By Staff
Thank you for not noticing
By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
PLYMOUTH — They don’t get to carry the ball into the end zone, never get a chance to spike it after a jaw-dropping play, and the truth is unless they mess up on the field they hardly ever get noticed.
It may be hard to believe that a group of guys weighing an average of nearly 260 pounds a piece can get overlooked, but it happens every Friday night — and that’s good thing.
If the fans aren’t zeroed in on the line of scrimmage that means they are watching Vikings’ running backs Andre Mitchell rip off one of his highlight reel runs, or Tobias Clagon take a hand off and gallop towards the end zone. Judging by the success the of the Plymouth backs, they only people watching the Vikings’ linemen may be college scouts.
So far this season William Hunt (C), Blake Bryant (T), Kendrick Norman (T), Anthony Jones (G), Rasheen Whitley (G) and Damien Davis (TE) have paved the way for Mitchell and Clagon to rush for over 1,500 yards and 20 TDs a piece, not to mention the roughly 700 yards that blocking back Dwayne Brooks has accounted for.
While each linemen posses tremendous strength and athletic ability, their real strength lies in the unit’s ability to play cohesive football. The core of the Vikings’ offensive line are all seniors, and having played along side each other for so long has paid off.
Whitley agreed with his coach, and said the line takes pride in having two 1,000 yard rushers in its backfield.
The Vikings’ unblemished 14-0 record reflects, as Whitley said, that Plymouth is “doing it,” and for this veteran group, that accomplishment could not be sweeter.
The glue that holds the line together is center William (K.J.) Hunt. The Plymouth snapper is blessed with size, strength and solid footwork, and is the one Cody relies on to call out blocking assignments.
Tackle Blake Bryant said that Hunt sets a good example for his teammates.
Hunt said the key to the unit’s success is their experience. By now every team knows what to expect from the Vikings: a jet sweep here, cross buck there, the occasional counter mixed in with some hand offs to Brooks up the middle, but despite stacking the line of scrimmage rival teams have not been able to stop it.
Cody said the unit has made tremendous strides in its execution, which allows the running game to reach its peak.
Another factor into the line’s success is its selflessness, each player wants to make that big block that springs the running backs for that big score.
For example take tight end Damien Davis. In most systems the tight end will get a few receptions and TDs a year, but in Cody’s double-wing offense quarterback Dasheen Perry averages very few passing attempts, and when he does look to toss the rock his eyes wander towards the team’s main deep threat Angelo Sharpless.
However, Davis could care less about his lack of touches.
The Vikings’ linemen are going to have to continue their stellar season if they want to get past Roanoke and into the state finals. Norman, a senior tackle said he and his teammates have taking their practice to the next level to prepare for the ’Skins.
When asked if they had any predictions about the out come of Friday’s game, the group offered no forecasts on who would win or lose, but proved their cohesiveness extends past the sidelines as they said in unison, “we win together, we lose together.”
Higgs a leader for Redskins
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
ROBERSONVILLE — Alonza Higgs has only been playing football for two years, but he quickly emerged as a leader for the Roanoke Redskins.
The fleet-footed and strong-armed quarterback of the Redskins (10-4) will look to lead his team to an upset victory over undefeated Plymouth (14-0) in Friday’s NCHSAA Class 1-A East Regional championship game.
The Redskins are just one of four teams remaining in the 1-A ranks. Higgs admitted that, at the beginning of the season, he was skeptical the Redskins would get to this point.
They’ve done so with just 24 players on the roster. That small band of players has knocked off each team by six points in the first three rounds of the playoffs — 52-46 over Northside, 26-20 in overtime over Williamston and 24-18 over Perquimans.
Higgs, who said his main strength is bringing leadership to the team, can use his arm or feet to hurt opponents. While Higgs can break off a long run, much like backfield teammates Savion Hudson and Lakendrick Baker, the senior is also capable of putting the ball in the perfect spot for his receivers.
Higgs completed 4-of-5 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in last week’s win over Perquimans. That included a 48-yard beauty to Tyreck Cooper that went for a score.
Higgs added 61 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Roanoke head coach Brian Paschal is comfortable with Higgs running the show.
Speaking of tough, Higgs knows playing at Plymouth for the East Regional championship will be a challenge. The Vikings took a 44-14 win over the Redskins during the regular season.
Higgs isn’t worried about what kind of numbers he’ll put up against a stingy Plymouth defense. Instead, he’s looking to lead his team into next week’s state championship game any way possible.