By Sam Doughton
Managing Editor
A new coach means big changes for the Reynolds High School football team in the 2013 season.
Scott Saalweachter was hired as head coach of Reynolds on June 28 following the resignation of former coach Paul Hall, who took the head coaching job at Sun Valley High School outside of Charlotte. Saalweachter was an assistant on last year’s team.
Saalweachter takes over a team that ended the season on a five-game losing streak to finish 4-7 overall and 0-5 in the Central Piedmont 4-A Conference. The Demons were outscored 257-27 in conference play. The team finished the year starting 16 sophomores and three freshmen due to injuries and absences that left holes in the lineup, as well as to build experience for the upcoming seasons.
“Looking forward to this season and next season,” Saalweachter said, “we have 24 juniors with varsity experience. That will help us a lot going forward.”
The Demons are switching offensive schemes, moving from the Wing-T used by Hall to a spread option-orientated attack. This offense features formations with four wide receivers, as well as some triple-option plays from the Pistol formation. The team plans to go no-huddle a lot this year in a fast-paced, exciting style of play popularized by the Oregon Ducks. Saalweachter said his hope is that the offense runs a play about every 20 seconds.
On defense, the team shifts from a seven- to an eight-man front, utilizing both a 4-3 and 3-5 look, depending on matchups with the offense. The outside linebackers in the defense are nicknamed “Dogs” by the coaching staff, and rotate between playing linebacker and safety depending on the formation.
The Demons are being predicted to finish toward the bottom of the new-look CPC, which adds Parkland as a member this year to returning league members Reagan, West Forsyth, Mount Tabor, North Davidson and Davie County. Despite early doubts, Saalweachter has higher expectations for the team.
“We think we’re going to be better than (the bottom half of the conference),” Saalweachter said. “We think we can be middle of the pack. It’s our motivation for the year that we’re not in the bottom half. All we do is we mention some scores from last year, and that motivates the players to prove (their friends from other schools) wrong.”
In addition to Saalweachter, Reynolds has added six new coaches to the staff. Eric Tippett will be the offensive coordinator this year and coach quarterbacks and running backs. Lamar Wilkerson is the defensive coordinator and coaches defensive backs. Jim Collins arrived from Michigan and brings his 27 years of experience to the offensive line. Thomas McEachin is the new defensive line coach, and Larry Reaves-Bey arrived from Virginia Beach, Va., to coach the wide receivers. Michael Copeland, also a basketball assistant, will help with the wideouts.
The motto for the coming season is “All In,” alluding to the poker term when someone puts all the money they have in the pot and goes “All In” for the hand.
“We want the kids to buy into what we’re trying to accomplish,” Saalweachter said of the motto.
Saalweachter said that each player was given a poker chip to throw into a basket as players leave the lockeroom as a visual representation that they’re “All In” when they take the field.
The Demons open the season Friday night (Aug. 23) at East Forsyth. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
Projected starting lineup, on offense, defense and special teams.
Offense:
- Quarterback: Bailey Tyner (Sr.)
- Running Back: Larry Harlee (Sr.)
- Slot Receivers: Tory Robinson (Jr.), Pat Harrison (Jr.)
- Top Wide Receivers: Akiah Pruitt (So.), Hynief Hall (Jr.), Alonso Rodriguez (Jr.)
- Left Tackle: Gray Burcham (Sr.)
- Left Guard: Wayne Walker (Jr.)
- Center: Zac Saalweachter (Jr.) 2012 CPC All-Conference
- Right Guard: Will Hackley (Jr.)
- Right Tackle: Hank Holtzwarth (Jr.)
- Tight Ends: Rashieq Cockerham (Sr.), Antonio Booe (So.)
Defense:
- Defensive End: Micah McCall (Sr.), Ricco Thomas (Sr.)
- Nose Guard: Joesph Porter (Sr.)
- Outside Linebackers/Strong Safety (“Dogs”): Kirshawn Hariston (Jr.), Roger Powell (Sr.)
- Middle Linebackers: John Pope (Jr.), Derrick Horne (Jr.), Brandon Duckett (Jr.)
- Cornerback: Tory Robinson (Jr.), Jakier Austin (Jr.)
- Safety: Malik Lane (Jr.)
Special Teams:
- Punter: Robby Casey (Jr.)
- Placekicker: Rand Fisher (Jr.)
What are your hopes for the 2013 season? Leave a comment or well-wishes to the Demons below (your real name and email address will not be published):
Rowdy • Sep 26, 2013 at 11:52 am
Lets get a little bit rowdy R-O-W-D-Y
terio • Sep 26, 2013 at 11:27 am
Football has got to step up we cant give up this early in the season.