KICKOFF COUNTDOWN: Edgewood adjusts offensive approach with new personel
Edgewood running back Gabe LeMaster may become a bigger part of the offensive picture after several key players gradutated from last year’s squad. (Tim Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
Edgewood Academy’s high-octane, strike-quick offense has scored scored 795 points, or 23.4 points per game through three seasons under Chad Michael.
But, talented quarterback Austin Champion plus a wealth of receivers are gone leading to the idea that Edgewood Academy may run the ball a little more in 2023.
“We’re going to be a little different,” Michael said. “The last couple of years, we’ve thrown the ball around a little bit, allowed him to be who he is. We’re a little bigger up front, we’ve got bigger backs now. Some guys have put some weight on and we’re going to be able to line up and run the ball more than in the past.”
“It’s going to be a lot different,” he said. “We’ve got new people in every position, lost a lot of seniors that carried our team. We do have a lot of juniors from last year that are coming up as seniors and will carry us. We’re just going to pick up where we left off. It definitely gives (the offensive line) more responsibility but I have confidence in our team. I definitely expect a lot out of us.”
Ethan Evans will take over as quarterback and will have a stable of running backs that include Brody Whitt, Brock Whitt, Gabe LeMaster and Parker Shaw.
“The past few years, we’ve had pretty much the same playbook,” LeMaster said. “I knew all the plays because we had pretty much run them the year before. This year, we’re a little different with a new playbook. A lot deeper passes. There’s a lot of inexperience, younger kids.
“Ethan hasn’t played much because it’s his first year back. But he’s been looking better over the summer with 7-on-7’s and practice. He looks like he’s getting more comfortable back there.”
Last year, the Wildcats found different ways to get LeMaster the ball and the senior will play an even larger role this fall.
“We move him around a lot, just trying to find different ways to get him the ball,” Michael said. “He’s our most dynamic guy.”
Defensively, five starters return, including LeMaster and Reeves. At times, particularly against athletic teams, the Wildcats had trouble slowing down opponents.
“It’s about getting the right pieces together,” Michael said. “Some times, it just takes a little longer. We started the season 1-3 and finished 4-2 and went to the semifinals, so it just took a little time to get the right pieces in the right spots.
“Our schedule’s really tough. Last year, we played all three state champions. We start off with two really good AAA teams. In our region, they’re the one you’ve got to knock off to be the region champion. Then you’ve got Macon East, Hooper and Abbeville and I think we’ve got a good shot to battle for that one-two spot at the end of the year.”
LeMaster said he believes the Wildcats will be better on defense this year and that it simply comes don to better discipline on that side of the ball.
“It’s reading your keys, trusting your eyes,” he said. “Read your guy and don’t try to be a super hero and doing everyone else’s job because then you start failing on your job. Trust everyone else to do their job.”
Last year, the Wildcats reached the Class AA semifinals for the second time in three years.
“Everyone seems to be getting better every week, learning the plays,” LeMaster said. “Everyone seems to be doing their job in the weight room. I think we have a good shot to have a good run in the playoffs if we keep getting better every week and learning from our mistakes.”