After a 5-5 2019 campaign, the White County Warriors are preparing for the 2020 football season with a newfound buzz around the program.
With a young squad full of question marks, second-year head coach Mark Frasier said his team has some answers to find before starting the season, particularly given the unique offseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been such a weird time,” said Frasier. “We’re just excited that we’re able to play. We lost 20-something seniors last year, but we do have some guys coming up we think are going to be some good football players. Our goal is to improve on what we did last year. We hope to continue to build on that, and we don’t want 5-5 to be the expectation. We think this team has the potential to do that if they continue to work hard.”
The Warriors entered the 2019 season looking for their first win in over two seasons, but the Warriors experienced a major turnaround in 2019, and expectations for the Warriors are much higher.
Leading the Warriors on the field will be sophomore quarterback Malaki Dowell. Dowell saw playing time at defensive back and wide receiver in 2019 and is making the jump to starting quarterback in 2020.
Frasier said Dowell is going to be special.
READ: White County’s Dowell Is Set To Take Over
A key to the Warriors’ turnaround in 2019 was their ability to run the ball effectively. Frasier said at their core, the Warriors will be a running football team.
“We want to be able to throw the ball more than we did last year, but (running) is going to be our identity,” said Frasier. “Sparta needs to be a physical, downhill, running football team. I thought we accomplished that last year. That was probably the best thing we did. We expect to continue.”
One position group with experience for the Warriors is at running back. Four players who got carries in 2019 return for Frasier’s squad.
“At running back, we do have some senior guys,” said Frasier. “Jayden Richmond and Caleb Bailey are both seniors, both played last year, both know the system. Also, with Kade Clark and Hunter Pope, both are H-backs that can stand up and catch the ball. I think we’ve got a lot of options.”
Several new faces will line up on the outside at the receiver position for Sparta.
“On the outside, we’ve got a senior who’s never played before, played basketball, Tanner Paul,” said Frasier. “We moved a kid last year who played defensive end to receiver for us, he just keeps getting taller and faster. We do have a little more skill, but we’ll see how it turns out when the lights come on.”
Sparta will look to replace three offensive linemen from the 2019 season. Frasier said despite the new faces, he expects his offensive line to be strong.
“We lost three guys there,” said Frasier. “With that being said, the guys who are coming up are working hard. We’re stronger there than we were last year. I don’t know if that means we’re better, but we’re stronger.”
Junior defensive back DJ Paul returns to anchor the secondary for the Warriors along with Dowell, but several new faces will be added to the back-half of Sparta’s secondary.
“DJ Paul’s back… he’s a missile back there. He does a good job,” said Frasier. “The rest of the guys are new. Once again, some talent but young. There’s definitely going to be some growing pains.”
The Warriors will also be replacing almost every starting linebacker from 2019, except for junior Garrett Nash.
One group with experience is the defensive front. Frasier said the Warriors need the defensive line to be the strength of the team. Clark, Pope, Cameron Stephens and Maliki Billings all return and will be asked to carry the burden for the defense.
“They’re the key,” said Frasier. “They’ve got to take care of us, and I expect they will. They understand their role. They can’t take a play off. That front-four is going to have to play well for us to have a chance to compete.”
There has been a culture-change in Sparta. After winning a game for the first time in over two seasons, and ending the year with a 5-5 record, Frasier said the confidence his team has is larger than it was in his first season.
“That is a big change,” said Frasier. “Coming into last year (the players) hadn’t won a game in forever. Trying to pound into their minds that you can win, to not give up and to always play hard. We feel like we’re maybe over that hump. This year the goals are a little bit loftier and I think they have those goals. I think they’ve bought in.”
White County is not apart of a TSSAA region. They will be eligible to return to a region in the 2021 season. Frasier said with a rebuilding program, young and talented team and a return to a region looming, this season is critical.
“This year will determine what kind of football program is going to be here for 20 years,” said Frasier. “This year is the key. If we win this year, I think the program will take itself to another level where it can consider itself a competitive program. I know region play will be tougher… but I think we would be able to compete.”
The Warriors will get the season underway Friday night when they travel to Woodbury to take on the Cannon County Lions. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.