inside: - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

football night in charlotteHarding University HawksFirst-year Harding University coachJohmar Barrington winces a little whenhe tells a reporter that his team’s 2007record was 8-4.In actuality, only six of those winscame on the field after both SouthMecklenburg and West Charlotte hadto forfeit their seasons because ofeligibility issues. That said, the Hawksstill made it to the playoffs, and seniorquarterback Walt Aikens thinks thatsimply was a stepping stone.“I really think we can win our(Queen City 3A/4A) conference,” saidAikens.Added offensive tackle MarkusLawrence: “We’ve seen it’s possible.”Does Barrington expect any inflatedegos based on a misleading record?“Not with this team,” the coach saidwith a smile.OFFENSEAikens returns as one of the mostgifted athletes in the city, and heshould put up major numbers, throughthe air and on the ground. Running outof multiple sets, the Hawks often willemploy a power-I, and bruising seniorfullback Jordan Patterson will clear apath for tailbacks Marquette Brownand L.C. McCray.Patterson won’t have to open holesFirst-year Harding University coach JohmarBarrington, front, hopes to get strong play fromtalented players Walt Aikens, left, and MarkusLawrence. Wade Nash/CW photoby himself as the Hawks returnperhaps the best lineman in the cityin the highly recruited Lawrence.Atlantic Coast Conference programDuke University is among the DivisionI schools to offer Lawrence a scholarship.Other than Lawrence, however,the offensive line is inexperienced.“(Lawrence) will become almost acoach by extension when it comes tothe linemen,” said Barrington of thefour-year varsity player.Lawrence will have help, however,at the tight end spot from senior ChrisBridges.The Hawks’ weak spot, at leastearly in preseason camp, was the widereceiver position, where Barringtonsaid he has a “potpourri” of playersvying for the starting nods. But he isunsure which players will step up.DEFENSEOn the other side, the Hawks returnsix starters from last year, and almostevery position includes an experiencedsenior. Barrington will switch between5-2 and 4-3 defensive sets, which willneed strong contributions from seniorlineman Reon Jones and end AmazeLusompa. Barrington said there are ahandful of players looking to step intothe other two or three spots.Marcel Blair returns to start at linebackeras a senior and will be regularlyjoined by Matt Moore.The secondary will feature a host ofnew starters from top to bottom, saidBarrington. Seven or eight players arein the mix for the four spots.“We’re working on that secondary,”said Barrington. “It’s not as solidifiedas the other spots.”SPECIAL TEAMSKevin Fair will have to shoulder theload this season as the punter andkicker, although Barrington notedFair will need to see significant repetitionsin practice to be as effective asthe Hawks will need. McCray andBrown will resume their kickoff returnresponsibilities, with McCray fieldingthe punts.— Aaron GarciaFAST FACTSHead coach: Johmar Barrington, firstseasonReturning starters: Offense, 5;defense, 6Conference: Queen City 3A/4A2007 record: 8-4, 4-22008 SCHEDULEAug. 22..............................WaddellAug. 29..................... West CharlotteSept. 5................. West MecklenburgSept. 12.........................at GaringerSept. 26...............South MecklenburgOct. 3.............................Ardrey KellOct. 10.........................WeddingtonOct. 17........................... .....at ButlerOct. 24........................... Myers ParkOct. 31................... at IndependenceNov. 7........................ at ProvidenceHickory Grove LionsConsidering his name, it’s easy toassume Hickory Grove Baptist’s DanDevine was predestined to becomea football coach. After all, when youshare a name with the man whocoached the University of Notre Dameand the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, whatelse do you do?“Absolutely!” Hickory Grove’sfirst-year mentor said with a laugh.“Some years ago, my dad bought DanDevine’s book. Then I saw that he wasthe bad guy in (the movie) ‘Rudy,’ sothat was tough.“But reading his biography, he was agood coach. That’s what I want to be.I love having this name.”While no one is expecting the31-year-old Devine to instantly winFirst-yearcoach DanDevinelooks tomake aname forhimself andhis teamat HickoryGrove.Wade Nash/CW photochampionships for a team still in itsinfancy as a varsity program, the newcoach hopes it doesn’t take too long.Born in the Bronx, N.Y., Devine spentfour seasons as offensive line coach atHopewell before landing the HickoryGrove job. He helped coach Chris Rustdevelop a winner in Huntersville, andhe doesn’t believe it’s impossible withthe Lions.“I look forward to the challenge,”said Devine, who played along theoffensive line at Chowan Universityin Murfreesboro, N.C., “I’ve set goalsfor myself and the team. I’m definitelyliving the dream.”OFFENSEDevine will call the offensive plays,employing the rugged Veer Offense outof the power-I – a drastic change fromthe Lions’ former Spread attack.There’s plenty of talent on offense,starting with senior quarterback DaynePickett, a three-year starter. Juniorrunning back Josh Lewis will “dot theI” in the offense, and senior fullbackColin Pollinger, a Charlotte Christiantransfer, will lead the way.Landon Adams is a superb athleteexpected to lead the receiving corps.He’ll be joined by fellow seniorsPatrick Baker and Seth Phipps.Leaders on the offensive line arejunior guard Ethan Booksh, juniortackle Jordan Hughes and senior tightends C.J. Phipps and Chase Cox.DEFENSEThe Lions will run a base 3-5designed to maximize their athleticability – and defensive coordinatorTodd Alexander has lots of it at hisdisposal.Adams is the team’s leading returningtackler, and (the) senior strong safetyalso makes big plays. Hughes was theteam’s third-leading tackler last year.SPECIAL TEAMSBy now, it’s clear: Adams rarelycomes off the field. He is the Lions’punter and also handles returnswith Marcus Burton. Steven Beard,Chase Cox and Addison Haddad arecompeting for placekicking duties.— C. Jemal HortonFAST FACTSHead coach: Dan Devine,first seasonReturning starters:Offense, 7; defense, 8Conference: Carolina Piedmont 2A/3A2007 record: 4-7, 2-42008 SCHEDULEAug. 22................. at Wake ChristianAug. 29..................... Derita ChristianSept. 5............... N. Raleigh ChristianSept. 12............... at Asheville SchoolSept. 19...............SouthLake ChristianSept. 26..............Forsyth Country DayOct. 3......................at First AssemblyOct. 10............ .at Northside ChristianOct. 24........................ Christ SchoolOct. 31............Westminster Catawbawww.thecharlotteweekly.comFall 2008 • Charlottte Weekly17