Despite a winning record (6-4) in 2008, after three straight years of averaging less than two victories a year, second-year head coach Perry Swindall says the work is far from finished.
“Last year we could have been 8-2 as easily as we were 6-4,” he said. “We were in two ballgames we probably should have won. Of course, we won a couple we probably should have lost too, but we were very pleased with our accomplishments from last year.
“But last year was a building block and a stepping stone for what we hope is to come. It was a great first year for us here, now it’s time to build on that.”
The town of LaFayette has always loved its football, but last year’s season — the first winning season for the Ramblers since 2003 — has re-energized the south Walker County community.
“There’s a solid base of people that support all athletics here at LaFayette, not just football, and it was here when we got here,” Swindall said. “But I think we do have an even more renewed interest now. I think the parents are happy that we’re pushing the kids, not just to be better football players, but to be better people and to accomplish more in their lives than just football.”
Numbers are up significantly in the program as over 80 players will suit up for LaFayette this fall, not including freshmen.
The roster size isn’t the only thing on the rise. Expectations are as high for the 2009 Ramblers as they have been in a long time, and the team has specific goals in mind for the new season.
“We’re optimistic that we can compete (for a region title) because we have a lot of good players back,” Swindall added. “Of course, injuries can play a factor in where you are at the end of the year, but if our kids continue to improve, we’ll have a chance to be a solid football team at the end of the year and maybe a playoff contender. Our goals are to have a winning record and make the playoffs. We have to have some luck and some things have to happen, but I think it’s achievable.”
The offense, which averaged 32 points per game last fall, and put up 50 or more three times, might just be even better this time around.
Junior quarterback Josh Morgan achieved All-State status in just his first year under center, and Swindall believes an extra year’s seasoning can only help Morgan improve on his 2,050 yards and 23 touchdown passes from a year ago.
“I think he’s the best in region,” Swindall said. “He’s an accurate passer, and he was really just in a learning situation as a sophomore. He did probably as well as could do.”
Morgan will be backed up by senior C.J. Cantrell, who will help out at receiver, while sophomores Caine Elliott and Drew Pence are working hard to learn the position.
Morgan will also have his favorite receiver back in Division I prospect Dimitri Miles.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior had over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 17 scores last year, and has offers from such schools as Central Florida, Louisville, Chattanooga, MTSU, Memphis and Arkansas State.
In addition to Miles and Cantell, Morgan will have other weapons in the passing game. Seniors Tyler Burse and Bowe Coffman are also starting to catch the eyes of recruiters while fellow seniors Lance Bradley, Brett Butler, and Cody Dennison will see plenty of balls thrown their way.
Throw in backups such as juniors Nathan Brown, Isaac Holder and Sam Tatum, and sophomore Jordan Teems, and it’s easy to see why LaFayette is considered to have the deepest corps of receivers in all of Region 6-AAA.
But opposing defenses that focus solely on the Ramblers’ passing game risk getting burned by their running game.
The backfield will be a solid mix of power and speed with senior Andre Bagley and sophomore Devarus Porter at the halfback spot while bruising seniors Blake Davenport and Jakeem Ware will provide the muscle at fullback.
Sophomores Gordan Brown, Jason Errera, Logan Hise and Seth Kight will provide extra depth of the bench.
The offensive line will miss some key starters from last year, but have players with potential.
Senior Eric Reese is a returning starter at left tackle and the most experienced linemen on the roster while senior Caleb Bradley will line up next to Reese at guard.
Sophomore Joseph Swindall will take over at center where older brother Evan, a University of Mississippi signee, left off. Senior Dakota Lackey will man the right tackle spot while seniors Andy Wallin and Tyler Cooper are vying for the starting right guard position.
“They are the key to our offense,” Swindall said of his line, which averages 6-foot tall and around 265 pounds per man. “You can only run the ball if your offensive line can come together and play.
"We’ve got a little experience there, but those guys will have to be the hardest workers on the team if we are to move the ball offensively.”
Swindall and defensive coordinator Tim Gillespie are also excited about the potential on defense.
The front four is perhaps the most improved position on the team with senior Jacob Ellis and junior Kenneth Sartin on the interior and juniors Jacob Gill and Tyler Edgeman on the ends.
Add seniors Brandon Morgan, Matt Nevins, Austin Cook and Jonathan Willis, and sophomores Nick Moore and Cole Germaine, and the Ramblers now have solid depth at the position.
“We want to be a pressure defense and that’s our philosophy,” Gillespie said. “We’ve got some returning athletes that are bigger, stronger and faster now than they were last year, and we’re excited about our newcomers, especially on the line. Where we averaged about 215 pounds across the line last year, we’re up to about 240 this time.”
The linebackers are as good as any set in the region.
Senior Ben Gillespie and junior Koran Dyer were among the Tri-State area leaders in several categories last fall.
Seniors Justin Henry and Cameron Kight and sophomore Sheldon Covington will give LaFayette an excellent rotation.
The secondary is led by three-year starting senior Tripp White at safety while sophomore Trea Covington will likely line up on the other side.
Seniors Sidney Southern and Mackie Berry have speed at the corners while more blazing speed can come off the bench with senior Allen Smeed and sophomores Porter, Sam Clayton, Demarcus Simpson and Teddy Apolstol.
Special teams are also in good hands, make that good feet, with senior Tony Garcia, a soccer standout who is starting to make a name for himself as a football player.
Swindall says that earning a playoff spot will be no easy feat, but he feels that the lessons learned last year will play huge dividends this fall, if his team can avoid major injuries.
“The key is injuries and avoiding them,” he said. “We can't lose the wrong guys at the wrong time.
"But the experience from last year and the talent were developing will help us. We just have to get better as a football team.”
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