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OFFENSE
The Cougars return eight of 11 starters on offense, with many of those players at skill positions. Although there are some areas that need polishing, Averett's offense should continue to shine as the Cougars look to return to the top of the USA South Conference. Here is a breakdown of each offensive position:
Quarterback
Junior Kirkland Brown returns after playing all 10 games in 2011. Brown, who started nearly every game, completed 114 of his 217 passes for 1,055 yards and seven touchdowns. He finished with an average of 105.5 passing yards per game. However, Brown will look to lower his interception total of 14 after throwing a mere two picks as a freshman in 2010.
“I think the biggest key from him going into this season is being able to manage the game and put us in a position to be successful,” Averett Football Coach Mike Dunlevy said. “I think that first starts with the turnovers. He's aware of that. … He brings that experience of knowing that 'I don't have to force everything,' especially with the running game that we think we're going to have.”
Brown is the only returning quarterback on the roster, but the Cougars brought in several freshmen to add depth. Of those, Martin Smith will begin the season as Brown's backup.
Running back
The Cougars' running attack may be its biggest strength. Averett returns one half of its dynamic duo at running back from a season ago in sophomore Ke'Von White. Last season as a freshman, White rushed for 820 net yards and seven touchdowns on 173 carries. White showed how dominant he could be, especially in a 32-carry, 217-yard performance in a win over Methodist University. White, who was named as one of this year's team captains, earned USA South All-Conference Second Team honors in 2011.
The Cougars are also high on freshmen Ray Brown and Nate Driver, as well as sophomore Ira Hill and several other newcomers. Averett also returns running back Stephen Clark, who saw some time in the backfield but played primarily on special teams (he blocked two kicks). Clark had 19 carries for 75 net yards.
“The backfield is where we feel strong at,” Dunlevy said. 'Obviously Ke'Von has been our stable … but we're two-, three-, four-deep at tailback. All of those guys can make plays.”
Averett will need to find a replacement for departed senior fullback Horace Stanback, who was a USA South All-Conference Honorable Mention selection in 2011. The Cougars hope to fill his void with Terence Brandon, who saw some playing time as a freshman, which was limited due to injury. Freshman Ibrahim Kargbo will also see time at fullback.
Wide receiver
Averett's ability to spread the ball around in 2011 didn't allow a go-to wide receiver to emerge (eight different players caught touchdowns, while no player had more than two touchdowns). Sophomore Anthony Terry, who had a solid freshman campaign, will be asked to step up. Terry caught 20 passes for a team-high 233 yards and two touchdowns, including a 76-yard score against Maryville College. Averett also returns seniors Justin Gillespie and Owen Hayden, a team captain this season. Hayden caught a team-high 26 passes for 219 yards and one touchdown.
The coaching staff also feels strongly about sophomore August Jones, who hasn't played since 2010, as well as freshman Brendan Hughes.
Tight end
Averett returns 2011 USA South All-Conference Second Team tight end Wynton Stephens, who will be a senior in 2012. Stephens caught 18 passes for 211 yards and a pair of touchdowns last season as his role grew throughout the year. The Cougars return several other tight ends, including sophomore Chaz Norman, who made three receptions for 59 yards last year.
“Wynton Stephens is a big, strong target at the tight end position. I think we're going to try to utilize him more in our passing game. He's a tough guy to cover. We've tried all camp to cover him.”
Offensive line
Averett will need to restock several spots on its offensive line. The Cougars lost 2011 USA South All-Conference Second Team offensive lineman Alex Mayo, who played both guard and tackle to graduation, as well as Chris Liufau, who started every game last season as a senior at the center position.
The Cougars, however, return USA South All-Conference Honorable Mention lineman Josh Clark, who will be a junior, and senior Harry John. Averett also brings back several players with game experience, including senior Adam Chiarolanzio, junior Clayton Hubert and sophomores Darrius Bethel and Gerald Ingram. Senior Armand Masse, who did not play last season, will add experience on the line as well.
“We have guys that can play multiple positions,” Dunlevy said. “During camp we've had some injuries so we've moved some guys around to solidify getting our best five out there at one time. Those guys have made some great adjustments.”
The coaching staff also believes in several freshmen who will add depth to an offensive line which has battled some injuries during the preseason. |
DEFENSE
The Cougars bring back five starters on defense, but have some big shoes to fill, especially on the defensive line and at linebacker. Here is a breakdown of each defensive position:
Linebacker
The Cougars will need to fill several holes at linebacker in 2012. Junior Tyler Robertson, who finished among Averett's tackle leaders with 36 total takedowns, will be looked upon to lead a young group of untested players.
“He really has done a great job of getting faster and stronger,” Dunlevy said. “He'll pretty much run the defense for us.”
Sophomore P.J. Thomas, who did not play last season, will help fill the void, as well as freshman Donald Redding.
The Cougars also have some depth at linebacker with junior Blake Lewis, and freshmen Terry Smith and Demarkus Corbin. Averett also returns junior Dustin McClanahan and sophomore Ben Harris.
Defensive line
Averett's biggest hits from graduation come on the defensive line. The Cougars lost USA South All-Conference First Team defensive tackle Albert Brown, as well as First Team defensive end Corey Scruggs. Both players earned all-state honors, including Scruggs, who was named the Virginia Sports Information Directors Defensive Player of the Year.
Sophomore Ervin Brown, who was a USA South All-Conference Honorable Mention selection, returns to anchor one of the defensive tackle positions. He finished with 42 total tackles a year ago.
“We've still got a lot to prove because we did lose some guys, but that anchor coming back is obviously Ervin,” Dunlevy said.
Freshman Jagger Johnson will team up with Brown to fill the middle of the line, while sophomore David Stigall and sophomore transfer Matthew Smith will start at the defensive end positions.
Sophomores Devin Norcott and Chris Norwood both saw limited action last season and could contribute more this season, as well as senior Jawoin Williams and sophomores Nico Peterson and Cody Spradley.
Cornerback
Averett returns junior Zachary Grkman and sophomore Calvin Williams, who shared starting time last season at cornerback. Each had more than 20 tackles apiece and both made three interceptions in 2011. Averett also returns junior Brent Skipper, who will see time in nickel packages. Sophomores Donald Matthews and Jared Pliciniczak provide depth.
“That's one place that you always get nervous about playing freshmen,” Dunlevy said. “You can get beat deep real quick. You make a mistake back there and it's six points. … So to have some veteran experience back there really helps us.”
Safety
Averett's leading tackler in 2011 was safety Stefan Varner, and the junior returns to anchor the secondary once again. A team captain this season, Varner is coming off a 66-tackle performance last year. The Cougars lost starter Robslin Emmanuel to graduation but return sophomore Brian Fuquay, who made 20 tackles last season as a reserve. In fact, the coaching staff has been impressed by Fuquay during the preseason.
“He's gotten better and better,” Dunlevy said. “He's given Varner a running for who may be our best safety.”
The Cougars also have sophomores Malcolm Johnson and Donald Downs to add depth at safety.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Averett returns junior punter Zachary Richman, who sat out during the 2011 season. In 2010, Richman had 50 punts for a total of 1,856 yards and an average of 37.1 yards per punt and put 15 punts inside the 20-yard line with eight fair catches and three touchbacks.
“Getting Richman back is huge,” Dunlevy said. “Our kicking game was non-existent at the end of last year.”
The Cougars will look to freshmen Ryan Ristaino and Hobie Proctor on kickoffs, field goals and extra point attempts.
In the return game, August Jones and freshman Nicholas Grove will return punts, while Jones and Ray Brown will return kickoffs. Terry will likely factor into the return game, as well.
“It should be exciting,” Dunlevy said. “I'm not sure we've had the break-away speed that we have in our return game.” |
