PREP FOOTBALL: Robinson makes change at Spring Creek

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 15, 2018 5:51 AM

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By RUDY COGGINS

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- Second-year head football coach Daniel Robinson decided a change was in order in "The Swamp" this fall.

Cue Fred Kennedy.

The former South Lenoir head coach is well-versed in the Wing-T offense, a misdirection scheme that relies on discipline, speed and deception from the ball carriers.

"We ran some shotgun Wing-T stuff last year out of the spread for a couple of games, until some injuries caught us," Robinson said. "The kids are somewhat familiar with the blocks and schemes, and the transition has been pretty easy.

"Coach Kennedy has done a good job of breaking it down in simple form on offense, so it's easy to grasp."

Timing is crucial.

Unlike the spread package, the Wing-T demands quick handoffs from returning quarterback Landon Smothers and solid blocking from the linemen.

Robinson said the five-man offensive front -- seniors Ahijah Miller, Aubrey Pollock, Joseph O'Hara and Miguel Miranda, and junior Jaylen Garner -- showed immense growth in the offseason. The quintet has the potential to be one of the better lines that have played in a Gators uniform since Robinson joined the program.

"We're really pleased with that right now," Robinson said.

Senior Dominique Morse is a multiple offensive threat at receiver and in the backfield. He'll be joined by classmate Jordan Ammons, who played as a freshman but sat out his sophomore and junior seasons.

Javon Newsome played primarily at cornerback during his sophomore campaign. As a junior, the 5-foot-8, 156-pound speedster battled with a nagging groin injury he suffered against Lejeune in week two.

A one-cut back, Newsome has great vision of the field. He sees the play as it develops, and remains patient until he can find an open seam and green grass.

"He was never 100 percent [last year]," Robinson said. "He's a little bit undersized, but pound for pound, he's one of the strongest kids at the school. He's got strength, speed and is a natural runner. I'm hoping he has a big season."

Robinson hopes not to have too many two-way starters on defense.

He also knows he can't avoid it at a school with the third-lowest enrollment among the state's Class 2-A athletics program.

The staff has gone back to the basics.

"I'm anxious to see how these kids play live because a lot of them have zero defensive experience," Robinson said. "We're trying to put them in the right spot now and hopefully we can make something of it. We're trying to get them to play downhill, not to sit back and wait.

"We've got to be aggressive and attack ... get after the ball quick."

Morse, Miller, Ammons, sophomore TJ Johnson, Israel Graham and junior Lamis Jones are the defensive mainstays. Ammons and Jones are at middle and outside linebacker, respectively. The other four will patrol the secondary.

Ammons played defensive end last season.

"[Jordan] is going to have a little learning curve, but I think he'll be OK," Robinson said. "We're hoping that works out. He's a kid that we don't get here very often ... has size, strength and speed. I think his size and his athleticism will make up for some of the time he lost."

Robinson likes the energy of his 27 players.

He feels there is some stability in the program and that the tension related to last season has disappeared.

Spring Creek launches its 2018 campaign Friday at North Duplin, the reigning eastern 1-A (small school) regional champion. The Gators are 4-13 all-time in season openers, but have split their last four down the middle.

Robinson's team starts East Central 2-A play Sept. 21 at Midway.

"I think now that we've had a full season ... a lot of these kids play three sports so they get to see these schools more now, they know what to expect [and] they know what they have to do to compete," Robinson said.

"It's still obviously going to be challenging with who we've got to play, but I don't think the kids are as intimidated as they were last year."