivers:
Rudy Basaldua (6’4”, 190, jr.) has been impressive in the preseason with his footwork and blocking skills from the wide receiver position. He will most likely be the starter and will split time with Brandon Smallwood (6’3”,190, sr.). When the Blue Devils go to multiple receiver sets Derek Ragland and Matt Scott will split out at times and will be joined by Robbie Smith (5’11”, 165, so.). Smith has shown big play capabilities with his speed and quickness. Others who will compete for playing time include Ruben Basaldua (6’5”, 185, sr.), who had 2 catches a year ago, Evan Stafford (5’10”, 165, so.), Jordan Hunter (5’10, 155, so.), and Corey Hamby (5’10”, 125, fr.).
Tight Ends:
The Blue Devils will run often from a two tight end set with Marcus Woolbright (5’11’, 200, sr.) and David Phillips (6’3”,190, sr.) manning those positions. Woolbright has shown good hands in preseason drills while both have been steady as blockers. Behind them are Adam Jones (5’11”, 185, so.), who is expected to see some playing time, and Michael Allen (5’10”, 175, so.).
Offensive Line:
Kendrick Bean (5’10”, 245, sr.) heads the offensive line and can play either tackle or guard and is currently listed at right tackle. Bean, the strongest member of the team is expected to have an outstanding season upfront for the Blue Devils after moving from the backfield a year ago. Other starters up front include center Danny Mayberry (5’10”.185, sr.), and guards David Lynn (5’10”, 225, sr.), and Daniel Robinson (5’10”, 235, jr.) and left tackle J.W. Jones (5’11”, 230, sr.). Donnie Pippin (6’3”, 230, sr.) will also see lots of playing time along with starting on the defensive front. Others providing depth up front are: guards Cody Mayberry (5’10”,185, so.), Nathan Holloway (5’11”, 170, fr.), Donnie Locke (5’10”, 155, fr.), Ethan Bean (5’11”, 190, fr.), and Edward Serrano (6’0”, 215, jr.); Tackles, Chuck Hix (6’2”, 275, sr.), Josh Loveridge (5’11”, 225, so.), and Mason Hensley (6’0”, 215, fr.). Additional depth includes center Matthew Knight (5’10”, 160, fr.), Alex Ragland (5’10”, 150, fr.), and John Andrew (5’10”, 205, jr.).
Defense
Defensive Line:
The Blue Devils defensive will be a big key to winning the early games as the offense learns the new scheme. It all begins with the defensive line led by senior defensive ends Kendrick Bean and David Lynn. At the tackle positions will be another senior, Donnie Pippin, and junior Daniel Robinson. Good competition in preseason has added depth to the tackles position with a number of players expected to get an opportunity including seniors J. W. Jones, Chuck Hix, Danny Mayberry, and Brandon Smallwood. Additional depth in the defensive line will come from David Phillips, Edward Serrano, Donnie Locke, Josh Loveridge, Nathan Holloway, Ethan Bean, Mason Hensley, Michael Allen, Matthew Knight, Alex Ragland, and John Andrew.
Linebackers:
The 4-4 defense installed for the 2006 season features a nice balance of power and speed including outside linebackers Matt Scott, a senior, and Keith Meisenberg, a sophomore. Both have been explosive off the edge and have been a bright spot in the defensive play this preseason. Inside linebackers Devin Wright and Marcus Woolbright have also looked impressive in preseason. “Linebacker play is so important in the scheme we intend to play,” said Matthan Houser, Defensive Coordinator. “We feel we have the makings of a good unit and with the physical play we think we can get out of the front guys, and the improving secondary, we feel we can have a much improved defense.”
Adding depth at the linebacker positions are sophomores Adam Jones, Cody Mayberry, and Cody Franklin, and freshman Colby Fox.
Secondary:
The secondary has become a highly competitive area with several players battling for three positions. Free Safety Derek Loftis, and starting cornerbacks Derek Ragland and Rudy Basaldua make for an all junior defensive backfield at this point. Hoever, sophomore Robbie Smith is challenging hard for playing time and has the speed and quickness to be a factor while senior Brandon Smallwood also will qualify for playing time if he is not utilized in the defensive front. Next on the depth chart are Ruben Basaldua, Jordan Hunter, Caleb Stafford, and Corey Hamby.
Special Teams:
Derek Ragland has won the kicking job and will attempt field goals and extra points out of Derek Loftis’ hold. Kendrick Bean will handle the punting while Devin Wright is the long snapper.
Returning punts will be Matt Scott while the kickoff return duties are not yet settled.
Coaching Staff:
Head Coach Brint Russell comes to Jackson County after having been an assistant in the North Carolina high school ranks. Russell is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University, in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. He most recently was the assistant head coach at 4-A Mc Dowell High School, in McDowell, North Carolina and before that was Head JV Coach at Asheville Erwin High School. He previously was a head coach at AshevilleCane Creek Middle school where his team was undefeated.
He has put together a six member coaching staff including two holdovers from the previous staff including, Shaun Moffitt, a University of Tennessee graduate who has worked at Central Florida and with the Houston Astros organization; and Richard Deaver, a former football player at Cumberland College, Kentucky now known as the University of the Cumberlands . Joining the staff as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator is Matthan Houser, a former Livingston Academy 4-time All State football player and Dartmouth College wide receiver. Also joining the staff are non faculty coaches Mark Houser, who formerly coached at White County and spent six years at Livingston Academy, where the team went to the second round or beyond in the TSSAA playoffs during his final four years,; and Lee Dulworth, a former stalwart defensive lineman at Livingston Academy.
Conclusion:
The Blue Devils of 2006 have a chance to accomplish something special. The community has heard the talk before but nothing can create enthusiasm like winning.
“We need to show our fans that we can win some football games. We need to come out of the gate playing hard and doing things the right way,” Coach Russell said. “We can promise the people of this community that we will not be outworked. How that translates into wins and losses no one knows but we intend to win football games.” Jackson County will play Watertown in a Jamboree Football Classic at Lebanon, Tennessee on Friday, August 18. The Blue Devils will begin regular season action versus Clay County in Celina on August 25.
