CITY-SOUTH
Eastmoor Academy
Warriors expect to stay among league elite By SCOTT GERFEN
Schedule
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Some might look at what the Eastmoor Academy football team must replace from last season and wonder if the Warriors are contenders again in the City LeagueSouth Division. Eastmoor had a strong senior class last fall led by Ohio State recruit Ron Tanner (QB/DB) as well as first-team all-district selections Derick Rudolph (RB) and Shawn Jackson (LB). Under their leadership, Eastmoor won six of its final seven games to earn the sixth spot in the final Division III, Region 10 computer rankings. The Warriors lost to Tiffin Columbian 17-14 in the first round of the playoffs and finished 6-4 overall. In the City-South, Eastmoor went 6-1 to finish behind champion Marion-Franklin (7-0) and ahead of Walnut Ridge (5-2), Briggs (3-4), Independence (34), Africentric (2-5), Columbus West (2-5) and Columbus South (0-7). Coach Jim Miranda, who begins his ninth season Friday, Aug. 26, against visiting Northland, isn’t expecting the team to take a step back. “The cupboard is not bare,” he said. “We have a tremendous amount of skill kids and I think we’re going to be very competitive. But like every other team, we have some question marks.” Those include replacing a number of linebackers and trying to groom a quarterback who has waited his turn to become the full-time starter. Senior quarterback David Valdez (5-foot-9, 165 pounds) split time with Tanner last season. “He’s showing lots of leadership right now and the guys have even selected him as a team captain,” Miranda said. “He’s just had to be patient.” Also getting his chance to carry the ball is senior running back
ThisWeekSPORTS.com
2011 SCHEDULE Aug. 26.......Northland...........Home Sept. 2 .......St. Charles ..........Away Sept. 10 .....Thurgood Marsh...Away *Sept. 16 ...Independence.....Home *Sept. 23 ...Columbus West....Away *Sept. 30 ...Briggs ................Home *Oct. 7 .......Columbus South ..Away *Oct. 14 .....Walnut Ridge ......Home *Oct. 21 .....Marion-Franklin.....Away *Oct. 28 .....Africentric...........Home
By Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Terrell Hudson will start at one of the wide receiver spots for the Warriors, who open the season Friday, Aug. 26, as host to Northland.
Tahje Brown (5-10, 172), who missed part of last season with an injury before returning as a starter at defensive back. He’ll have senior Jabari Howard (6-2, 328), a two-way starter who’s being recruited by schools including Alabama,
Michigan and Notre Dame, blocking for him at tackle. Seniors Bryan Booker (6-2, 240) and Derick Jones (5-10, 250) also are returning starters along with junior tight end Devon Edwards (6-4, 240). Seniors Terrell Hudson (5-11,
turning starters. “We could have the best secondary in the area,” Miranda said. “They were all relay sprinters for the track team, so they’ve got some speed to get to the ball.” Juniors Daivon Barrow (5-11, 175), Christopher Grace (5-10, 215) and Brent Granger (5-10, 210) will start at linebacker. Junior Donzel Watkins (6-0, 290), Booker (DE), Edwards (DE) and Howard (DT) will start up front. Miranda has been stressing the importance of the non-league schedule if the Warriors intend to reach the postseason. Last year, Eastmoor lost to Northland 25-19 in overtime and St. Charles 20-6. Besides Northland, St. Charles (Sept. 2) and Dayton Thurgood Marshall (Sept. 10) are the other non-league opponents. “Those early games are going to be pivotal,” Miranda said. “We gave that game away last year at Northland. We’ve got to be more prepared and not commit the turnovers that we did.”
185) and Jalen Crosby (5-11, 175) will start at wide receiver, and junior Khourey Carter (5-11, 215) will play fullback. Miranda expects his secondary to lead the defense. Brown, Crosby, Hudson and senior Khalil Hairston (5-7, 165) all are re- www.ThisWeekSPORTS.com
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE 2011 Football Preview | August 25, 2011
2010 RESULTS (6-4 overall, 6-1 City-South) Northland...................L, 25-19 (OT) St. Charles..........................L, 20-6 *Columbus West ..............W, 55-36 *Briggs ............................W, 43-12 *Columbus South ...............W, 82-3 *Walnut Ridge ..................W, 21-20 *Marion-Franklin ................L, 34-27 *Independence.................W, 34-12 *Africentric.........................W, 49-0 PLAYOFFS Tiffin Columbian.................L, 17-14 *City-South game
“
The cupboard is not bare. We have a tremendous amount of skill kids.
JIM MIRANDA —Eastmoor coach
YOU can get ANYWHERE from here
Downtown Campus cscc.edu
69