Emerald Vikings Work Out 61 Varsity Football Candidates In May Drills
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Greenwood—With 61 varsity football candidates working hard in May drills at Emerald High head coach Tad Dubose is hoping year six will be the yet season yet for the Vikings.
“The May drills allow our us to identify potential newcomer players to replace our graduating seniors, and just to get a feel for what newcomers might can step up in situational roles if needed,” said coach Tad Dubose. “We have even had several players we thought would be returning to help us either quit football, or move away and you never benefit from that when it happens.
“We have a lot of players working hard and competing for positions right now and that is a good thing,” said Coach Dubose. “Since May drills, we have transitioned into 7-on-7 drills and we have so many holes to fill on the back end of our defense that we are hoping to get our defensive backs a lot of work in the month of June. We are busy getting g way for the season that will be here before you know it.”
Six starters are on back on offense. Rising sophomore Beau Hite returns at quarterback after passing for nearly a 1,000 yards last season. “We will have a more experienced group of receivers this year and it has been fun watching Beau play catch with several of them in drills,” said Coach Dubose. “We should be able to complete some deep balls down the field this season.”
Two of those returning receivers are slot receiver Carson Wright and junior receiver Camelle Hill (6-2, 180). Running back Chris Dean also returns to lead the running game. Two offensive linemen return in senior Tyler Moss and John Michael Haynes. Varsity newcomer WR Colson Marino is a deep threat for the team this season with his excellent speed. Another go-to receiver might become basketball player Jardin Porter who has decided to give football a try also.
On defense Markeith Anderson returns after he made all-region as a sophomore. Both defensive ends are back, in senior AJ White (5-10, 200) and Mylik Wright (6-1, 230). Jalon Dunlap (5-11,205) also returns at outside linebacker.
The team’s top tackler also returns in senior inside linebacker Christian Foster (5-11, 190) who had 150 tackles in earning all-region honors last season. “Foster is getting a lot of interest from the colleges,” said Coach Dubose.
Jeremiah Ramos-Chapman (5-11, 200) returns at insider linebacker as well.
In the secondary the only returner is Carson Wright but help is on the way. Edmond Jennings and Charlie O’Chambers are competing for playing time at one safety slot. BJ Larkson and Markevious Coleman are holding down the corner back slots right now.
Warren Wright is a combo licker for Emerald and he returns also.
Emerald will scrimmage Batesville-Leesville and Barnwell in August. They will also participate in the Abbeville Jamboree where they play Dixie and in the Greenwood jamboree they will play Crescent.
Coach Dubose is assisted by Thomas “Doobie” Dubose, Carson Smith, Jarrett Jones, Cody Cockrell, Tombo Hite and Austin Sergeant.
