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football night in charlotteWaddell RaidersAs the fourth head coach in fouryears at Waddell, Quentin Hinesknows his task will involve much morethan simply getting his team ready toplay.Instead of searching for a new coachafter every season, Hines wants theWaddell community to know his teamwill be ready to go on Friday nights –consistently.“We want to start anew,” said Hines.“We want to be able to rebuild. As longas we’re consistent with what we’redoing, we’re going to be OK.”Wade Nash/CW photoAlthough he had fewer than 20 players involvedin preseason workouts, first-year Waddell headcoach Quentin Hines believes the Raiders canstart a tradition of winning.Last year, West Mecklenburg rodea stingy defense and a potent passingattack to the state playoffs. But thingslook much different this season on TuckaseegeeRoad.For starters, first-year head coachMark Harman takes over for RockyWhite. Luckily for his players, Harmanis no stranger to the program – he servedas the junior varsity head coach last yearand was an assistant on varsity.The first order of business this yearhas been to foster the kind of environmentthat harbors success.“We’re trying to create a more positiveenvironment,” Harman said. “We’reworking on building each other up as ateam (and embracing the idea) that youcan be a competitive, aggressive footballplayer. But at the same time, you haveto achieve your goals with the guys nextto you.”OFFENSEThe Hawks might be low on experience,but Harman will employ a multifacetedSpread Offense to take advantageof their athleticism at the skill positions.That approach is similar to what theHawks took last year.Harman is looking for a quarterbackto capture the starting position, and thebattle seems to be between dual-threatjunior James Barber and junior pocketpasserDanny Helms. The Hawks will beOFFENSEHines will use a multifaceted Spreadformation this season to capitalize onthe Raiders’ athleticism and to masktheir lack of size. Junior DonteriusDawkins will take over as quarterbackand should give the team a good presencein the pocket.DeAngelo Carter returns to take thebulk of the carries at running back. At170 pounds, the senior offers more cutbackand pass-catching ability than hewas able to display last season, and heshould be the top rusher on the team.To complement Carter, senior widereceivers C.J. Miller and Sedric Little willstretch the field. They’ll be joined byjunior Raheem Young.For the offense to move, Hines willhave to get major contributions fromhis offensive line, which returns littleexperience. Sophomore Shane Richardson,who impressed Hines early incamp, will man the all-important centerposition. Sophomore Jovan Dudley isexpected to fit in at tackle, while freshmanDylan McClure has shown a willingnessto “mix it up,” as Hines puts it.DEFENSESenior Tyler Fleming will set thepace for the unit, which has used theable to run by committee with seniorsDonavus Williams and Reggie Whiteproviding the punch, while junior SantarioLockhart offers a speedy change ofpace.The line undoubtedly will be anchoredby Keith Crowder, a 6-foot-3, 280-poundreturning starter who figures to land atleft tackle.The Hawks will have to replace alltheir starting wide receivers from lastyear. Senior Carl Funny and junior TerrellTisdale both offer field-stretchingspeed and will factor prominently inthe Spread. Lockhart could see time atrallying cry “11 (helmets) to the ball”this summer. Blessed with a good mixof size and speed, Fleming is a prototypicallinebacker in Hines’ 3-5 scheme.Trey Crawford and Josh Clark will manthe end slots, while McClure and Richardsonshould alternate at nose guard.Sophomores Antwan Gaston and RyanHerbin will help fill out the linebackercorps, but Hines still is looking for twoother players.The Raiders return All-Conferencecornerback Sydney Crooms, who willmatch up with their opponents’ bestreceiver. Crooms will be aided by Little.Miller and Young, who will act as ahybrid linebacker/safety, will round outthe secondary.SPECIAL TEAMSSince many of the Raiders will playon both sides of the ball, special teamswill be especially important.“We really need to excel at specialteams,” said Hines. “We need to findthose hidden yards and, hopefully,gain a little bit of leverage. We willtruly treat it as a third of the game.”Fleming returns to punt in 2008,while Young will handle the kickoffs.There will be a battle at camp to determinethe placekicker.Crooms will field the punts and willflanker, while White might double as atight end.“We have to be able to attack the wholewidth of the field,” said the 28-year-oldHarman, who expects to see productionfrom a number of players.“We have to be able to play witheverybody.”DEFENSEDefensively, the Hawks will run a3-5 or a 3-3 stack scheme to capitalizeon their team speed. Junior DeAngeloJohnson returns on the line and will bebacked by a pair of senior linebackers:Trevor Black and Tim Ellerbe. Black ledthe team with 112 tackles last season.If a team has to enter a season withonly three returning defensive starters,senior Darrell Johnson is a good one tohave leading the way. An All-Conferenceselection last year, Johnson has the footballIQ to lead the secondary at free safetybut also possesses the coverage skillsto be a productive cornerback. Seniorcornerback Darius Taylor will step inand play a major role in the secondaryas well.SPECIAL TEAMSHarman still is looking to fill most ofthe special-teams roles. The only positionthat Harman believes might alreadybe filled is kick returner, as Williams’be joined by Little in returning kickoffs.– Aaron GarciaFAST FACTSHead coach: Quentin Hines, first season;16-6 in two seasons in MarylandReturning starters: Offense, 0;defense, 0Conference: Queen City 3A/4A2007 Record: 5-7, 2-42008 SCHEDULEAug. 22 ............. at East MecklenburgAug. 29..............South MecklenburgSept. 5.........................Hunter HussSept. 19.........................ForestviewSept. 26........................ at HardingOct. 3................. Charlotte CatholicOct. 10.........................at OlympicOct. 17.................................BerryOct. 24................. at J.M. RobinsonOct. 31.............. West MecklenburgNov. 7......................... at GaringerWest Mecklenburg HawksWade Nash/CW photoThe youth and enthusiasm of head coachMark Harman, standing, should provebeneficial for the West Mecklenburg program.speed should offer him an edge at theposition. The competition still is openfor kicker, punter and punt returner.– Aaron GarciaFAST FACTSHead coach: Mark Harman, first seasonReturning starters: Offense, 4;defense, 3Conference: Queen City 3A/4A2007 Record: 7-5, 5-12008 SCHEDULEAug. 29......................... ProvidenceSept. 5............. at East MecklenburgSept. 12 .......................at Ardrey KellSept. 19................... Mallard CreekSept. 26....................... at GaringerOct. 3...................................BerryOct. 10.......... at North MecklenburgOct. 17.........................at OlympicOct. 24............... Charlotte CatholicOct. 31........................ at WaddellNov. 7................ Harding University32 Fall 2008 • Charlotte Weekly www.thecharlotteweekly.com