Wossman defense sets high expectations
Wossman coach Dean Smith agrees that defense is what separated his program from a deep playoff run.
“The defense coming together, understanding their assignments and playing as one is what we need,” Smith said. “Right now, it’s showing. It’s coming together and that’s what we’re working to.”
With perfect timing, the Wildcats come into 2015 with 11 defensive returning starters – and hard-working ones to boot – to set a high ceiling for the fall.
“What can I do to get better to get us to the Dome?” said defensive tackle Brandon Lewis – who received an offer from Jackson State in July – on the defense’s mindset in the offseason.
Junior linebacker Charles Ellis added, “I’ve been telling these guys that there isn’t a next time, it’s now or never. I feel like we have something to prove because we didn’t do anything last year.”
That highly-improved defensive unit is still a young one with just four seniors – Marshall, Dequincy Dennis, Deuntae Winston and Cedrick White – but more experienced than the roster suggests after several sophomores playing through significant snaps last season.
Offensively, the firepower in returning quarterback Cam Lewis and running back Ladarrius Thomas -- committed to LSU and Louisiana Tech, respectively – has Smith excited for the potential for his offensive unit, as long as he can find perimeter playmakers for Lewis to target in the passing game.
“Brandon Lewis will be pretty powerful for us,” Smith said. “There a couple of kids that you don’t know about yet that I want to let emerge. I don’t want to tag the kid, they have to earn the respect and notoriety. As they catch touchdowns, you’ll learn their names.
“I’m not big on pumping somebody up early.”
Smith also has a specific identity in mind for his offensive line.
“I have the right offensive coordinator and the right mindset to know that we’re not going to be the biggest offensive line in the state, so we have to get our steps down and try to be disciplined in the fundamentals,” Smith said.
The line will be anchored at center by Josh Wright, a senior who Smith said, “outgrew the linebacker position,” and answered his call to fill a void at center.
Overall, Smith feels confident in his team’s offensive capabilities and is waiting for the defense to steal the show on Friday nights.
“You’re going show up looking for Cam and LT (Ladarrius Thomas) and come away saying, ‘Who was No. 32? Who was No. 72? Who was No. 9? Those guys on the defensive line, the linebackers and the defensive backs were lockdown. I didn’t know they were that good on defense,’” Smith said. “That’s what we want. We want to be the underdogs.”
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Cameron Lewis, senior quarterback/defensive back
1. What do you think you improved the most this summer?
Pretty much everything. I learned how to cover better as a defensive back and be more accurate as a quarterback.
2. What colleges do you hear from the most? LSU, of course. Michigan, Georgia, Texas A&M and TCU, they’re the main schools.
3. What are you looking for in a college? Brotherhood, somewhere I’m comfortable, playing time, the coaching staff and the city, of course. I have to love the atmosphere.
4. What are you going to major in? I’m undecided, but as the school year goes on that’s going to be something that’s on my mind. The quicker, the better.
District 2-4A
Coach: Dean Smith (second season)
2014 record: 5-6, 2-2
2014 playoffs: First round
Playoff streak: Two years
Home field: Grady Jones Memorial Stadium
School phone: (318) 343-2769
Tickets: $7