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We are your one stop hometown shop! ESTIMATES CONCRETE We support Local High School Football! August 26, 2020 Enterprise-Leader 9C F o o t b a l l P r e v i e w LINCOLN — Beau Collins, Defensive Coor- dinator for Lincoln's varsity as well as head softball coach, begins his second year as junior high head football coach this year. "When Coach Mendoza showed up, he wanted me to take over the offense on the junior high and had planned to let one of the other coaches run the defense. They left, the staff got shook up, luckily enough I ended up being able to take over the offense there and you're going to see a change in what we do," Collins said. "After Coach Mendoza and I looked at it, we didn't think we could continue doing what we were with that group and be as successful they deserve to be. So, we made some changes there. A bunch of those kids that were eighth graders last year and got a lot of playing time as eighth graders have matured over the summer, got to lift weights once we got back in here, and we have really been working hard at develop- ing and trying to find an offensive identity for them." OFFENSE Collins intends to diversify the offense using a few tight end sets and formations with one, two, three and four wide receiv- ers occasionally showing a wingback. "Some sets where we're all compressed in, some where we have two in the back- field," Collins said. "We've really focused on where we try to give them less to learn and just make it look better. I didn't know if we had the kids that it really needed to be a spread offense and throw the ball around every play. We're going to try to put them into some advantage by using formations and putting our kids in the best spot we can get them at." The hope is to continually keep defenses adjusting until the Wolves uncover a weak link. "If we can find a formation that we like or that we don't think that you've adjusted well to, where we can take advantage of, that's what we're looking for," Collins said. Quarterback Freshman Drew Moore returns in the starting position for the junior Wolves at quarterback. Moore's work ethic and commitment to improving his skills and knowledge served him well last year. "Drew got to start all the games as an eighth grader last year and at times he looked like an eighth grader, and at times looked like an experienced quarterback which is going to pay off this year to have that experience," Collins said. "And to have some of the skill guys with him that are in his grade who played with him last year. So, right now they are out there working on running routes and a little bit of chemistry between the quarterback and the receivers." Tailbacks Freshman Nick Martinez plays tailback. He started every game last season. "This year he's going to have a little help in the backfield," Collins said. "Nick is a hard-nosed downhill type runningback. You can really count on him when you've got to run something tough between the tackles and know that he's going to put his shoulder down and fight for everything he can get you." Tall eighth grader Kale Jones utilizes his 6-feet frame and will get some time at tail- back with Kellar Price occasionally coming into the backfield. "Kale Jones is a little bit different. He's a little shiftier, not really wanting to run over people so it makes a nice to be able to move them in and out, change the look we are able to give people, and not wear just one kid out making him run the ball the whole time," Collins said. Receivers Freshman Jace Birkes and speedy eighth grader Caden Brewer, whom Collins said doesn't play like an eighth grader most of the time, play wide receivers with freshman Kellar Price returning as a slot receiver. His cousin Paxton Price is another outside receiver. "They started last year on the junior high time in pretty much the same spot as they are in now so they've had another year to play there. "It definitely is going to give us a little bit of an advantage that we have receiving threats who can catch the ball out there," Collins said. Offensive Line Freshman Kaleb Roy returns as starting center. "At right guard we've got Ruger Reming- ton and Austin Mourning, who are fighting it out to see who will start," Collins said. "Austin was our tight end, inside receiver last year. He grew, got a little bigger this year. I had a hard conversation with him this year about 'I know that's where you want to be, but this is where your team needs you.' He took it as any coach would want. 'Yes sir, whatever's best for the team.' He was happy to go there. He's fighting for playing time." Freshmen Dimetrius Self and Ryan Provence man the tackles. Provence got some experience in the trenches last year. Junior Wolves Ready To Take On New League LINCOLN JUNIOR HIGH FOOTBALL PREVIEW By Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER SEE JUNIOR WOLVES PAGE 10C MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER A junior Wolf makes an open-field tackle, something Lincoln head junior high coach Beau Collins emphasizes in executing sound fundamentals of football.