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By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
Gone from the Calhoun Red Devils, who open the season tonight at Gilmer
County, are three-year starters Eric Metz, Marcus Davis and Zach Houchin.
Gone too is head coach Bucky Stewart.
Bleak?
Some may think so, but there are some very talented people waiting to
step up. There are some very talented people returning.
For instance the graduation loss of Metz, the Red Devils' All-LKC running
back, would be a severe blow were it not for his explosive backfield mate
from last season.
As good as Metz was, and he was good, Justin Price was
almost as good. Metz rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a senior last year.
But Price nearly matched that with 832 yards rushing and a 6.8 per-carry
average.
Add to that the new guy in the backfield and things could be good.
The "new guy" is Paul Goodrich, who is moving from tight end to Metz' old
spot.
New Red Devils coach, Bryan Sterns, looks at Goodrich as a work horse.
At quarterback where Houchin left after being a two-year starter the Red
Devils will turn to senior Mike Batten.
Batten moved from his defensive back
spot to the quarterback spot because of his ability to run the option.
When Stewart left he left some advice to the incoming coaching staff: "work
with Mikey (Batten) on the option. Make him make the pitches."
That's what the new staff did as it kept the veer as the primary offense.
"We plan to pass a little more this season," Sterns said. "If we hang onto
the ball on the passes, we can pass the ball."
What that means is that the Red Devils' young receiving corps - Tyler
Shartiger, Jason Cunningham, Andrew Cummings and Chad Conley (who replaces
Goodrich at tight end) - must catch the ball since Batten can throw it.
But to throw the ball and run with the ball, a very young offensive line
needs to come through sine there are two - count 'em two - freshmen starting
on the offensive line.
Zac Yeager will start at center with Caleb Hart at guard. The other starters
on the offensive line include Justin Whipkey, Matt Harris and Dustin
Carpenter.
Following tonight's game Calhoun will travel to Ritchie County. The Red
Devils will not play home until the third week of the season when Doddridge
invades.
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