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Blanchard changing the mindset at Andrews High

By David Shelton

Staff Writer

Andrews – A full year into his rebuilding project, Andrews High football coach Steve Blanchard likes the progress that has been made to date. The work, however, is far from complete.

“The main thing we’ve been able to do over the last year is change the mindset and the attitude,” said Blanchard, who is entering his 21st year of coaching. “I have to give our coaches a lot of credit. They were asked to change and adapt to some things as well and they have been very open to that. I think that’s been a huge help. We just had to change the way things were being done here and for that to work, I needed the coaches to change.

“We’re making a lot of progress. Our community is behind us and the players are responding very well this summer. Last year was slow moving but it has picked up a lot this summer.”

Blanchard says the summer workout program seems to be paying big dividends. Last year, he says a handful of players made the required workouts in the summer. This summer, Blanchard doubled the number of workouts that were required and he says 90 percent of the athletes have done so.

“Last year we had about 40 percent of the kids to buy in and we’re close to 90 right now,” said Blanchard. “We’re working on that last 10 percent now but the commitment has been great so far. I’m very pleased with the direction we are headed right now.”

Blanchard announced the hiring of two additional coaches to the football staff this season. Brian Mabry has been hired to coach the fullbacks and defensive ends while Will Bratcher will coach the defensive tackles and centers and guards on the offensive line.

Both coaches came from Loris High School. Mabry also has coached at North Myrtle Beach and Carolina Forest. Bratcher is a former all-state offensive lineman from Conway High School and played collegiately at Charleston Southern.

Returning to the staff as the defensive coordinator is Kevin Branham, who will also coach the receivers and defensive backs. Chad Cooksey will coach tackles and tight ends, and will serve as the head junior varsity coach.

Coaching linebackers is Brandon Clontz, who will assist with the offensive linemen, while Chris Hapeshis will coach strong safeties and A-backs.

Rounding out the football staff are Ricky Poston, the junior varsity defensive coordinator, and Jimmy Morris, who is the head b-team coach.

As for the other varsity sports, Blanchard reports little change. Returning as the co-athletic director and head baseball coach is Roland Clemons.

Meagan Johnson will coach volleyball in the fall and softball in the spring. Hapeshis is the boy’s soccer coach and Branham is the varsity boy’s basketball coach.

There is an opening in track but Blanchard foresees a member of the current staff taking that program by next spring.

 

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By C.R. Cumbee
Staff Writer
Andrews - Homecoming was a wet one this past week at Andrews High School.  However, the Yellow Jackets did pick up their second win of the year, a 28-0 shutout of Garrett Tech.  The game was called due to weather with a couple minutes remaining in the first half.
   "We were doing some good things, and when you're doing that, you want to keep it going," head coach Steve Blanchard said.  "After watching the film I thought we executed very well on offense.  We stayed on our blocks and definitely improved in a couple aspects of our game.  We had a nice hard week of practice and it carried over into the game.  It was a positive step and we just need to keep it up."
   Ken Funnye led the offense with eight carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns.  He also completed both of his pass attempts for 48 yards.  Larry Brown rushed for 47 yards and a score on seven carries while Jalil Fillmore added one touchdown on the ground.
   Andrews will face its toughest test of the season this Friday when they travel to Timberland to take on the Wolves, who are ranked number two in the latest Class AA poll.
   "It will be another valuable learning experience.  To get better, you want to play the best.  I was able to do some good things over there and they're a top-notch program.  I want to see this school get to that level.  It will show our kids where we're at, where we need to go and what it's going to take to get there," Blanchard said.
   Even serving as defensive coordinator the last five seasons at Timberland, Blanchard doesn't feel he has any kind of advantage heading into the matchup.
   "Once you get film on them you know what they're doing, so I don't think it's an advantage that I used to coach there.  If you do a good job of watching the film you kind of get the same feel for everybody.  Probably the only thing that helps is knowing certain personnel because I saw them first-hand.  Art does a good job of making sure he's not tendency-oriented," Blanchard said.