By Zac Chamblee
Seminary leaned heavily on a high-powered rushing attack last season. With a trio of ultra-talented running backs having graduated and moved on from the team, Bulldog head coach Brian Rials has seen a shift in the balance of power as the 2017 season draws near.
“We’re pretty good in a few spots,” Rials said. “Just a lot of question marks with some very young skill guys. We’re trying to replace our 2 top carriers from last year that put up some big yards and numbers for us.”
“I think we’re going to be ok,” Rials added. “We’re just young, and it’s going to take some time get that experience and get rolling. We will have to rely on the defense this year. I think they’ll hopefully keep us in some games and let the offense come around.”
Offense:
Jeff Miller returns for his junior season and will quarterback Seminary in 2017. Miller started every game there last season, passing for 497 yards and four touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ run-heavy offense. With the absence of household playmakers on the offensive side, Rials is expecting even more from his signal-caller in 2017.
“Jeff can run our offense and knows our system well,” Rials said. “We count on him to do that and especially to get some of those young guys in the right places and the right direction.”
As previously mentioned, the Bulldogs have been tasked with replacing a trio of running backs in Javaris and Wendell Crosby, as well as Felix McCullum, a William Carey baseball signee. Much like last season, Rials expects multiple guys to see playing time there. Jordan Barrett, Marquis Crosby and Tyveron Morgan are a few names to watch at that spot.
Seniors Calvin Boyland, Alonzo Hargrove and Javin Moore will highlight the team’s receiving corp. That group did not see a whole lot of playing time last season. 2017 should be different.
“Those are all seniors with not a lot of experience out there, but those are some good players,” Rials said. “We’ll ask them to make some plays for us.”
Rials called his offensive line the biggest question mark to this point. David Barnes, Tyquavionne Boyland, Chris Guidry, Austin Lott, Tyler McLaurin, Nathan Pickering and Kyle Smith are just a few names vying for playing time there.
Defense:
Seminary’s biggest strength is their defense. Their biggest strength on defense should be the defensive line, which is anchored by Qvaius Currie and Nathan Pickering. Currie will be a four-year starter at nose guard for the Bulldogs, while Pickering, a defensive end, is one of the state’s top prospects in the 2019 class.
The team is also expecting big things from linebacker Gaige Walters, who started all of the last season as a freshman. Walters is the team’s leading returning tackler (70). Calvin Boyland, who led the team in interceptions (5) last season, will also be a force after switching positions from defensive back to linebacker.
Charles Barnes, Christian Barnes, Javin Moore and Tyveron Morgan are a couple of other names to watch on the defensive side of the ball.
Special Teams:
One of the team’s biggest losses was long snapper Reilly Reardon, a JCJC signee. Ryan Smith and Dakota Myers are currently vying to be his replacement.
Senior Bravos Webb returns to handle both the kicking and punting duties for the Bulldogs.
“Bravos has got a really strong leg,” Rials concluded. “I think his long was a 45-yarder in a game last year. We’ll count on him to get us points this year. And be more consistent on his punting. As I said, he’s got a strong leg. If he can get it all together, we’ll be ok on special teams.”
