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"I did not expect this (promo- 182) of Philadelphia. tion) to happen.... I just wanted Top returnees on the offensive to be an assistant coach, finish line include Kieandre Jones (6-4, out my time, have fun and enjoy 345) of Hillcrest High School, oaching," Cheatham stated. Tuscaloosa; Justin Moore (6-3, We've had a lot to learn in a 265) of Leake Academy, Quinton hort period of time and I cer- Scott (6-2, 340) of DeSoto Cen– ainly want to thank Coach tral; Robert Gaskin (6-1, 280) of Underwood for his help in the West Point and Matthew Lewis transition. I learned a lot from (6-1, 270) of Forrest County fum." AHS. The Waniors began fall work- ''All five linemen played a good outs in shorts on Wednesday, bit last year, so we feel good 1\ugust 6 and put on the pads for about their experience going into the fust timE: the following Sat- this year," Cheatham said. urday. Eighty-one players origi- "We've changed the total com– nally competed for the 63-man plexity of the offense - from a roster. _nower football team to a soread: _ finesse team- but our linemen 280} ofLake and Percy Callaway have adjusted well to the (6-3, 308) of Central Lafourche, change. I really think the new La., who are both playing well." scheme fits them a little better." Johnson is a three-time state Defensively, top returnees champion power lifter. "He's include ends, Josh Lewis (6-5, unbelievably strong," Cheatham 235) of Tuscaloosa County and noted. He also recognized Vonzell Jackson (6-3, 240) of McDonald for his strength. Aliceville (Ala.) High School; "Anthony only weighs 230, but linebackers, Harvey Brown (5- can bench press 400 pounds!" 10, 235) of Neshoba Central, Cheatham also praised for Randy Carter (6-1, 198) of Quit- Lewis and Jackson, both of man and Anthony McDonald (5- whom are attracting a lot of 11, 234) of 71st High School, attention from several Division 1 Fayetteville, N.C.; and defensive programs. back, Bruce Williams (6-4, 190) "They're great football players of Ridgeland. Sophomore Jason and both have a lot of potential Fairley (5-11, 285) of Collins and to compete at the next level," he freshman James Brown (6-4, stated. 302) of Tuscaloosa Central are Cheatham said he is also the top contenders at the defen- pleased with the entire line– sive tackle positions. backer corps, which includes "Our defensive front is really freshmen Guy Holden (5-11j doing well," Cheatham said. ''We 200) ofNewton County, Quadar– were kind ofworried when (nose ius Wallace (5-11, 193) of Union: guard) Henry Scott (of Will Chris Watson (6', 206) of West Rogers High School in Tulsa, Lauderdale and Brad Ellis (5-11 OK) left the team for discipli- 235) of Forest. nary reasons, but we've got two In the secondary, sophomorE freshmen- Jeremy Johnson (6-2, Mal!Iice Langston (5-10, 180) o; Northeast Lauderdale and fresh- Cheatham said he is "ver; man Caylem Estelle (5-10, 195) pleased" with the kicking gamE will handle cornerback duties. Returnee Derek Crenshaw (6-~ Cheatham said Langston will 185) of Neshoba Central wi: also see action at running back. handle kicking and pun~ Serving as back-ups at comer- duties. Freshman Will McBeth< back are freshmen Ken Robin- Leake Academy is the center an son (6', 180) ofNeshoba Central, long snapper. Sophomore Dust~ who participated in spring drills, Alley (6', 196) of Union Grov and Zerrick Houston (6', 175) of High School, McDonough, G~ Philadelphia. Also expected to will be the holder for extr see action at cornerback is points and field goals. Demario Eichelberger (6-1, 165) Langston, Estelle, May aq ofLouisville. Ricks will return punts and kid The two safeties are returnees offs. Jarvis Wilson (6-1, 195) of Cen- Serving as Cheatham's ass· tral Lafourche and Bruce tants are James Miller, assistaJ Williams (6-4, 190) ofRidgeland. head coach and defensive coor Sophomores Clint Coleman (6-2, nator; Brian Anderson, offem.i 202) of Louisville and Eiljah coordinator; Fred Lyons, deti Tanksley (6-3, 186) of Meridian sive line coach; Kyle Wats will also see playing time at safe- offensive line coach and speci .c.. toam~ rnorninAtor;. and Der•

"Practices have gone very well," Cheatham said. "Our guys are in decent shape and are physically a better football team than last year. We also seem to be a lot stronger." This year's squad is also a little less experienced. Twenty-three lettermen are gone from ·2007 and only 14 letter-winners return. Several freshmen are listed as starters. "We'll probably have three freshmen that will start....all are very good players and a cou– ple of them were here for spring workouts," said Cheatham. One such freshman is Emman– ual Taylor, a product of Early County High School in Blakely, Ga., who is projected to be the starting quarterback. The 6', 170-pound signal caller was selected JAC (spell out) Player of the Year in addition to receiving All-State and All-Star honors. Taylor had touchdown runs of 65 and 46 yards and connected on 38- and 22- yard passes for scores in the spring game. Cheatham said Taylor "is doing really well. He's got a good arm, runs well and has good knowl– edge of the game." Taylor's expertise will be put to use in directing the Warriors' new "spread attack" offense. ''We're going to be a wide-open offense," Cheatham stated, "but that does not mean that we will throw the ball all the time. We will have a balanced attack and our passing game will feature a lot of short passes, such as screens and slant patterns. We want to get the ball out quick to our receivers and let them make something happen. The spread offense will also help set up our running game." Wide receivers, Kendrick May (5-10, 165) of'l'uscaloosa County (Ala.) High School and Donovan Tate (6-2, 195) of Hattiesburg, are listed among top offensive returnees. Courtney Shelton (5- 10, 220) of'l'uscaloosa is regard– ed as the top returning running back., but Cheatham said several freshmen are also battling for backfield positions, including Derrick Cade (5-7, 210) of Tuscaloosa CentrAl. Duke Hud-

From press reports

'in baby win I" t phrase is mostly attrib– to Al Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders. e same slogan can be applied e 2008 East Central Com– ity College football squad. first-year head coach Steve tham said winning "on the n is just part ofthe equation. e want our players to not be winners on the score– d but also in the classroom in everyday life," said the 30- coaching veteran. "That's we have adopted as this s slogan, 'Winning Is AnAll– -Time Thinp' and we are ssing that fact to our play- eatham, who took over the ior football program at mid– following the resignation of former boss, Terry Under– d, said "winning games" is result of a "winning atti- , you can be a winner in all do, e:,pecially when no one is ·ng," Cheatham explained, good things will be the It." eatham and his squad will e their fust opportunity at ing" a football game when Warriors tra\ el to Coahoma munity College on Thurs- •August 28. Kickoff is set for .m. on the Clarksdale cam- ast Central defeated the ers 32-21 to conclude the iors' 3-6 campaign in 2007. e Coahoma squad is coached former Warrior assistant man Horton. a former foot– standout at the University Southern Mississippi and ·e High School. heatham, a former high ool head coach, said he is cited but a little nervous" ut leading a college football gram for the first time. He es have experience on the col- e level, having served as a duate assistant at Clemson 'versity and most recently as ector offootball operations for ach David Cutcliff at the Uni– rSitY. of.Mississippi.