Fans of Wyoming East football would just as soon forget last year.
After an exciting 28-6 win to open the season against county rival Westside, the Warriors dropped nine straight. Several of the losses came via the lopsided variety.
“I am just going to be completely honest, I felt like the team wasn’t where it should have been last season,” Wyoming East head coach Jimmy Adkins said. “We definitely had a big learning curve last year and had to start a lot of young guys. We started five freshman on varsity last year and we had a lot of bad injuries which forced guys to miss multiple games. It was just a poor year for us in general.”
While many want to forget the past and move on, Adkins wants the sting from last year to hang around a little bit as a reminder.
“This group has really bought in and they understand that we are not going to have another year like that,” Adkins said, firmly. “The environment at the Field House is great and the guys are really gelling. They are really excited for this season.”
The one positive that Adkins sees from the struggles last year, is his team has approached the upcoming season with a totally different mindset.
“Last year we weren’t really competitive during practice. Last year the younger guys practiced like there was no position to win,” Adkins said. “This year they understand that they have to practice like we are about to play on Friday night. Any given second, somebody position can be taken.”
Saturday morning at the Richwood 7-on-7 tournament, the positive energy and team work were on full display.
“I love this group. The freshman and sophomores are really special. I am not taking anything away from the juniors and seniors because they are here to work and they want to compete as a team,” Adkins said. “We are only as good as our weakest link. We are playing as a team now. These guys understand it is going to take everybody making contributions to be successful.”
Along those lines, the main goal for Adkins over the three-week practice period allowed by the WVSSAC is to solidify team chemistry.
“Team chemistry is No. 1 and to play as a team. So far the attitude change is 10 to 1 different from last year. I want us to be able to count on each other,” Adkins said. “We want to go out here and compete and pick each other up. That is No. 1 for me. Obviously we also want to get as much work in as we can with our passing game. It is not going to be a secret, we are going to be throwing the football this year.”
The arm behind the passing game is rising-junior Jackson Danielson who missed a few games last year with a broken hand.
While Danielson was dropping dimes right and left Saturday, Adkins has been impressed by more than just his throwing skills.
“Jackson does a good job, but where he has impressed me so far has been defensively,” Adkins said. “He has really picked his game up defensively and he will be playing at strong safety. He will have to be on the field both ways for us.”
Danielson will have several targets at his disposal, but Adkins has seen some good work out of a newcomer that has him excited in the preseason.
“Cole Laxton is just a freshman, but he has shown over this last three weeks that he can be a threat for us. We have played two games and he has scored seven of our touchdowns,” Adkins said. He is going to be tough as long as he stays healthy. He stays in the weight room and has already put on about 15 pounds since January. I expect a big year from him.”
Adding to the excitement for Adkins has been the addition of former Richwood head coach Gary Roach to his coaching staff this season.
“Bringing in Gary was a big move for us. We have always (talked) back and forth about it the last few years. We are good buddies and we played against each other in high school and college,” Adkins said. “I needed somebody to come in and revamp this defense and take it over. That will let me focus more on what I need to do. It feels good to have him come in and I have all the faith in the world in him. The kids are excited to have him.”
Coming off a 1-9 campaign, few teams are likely to see Wyoming East as a threat this year. Adkins does not see it that way.
“I truly believe if we stay healthy, we will shock some people. I know everybody will look at last year, but we are a different team,” Adkins said. “Other coaches have told me that I would know when the culture is changing. They said I would be able to feel it. The culture at the War Zone is on the rise and we are ready to get back to what Wyoming East does, and that is win football games.”
