2008

ROBBIE ROBERTSON~E NEWTON RECORD

The 2008 East Central Community College football team tiesburg, are listed among top offensive returnees. Courtney Shelton (5-10 220) of

235) of Tuscaloosa County and Vonzell Jackson (6-3. 240) of Aliceville (Ala.) High School; linebackers. Harvey BrO\m (5- 10, 235) of Neshoba Central, Randy Carter (6-1, 198) of Quit– man and AnthonyMcDonald (5- 11, 234) of 71$t High School, Fayetteville. N.C.; and defensive back, Bruce Williams (6-4, 190) of Ridgeland. Sophomore Jason Fairley (5-11, 285) of Collins and freshman James Brown (6-4, 302) of Tuscaloosa Central are the top contenders at the defen– sive tackle positions. "Our defensive front is real– ly doing well," Cheatham said. "We were kind of worried when (nose guard) Henry Scott (of Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, OK) left the team for disciplinary reasons, but we've got two freshmen - Jeremy Johnson (6-2, 280) of Lake and Percy Callaway (6-3, 308) of Central Lafourche. La.. who are both playing well." Johnson is a three-time state champion power lifter. "He's unbelievably strong," Cheatham noted. He also rec– ognized McDonald for his strength. ''Anthony only weighs 230, but can bench press 400 pounds!" Cheatham also praised for Lewis and Jackson, both of whom are attracting a lot of

Tanksley (6-3, 186) of Meridian will also see playing time at safefy, ''We've got a lot more speed on defense this year," Cheatham added. ''We may not be as big up front but we will be faster, stronger and quick– er." Cheatham said he is "very pleased" with the kicking game. Returnee Derek Cren– shaw (6-2, 185) of Neshoba Central will handle kicking and punting duties. Freshman Will McBeth of Leake Acade– my is the center and long snap– per. Sophomore Dustin Alley (6', 196) of Union Grove High School, McDonough, Ga., will be the holder for extra points and field goals. Langston, Estelle, May and Ricks will return punts and kickoffs. Serving as Cheatham's assistants are James Miller, assistant head coach and defensive coordinator; Brian Anderson. offensive coordina– tor; Fred Lyons, defensive line coach; Kyle Watson, offensive line coach and special teams coordinator; and Derek Pouncey, wide receivers coach. "We've got a great group of guys on staff," Cheatham stat– ed. "We enjoy working togeth– er every day."

attention from several Divi– sion 1 programs. ·'They're great football play– ers and both have a lot of potential to compete at the next level,·· he stated. Cheatham said he is also pleased with the entire line– backer corps, which includes freshmen Guy Holden (5-11, 200) of Newton County, Quadarius Wallace (5-11, 193) of Union, Chris Watson (6', 206) of West Lauderdale and Brad Ellis (5-11, 235) of Forest. In the secondary, sophomore Maurice Langston {5-10, 180) of Northeast Lauderdale and freshman Ca e Estelle 6-10, 195) will handle cornerback duties. Cheatham said Langston will also see action at rUIUling back. Serving as back-ups at cornerback are freshmen Ken Robinson (6', 180) of Neshoba Central, who participated in spring drills, and Zerrick Houston (6'. 175) of Philadelphia. Also expected to see action at cornerback is Demario Eichelberger (6-1. 165) of Louisville. The two safeties are returnees Jarvis Wilson (6-1, 195) of Central Lafourche and Bruce Williams (6-4. 190) of Ridgeland. Sophomores Clint Coleman (6-2, 202) of Louisville and Eiljah

Tuscaloosa is regarded as the top returning rUIUling back, but Cheatham said several freshmen are also battling for backfield positions, including Derrick Cade (5-7, 210) of Tuscaloosa Central, Duke Hudnall (5-11, 200) from New– on County and Kendrick Grif– in (6', 182) of Philadelphia. Top returnees on the offen– ;ive line include Kieandre Jones (6-4, 345) of Hillcrest -Iigh School, Tuscaloosa; Justin Moore (6-3, 265) of ...eake Academy, Quinton Scott 6-2, 340) of DeSoto Central; ~obert Gaskin (6-1, 280) of /Vest Point and Matthew .ewis (6-1. 270) of Forrest ~ounty AHS. ''All five linemen played a ;ood bit last year, so we feel ,ood about their experience oinb into this year,· 'heatham said. "We've hanged the total complexity ,f the offense - from a power ootball team to a spread– inesse team- but our linemen 1ave adjusted well to the :hange. I really think the new ,cheme fits them a little bet– er." Defensively, top returnees nclude ends, Josh Lewis (6-5,