CHOCOWINITY — Southside made the 1-A eastern-regional championship for the second year in a row in 2016. Again, though, the Seahawks were upended by Plymouth in a one-possession loss.

All programs lost talented players each season. The Seahawks are no exception, but they’ve done well to develop the players they have to continue building a winning tradition.

Expect a similar look, offensively and defensively, with some different faces. There will be some tweaks. Raw skill may force Southside to spread the ball through the air more.

That’s the direction coach Jeff Carrow thinks he’ll take based on the spring. Here’s what he had to say about getting his first taste of football ahead of the 2017 season.

 

What the turnout was like:

“We’ve had really good numbers. It’s probably been the best I’ve had in four or five years for spring workouts. Great effort and a lot of new faces. Some guys that didn’t play last year have showed up and come out. We’ve had the majority of our veterans out there. The skill guys have worked.”

How the skill players have stood out:

“Will Warren has done well throwing the ball. We’ve done a lot of seven-on-seven the past few days with skill guys. I think that with a little more talent this year, we’re going to have to throw the ball. We’ve got to start preparing for that. We’re not going to change what we do … but I think we’ll have another option to throw the ball a little more.

“Demetrius Ebron had the best hands for us last year. Cody Modlin and all of our split ends, and running back will be a huge competition for us this year. Brandon Sullivan and Trajan Rhome split time at fullback last year. Both have decent hands, especially Brandon for a bigger guy. Another thing we’re evaluating … is who can block. Guys that can block are guys that are going to play.”

How the team’s mentality helps neutralize player turnover:

“Really, it’s next man up. Losing guys like Hunter (Sparks), Joe Myers and Zikajah Crawford, it’s hard to replace guys every year. But what we do, being able to highlight a different back each night depending on what they do, we’ve been blessed that new guys have stepped up every year.”

Why seeing the fruits of their labor helps carry on the Seahawks’ winning tradition:

“Three, four years ago, we were determined to go ahead, set a tone, and start building tradition back to where it should be. Each class has added something, a different stepping stone. These guys know … the foundation has been laid for them. It’s their job to continue that on. It’s their job to be the next guy up and keep this thing going in the right direction.”

What the team’s key needs are at this point:

“Offensive line, we’ve got some spots to fill. It’s very much like last year. We’re seeing who is going to step up where, but I like what I see so far out of them. I think some of our veteran guys like Teddy Minor — he’s worked on leadership skills in the offseason. Aiden Kelley, too.”

What he wants to see come out of the spring:

“I just want the kids to have fun. This time of the year, there’s burnout. At a small, 1-A school, a lot of them are three-sport athletes. They are tired. The kids get burnt out. It’s stressful on them. I think, as coaches, sometimes we forget that. … Just give the kids a little taste of it, get them out there and get them excited, but I want them hungry and ready for the summer.”