By Scott Rodgers
2011 IN REVIEW
Fox Creek's 2011 season featured many high points. The team stormed to a 7-0 start and was led by quarterback Marty Williams. It was the first time that Fox Creek had been undefeated that far into the season. Their first loss came to Calhoun County in a nail biter, and, in the next week, they fell to Williston-Elko. The team responded by beating Ridge Spring-Monetta in their season finale and won their first round playoff game against Southside Christian, technically the first in school history after 2010 wins were vacated. Even though they were knocked out in the second round by Christ Church Episcopal, the team still considered the season to be a success.
"We went about as far as we could go," Fox Creek head coach Russ Schneider said. "We lost Marty in that first playoff game, then he came back in the second one. He got knocked out, and the next series, we lost Quadre (Castleberry), and then it all went downhill after that."
RETURNING STARS
The team lost 17 seniors and is facing a year where they have to get a whole new identity. With Williams' graduation, the Predators will turn to a quarterback committee of Trey Mock and Deondre Baskett.
"We lost a lot of big names and some key guys," Schneider said.
Zabian Adams will be the main man in the backfield. The senior running back saw playing time as a junior but got limited touches with the senior stars ahead of him.
"Zabian is probably our best ball carrier," Schneider said. "It doesn't hurt that he can fly when he gets space."
It will be up to the offensive line to give Adams the holes that he needs. And it's a task that Schneider said he believes they are up to.
"Both lines have been very impressive," he said. "The defensive line is going to be the strength of our team."
The D-line is anchored by juniors Brandon Stallings and Andrew Crytzer.
NEW FACES
Joining Stallings and Crytzer on the D-line will be Alan Randell, a 6-foot-4 transfer from North Augusta. Though he is out for the first four games, Schneider is expecting big things.
With as much turnover as the Predators have experienced, the team will feature a lot of new names.
"There are very few starters coming back," Schneider said. "There's going to be a whole lot of new faces. This team is going to be completely different. I will say that this is the smartest group I have ever had, and they're just so quiet. Everyone showed up for camp and put in their work; they hustle and they play the game the right way."
GAMES TO WATCH
After last year's hot start, the team hopes it will carry over to the coming season. After opening the year at home against Dreher in week zero, they will receive a big test in week one against McCormick.
"They're going to be a very good team," Schneider said. "I think they're going to surprise some people."
A date with Augusta Christian in week four sets up what Schneider has emphasized as a key moment to their season.
"They will be our non-region rival," he said. "We're looking forward to going up against their guys."
Fox Creek kicks off the Region 4-A portion of their schedule at Ridge Spring-Monetta on Sept. 21. The next week, they will face a Williston-Elko team that shut them out last year, 38-0.
"Williston is always the team to beat," Schneider said. "They are a measuring stick, and we need to see if we can play with those guys."
North heads into Lions Field the following week. The next two weeks feature games that Schneider points toward as deciding their season: at Wagener-Salley and against Blackville-Hilda.
"The whole region is going to be a lot better," he said. "We always play close games against Wagener, and Blackville is a team that we beat last year and hope to knock off again."
Fox Creek will wrap up its season against Hunter-Kinard Tyler.
OFFENSE
The Predators' offensive scheme won't change much from last year. They will, once again, employ an unorthodox Wing-T from out of the shotgun formation. They also have an interesting way to keep both Mock and Baskett on the field.
"Both Deandre and Trey will see time at wide receiver," Schneider said. "Whichever one isn't in the backfield will get split out wide."
With Adams in the backfield, as well, Fox Creek will continue to be a team that hangs its hat on running the ball. However, they also will look for big plays from Brandon Gladney on the outside.
"He's a weapon out there," Schneider said.
DEFENSE
Like the offense, not much is changing in how things are run on the defensive side of the ball. Fox Creek will run their standard 3-5-3 defense and hope to generate pressure from the big linemen. The defense will also be led by a new linebacker, Ty Yarbrough.
"Really, we're not changing a whole lot in our systems," Schneider said. "There may be new names, but we hope to generate some of the same results."
SPECIAL TEAMS
The specialists for Fox Creek are still a bit of a gray area. Trey Mock will be the primary punter, but, right now, the team is unsure of its kicking situation. Schneider said he currently had no one lined up to kick field goals or handle kickoffs.
The team will turn to Adams to return kicks and punts.
"We think he can succeed in that role," Schneider said. "But even that isn't set in stone right now."
OVERALL OUTLOOK
Following a historic campaign, the Predators will try to continue making strides in the right direction. Even though the players in the jerseys may be different, Schneider is hopeful that the foundation in place through his staff can push the team to its third straight winning season.
"Obviously you want to try and win them all. Short of that, our goal is always to do better than the year before," Schneider said. "There may be some growing pains early on, but we hope to eliminate mistakes and have things running smoothly with all four wheels on the ground come region time."![]()
2011 IN REVIEW
Fox Creek's 2011 season featured many high points. The team stormed to a 7-0 start and was led by quarterback Marty Williams. It was the first time that Fox Creek had been undefeated that far into the season. Their first loss came to Calhoun County in a nail biter, and, in the next week, they fell to Williston-Elko. The team responded by beating Ridge Spring-Monetta in their season finale and won their first round playoff game against Southside Christian, technically the first in school history after 2010 wins were vacated. Even though they were knocked out in the second round by Christ Church Episcopal, the team still considered the season to be a success.
"We went about as far as we could go," Fox Creek head coach Russ Schneider said. "We lost Marty in that first playoff game, then he came back in the second one. He got knocked out, and the next series, we lost Quadre (Castleberry), and then it all went downhill after that."
RETURNING STARS
The team lost 17 seniors and is facing a year where they have to get a whole new identity. With Williams' graduation, the Predators will turn to a quarterback committee of Trey Mock and Deondre Baskett.
"We lost a lot of big names and some key guys," Schneider said.
Zabian Adams will be the main man in the backfield. The senior running back saw playing time as a junior but got limited touches with the senior stars ahead of him.
"Zabian is probably our best ball carrier," Schneider said. "It doesn't hurt that he can fly when he gets space."
It will be up to the offensive line to give Adams the holes that he needs. And it's a task that Schneider said he believes they are up to.
"Both lines have been very impressive," he said. "The defensive line is going to be the strength of our team."
The D-line is anchored by juniors Brandon Stallings and Andrew Crytzer.
NEW FACES
Joining Stallings and Crytzer on the D-line will be Alan Randell, a 6-foot-4 transfer from North Augusta. Though he is out for the first four games, Schneider is expecting big things.
With as much turnover as the Predators have experienced, the team will feature a lot of new names.
"There are very few starters coming back," Schneider said. "There's going to be a whole lot of new faces. This team is going to be completely different. I will say that this is the smartest group I have ever had, and they're just so quiet. Everyone showed up for camp and put in their work; they hustle and they play the game the right way."
GAMES TO WATCH
After last year's hot start, the team hopes it will carry over to the coming season. After opening the year at home against Dreher in week zero, they will receive a big test in week one against McCormick.
"They're going to be a very good team," Schneider said. "I think they're going to surprise some people."
A date with Augusta Christian in week four sets up what Schneider has emphasized as a key moment to their season.
"They will be our non-region rival," he said. "We're looking forward to going up against their guys."
Fox Creek kicks off the Region 4-A portion of their schedule at Ridge Spring-Monetta on Sept. 21. The next week, they will face a Williston-Elko team that shut them out last year, 38-0.
"Williston is always the team to beat," Schneider said. "They are a measuring stick, and we need to see if we can play with those guys."
North heads into Lions Field the following week. The next two weeks feature games that Schneider points toward as deciding their season: at Wagener-Salley and against Blackville-Hilda.
"The whole region is going to be a lot better," he said. "We always play close games against Wagener, and Blackville is a team that we beat last year and hope to knock off again."
Fox Creek will wrap up its season against Hunter-Kinard Tyler.
OFFENSE
The Predators' offensive scheme won't change much from last year. They will, once again, employ an unorthodox Wing-T from out of the shotgun formation. They also have an interesting way to keep both Mock and Baskett on the field.
"Both Deandre and Trey will see time at wide receiver," Schneider said. "Whichever one isn't in the backfield will get split out wide."
With Adams in the backfield, as well, Fox Creek will continue to be a team that hangs its hat on running the ball. However, they also will look for big plays from Brandon Gladney on the outside.
"He's a weapon out there," Schneider said.
DEFENSE
Like the offense, not much is changing in how things are run on the defensive side of the ball. Fox Creek will run their standard 3-5-3 defense and hope to generate pressure from the big linemen. The defense will also be led by a new linebacker, Ty Yarbrough.
"Really, we're not changing a whole lot in our systems," Schneider said. "There may be new names, but we hope to generate some of the same results."
SPECIAL TEAMS
The specialists for Fox Creek are still a bit of a gray area. Trey Mock will be the primary punter, but, right now, the team is unsure of its kicking situation. Schneider said he currently had no one lined up to kick field goals or handle kickoffs.
The team will turn to Adams to return kicks and punts.
"We think he can succeed in that role," Schneider said. "But even that isn't set in stone right now."
OVERALL OUTLOOK
Following a historic campaign, the Predators will try to continue making strides in the right direction. Even though the players in the jerseys may be different, Schneider is hopeful that the foundation in place through his staff can push the team to its third straight winning season.
"Obviously you want to try and win them all. Short of that, our goal is always to do better than the year before," Schneider said. "There may be some growing pains early on, but we hope to eliminate mistakes and have things running smoothly with all four wheels on the ground come region time."