Season PreviewThe Chesnee Eagles have a lot of confidence heading into the 2023 season as they are faster, stronger, and more experienced after a strong offseason, which they believe will lead to success this year. "We have really had a good offseason starting in January," said Chesnee head football coach Clay Lewis. "We have had a lot of kids in the weightroom, and we have improved in our strength and speed. The kids have really worked hard since January, and we had a good skill development period in March along with a great spring practice. I feel like we looked good in the spring game while also having a good summer." Looking to bounce back from a 2-9 season, the Eagles entered the offseason looking to become a team, but those plans changed as it developed organically this offseason during a weightlifting session. "The week before team camp I started to feel like we were starting to take a turn in the weight room," said Lewis. "The coaches didn't have to say a whole lot as the kids were in there working hard, leading each other, and encouraging each other. We had several good practices and weightlifting sessions early in camp. It was just a great week for us." What was originally scheduled to be a light lift in the weight room turned out to be a team bonding experience that saw fifteen players reach new max weights in cleans alone. "After practice, we had a light lift scheduled and we started doing power cleans and they started getting motivated," said Lewis. "We ended up with thirteen personal records, and we didn't go in planning for that. We had kids make big jumps in their max weights. We went in there for a light workout, and it turned into so much more. After that we went out to practice and had what I think was our best practice." After that practice and what he has seen this offseason, Lewis is excited for the 2023 season for his Eagles team. "I've told them all summer they are better than they think they are," said Lewis. "I can see they are starting to believe that and have confidence in themselves." He returns starting quarterback Kjay Proctor to execute an Eagle offense that switches from the triple option offense to a spread offense for the first time under Coach Lewis. "He has to continue to improve every day," said Lewis. "It doesn't matter what is going on, he always keeps his head up and is a great leader by example. He has had a good offseason for us." Proctor will be backed up by Carson Gossett, who will see the field in a plethora of roles for the Eagles this season. "It's big for us to have someone who is capable of playing multiple positions including quarterback," said Lewis. "I have really seen some growth in him this offseason and he is a good athlete, while also being a great kid." This season the Chesnee offense will feature one running back instead of the three featured in years past as Noah Lawter, Austin Bigford, and Jayden Williams are some players to watch for. "Noah and Austin have done a great job transitioning this offseason," said Lewis. "Lawter is nifty and has some good speed while Bigford is as well, but he is more of a power back. Jayden is coming along for us, and I feel like any of those three can come in and make an impact for us." Chesnee is returning starting wide receivers Kaylob Blanton and Kaleb Swaney as well as transitioning some of the returning A-Backs out to the slot. "Blanton and Swaney are our two top wide receivers on the outside," said Lewis. "Blanton is going to be one to be reckoned with this season." Kyle Martin, Hayden Webb, and Adonis Burgess are going to be in the slot for the Eagles. "Adonis, Hayden, and Kyle are all very good athletes who are good in space with speed," said Lewis. :I think all three of them will be threats, and we have to get the ball in their hands. They can play inside or outside and will still be involved in the run game." Chesnee will look to replace the departed Ezekiel Lazarin at tight end as Paul Martin will be tasked with filling that role this season. "Tight end for this season will be used depending on the matchup," said Lewis. "Paul has great hands at that position." Coach Lewis thinks one position group that will benefit from the scheme change is the offensive line. "They have adjusted well this offseason," said Lewis. "We have to keep working on our protections as we have a lot of experience coming back, and that should be one of our strong points. We are a lot stronger at every position but especially along the line." Some players to watch on the line are Clay Davis, Bryson Avery, Wesley Wilkie, Zabian Kendrick, Aiden Allen, Brycen Sprinkle, and Brandon Burrows. The defensive line returns several experienced players including Aiden Allen and Wesley Wilkie, as each started games at defensive tackle last season for the Eagles. One group that has a lot of experience coming back is the linebacker core as several players got experience due to injury as players to watch there are Gunther Gerstenacker, Jayden Williams, Austin Bigford, and Noah Lawter. Some younger players that will make an impact are Thadeus Gerstenacker, Quinton Gerstenacker, and Kale Thrift. "We have a solid group of linebackers and have good depth at the position," said Lewis. "The main thing I like about our linebackers is their athleticism, toughness, and nastiness." Chesnee is returning several starters in the defensive backfield as Adonis Burgess, Hayden Webb, Kyle Martin, and Kaylob Blanton. Other names to keep an eye on there are Braylon Blanton, Noah Lawter, Leonard De La Cruz, Marcus Linder, Kaleb Swaney, and Carson Gossett. "We have the ability to matchup with the opposition," said Lewis. "We have great depth and different body types that we can use to give us the best matchup." The Eagle said goodbye to two-year starter Ezequiel Lazarin last season as kicker and punter. Leonard De La Cruz and Mark Bishop are in competition for the starting kicker job while De La Cruz, Bishop, and Brenton Suddeth are in competition for the punting job. "Lazarin is going to be hard to replace," said Lewis. "I've been impressed with Leonard De La Cruz and Mark Bishop this offseason." Some players to keep an eye on this season who look to have breakout seasons are Kaylob Blanton, Mark Bishop, and Bradley Myers. Eagles Offense Adapting To Scheme ChangeThis season will see a change to the offensive attack used by the Eagles as instead of the traditional tight triple option, they will now operate this season out of the spread while still maintaining elements of the triple option offense that works in the spread. "Last year, we had athletes on the sidelines that we felt could benefit us on the field, and the new offense will allow us to put more athletes on the field," said slot receiver/running back Noah Lawter. This change will allow speedsters like Adonis Burgess, Kyle Martin, and Noah Lawter more space to operate. "It gives us a better chance to get out in space and down the sidelines as it will open up both the running and passing games for us," said slot receiver and running back Adonis Burgess. "We have a lot of playmakers, and this gives us the opportunity to make plays." It will also give the power backs like Austin Bigford more running room in the backfield. "This offense allows the play to develop further so that I can build up more speed downhill and find the right gap," said running back Austin Bigford. "This is a fast-paced offense, and I'm excited to see the passing game this season." It will also allow quarterback KJ Proctor more time to find receivers such as Kaylob Blanton and Kaleb Swaney on the outside, along with giving him more room to operate in the pocket. It will also allow the offensive line better spacing to operate as now opposing teams will not have of an opportunity to stack nine men in the box as they have in past years. "They way we run this offense is different than your typical spread," said Lawter. "We are fast paced with this offense and that helps us get us in a better rhythm." "It helps us move faster and more fluid, which will benefit us getting off the ball," said offensive lineman Zabian Kendrick. "We have looked good this offseason, and everybody feels confident about this offense." The offensive players are excited about the potential of the new offense as it will allow them to get the ball in the hands of their playmakers in space as well as hopefully putting defenses in a position to make mistakes that lead to big plays. Eagles Senior Spotlight: Noah Lawter And Adoniss BurgessChesnee seniors Noah Lawter and Adonis Burgess are the definition of the old saying, bloom where you're planted.
"If you watched Noah Lawter last year, you noticed he played hard on offense, defense, and special teams," said Chesnee head coach Clay Lewis. "What a lot of people don't know is that Noah would drive you crazy Monday through Thursday getting him to go. He has been a totally different kid this offseason. I think he has made the biggest turnaround from last season as far as attitude and work ethic and I look for him to have an outstanding season." "Adonis has worked hard this offseason rehabbing," said Lewis. "He was in there in the weightroom doing the lifts that he could do along with the other kids and stuck out to me that he continued to work and work. He is one kid that has really improved in the weight room from last season. He's added twenty pounds while maintaining his speed and I think you will see a better Adonis Burgess on the field this season. He is one of our motivators this offseason as he leads both vocally and by example." They are both entering their third season on the varsity squad and have went from young bright spots to now senior leaders. "Last year I was more of just an emotional leader," said Lawter. "This year I have adapted more into the role of leading by example. Coach Lewis teaches us that it's easy to be a leader when things are going good, but he wants us to be a leader all the time, during the good and bad." Burgess and Lawter know that if the Eagles are to reach their goal it will be led by their senior class. "We have to set the example," said Burgess. "We have to teach them right from wrong, and that when you make a mistake it will be ok." They are both excited about being senior leaders on this year's Chesnee football team. "It feels great that the younger players look up to me, like I did the seniors when I was younger," said Burgess. "I know I have to set the example every day and that carries a lot of weight." As with any leaders they both have people that they look up to and credit for helping them reach this point. "My father (Jermaine Burgess), he pushes me every day to be great and be a better man," said Burgess. "He sets the example for our family." "James Davis (former Chesnee assistant now at Clinton) really helped me develop as a football player and as a leader," said Lawter. "He helped me dedicate myself to the game." Comments are closed.
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