Hobgood looking to push for the playoffs
By Nick Terry sports@rrdailyherald.com | 0 comments
2014 Review
Hobgood Academy’s 2014 season was a tough one, according to head coach Brandon Lanier, as the team compiled a 4-6 overall mark that ended with a first-round loss in the postseason.
“We underachieved last year. The team underachieved with the ability it had,” Lanier said. “I don’t know why, but we just did. I felt like we should have been better.”
Said junior David Harrell: “It was all right, but it was a disappointment all in all; we didn’t get as far as we wanted to in the playoffs. We lost a few games that we should’ve won, but other than that it was all right.”
Returning Players
Despite losing more than half of last season’s roster, all of this year’s team will still be made up of returning players, according to Lanier.
Three players the coach said he’s going to be counting on production from are Tay Mosley, Harrell and David Bunting.
“Those three guys are going to be very important for our success,” Lanier said.
Fresh Faces
Lanier said the Raiders have no new players this year and will only be carrying eight on their roster throughout the year, just enough for the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association’s 8-Man football league.
Although each player on this year’s squad was around last season, Lanier said two guys will be stepping into new roles in Harrell and Bunting.
“It’s their first year running the ball; both possess the speed, but they’re untested at this point,” the coach said.
Offense
When it comes to the offensive side of the ball, Lanier said he’s not exactly set on what type of set or formation he wants to employ, but did mention he knows what philosophy he intends to have.
“We’re going to be a running football team, that’s basically all I can say,” he said.
The coach also said he intends to use Mosley as the lead back.
Defense
Lanier said he will utilize a four-man front on the defensive side of the ball.
Harrell said one thing he wants to see he and his teammates do this year under this formation is attack the ball and finish plays as a team.
“I think if we work together as a team on offense and work together as a team on defense, instead of having one-man plays and one-man tackles, we can have eight-man plays and eight-man tackles,” he said.
Special Teams
Much like the Raiders’ offense will revolve around Mosley, Harrell and Bunting, Lanier also said he plans for these three to man his special teams unit.
Harrell will handle the punting and kicking duties while Bunting and Mosley will both contribute in the return game.
Circle Your Calendar
Lanier said when he looks at the Raiders’ 2015 schedule no one game in particular stands out to him.
The coach said he wants his squad to devote the same attention and focus to each of its opponents and take things one week at a time.
“Our goal is to try to make the playoffs, try to improve every week and have small goals,” the coach said.
Harrell, Mosley and Bunting agreed with their coach, but also said they have their eyes on a game that takes place early on in the season.
“Halifax Academy. We lost homecoming to them by two points last year,” Harrell said. “It kind of killed homecoming so I want to get them back.”
The Raiders and Vikings are set to meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at Halifax Academy.
2015 Outlook
Lanier’s goal of taking it one week at a time carries over to what his hopes are this season for the Raiders as well.
“We’re trying to improve each week and make the playoffs,” he said. “My definition of success for this year’s team is for each kid to improve each week. That’s our No. 1 goal is to focus on each individual kid being successful and develop a complete team and develop leaders.”
Mosley added that one thing he thinks will help he and his teammates improve on the field is if they work together as a team throughout the season.
“Our goal is to just have a better team and to work together more, you know,” the sophomore said. “I don’t think that scoring is a problem for us, I think that just like coming together as a team is what’s going to really help us win games.”
Hobgood Academy opens its year at 7 p.m. Friday at St. David’s School in Raleigh.
By Nick Terry sports@rrdailyherald.com | 0 comments
2014 Review
Hobgood Academy’s 2014 season was a tough one, according to head coach Brandon Lanier, as the team compiled a 4-6 overall mark that ended with a first-round loss in the postseason.
“We underachieved last year. The team underachieved with the ability it had,” Lanier said. “I don’t know why, but we just did. I felt like we should have been better.”
Said junior David Harrell: “It was all right, but it was a disappointment all in all; we didn’t get as far as we wanted to in the playoffs. We lost a few games that we should’ve won, but other than that it was all right.”
Returning Players
Despite losing more than half of last season’s roster, all of this year’s team will still be made up of returning players, according to Lanier.
Three players the coach said he’s going to be counting on production from are Tay Mosley, Harrell and David Bunting.
“Those three guys are going to be very important for our success,” Lanier said.
Fresh Faces
Lanier said the Raiders have no new players this year and will only be carrying eight on their roster throughout the year, just enough for the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association’s 8-Man football league.
Although each player on this year’s squad was around last season, Lanier said two guys will be stepping into new roles in Harrell and Bunting.
“It’s their first year running the ball; both possess the speed, but they’re untested at this point,” the coach said.
Offense
When it comes to the offensive side of the ball, Lanier said he’s not exactly set on what type of set or formation he wants to employ, but did mention he knows what philosophy he intends to have.
“We’re going to be a running football team, that’s basically all I can say,” he said.
The coach also said he intends to use Mosley as the lead back.
Defense
Lanier said he will utilize a four-man front on the defensive side of the ball.
Harrell said one thing he wants to see he and his teammates do this year under this formation is attack the ball and finish plays as a team.
“I think if we work together as a team on offense and work together as a team on defense, instead of having one-man plays and one-man tackles, we can have eight-man plays and eight-man tackles,” he said.
Special Teams
Much like the Raiders’ offense will revolve around Mosley, Harrell and Bunting, Lanier also said he plans for these three to man his special teams unit.
Harrell will handle the punting and kicking duties while Bunting and Mosley will both contribute in the return game.
Circle Your Calendar
Lanier said when he looks at the Raiders’ 2015 schedule no one game in particular stands out to him.
The coach said he wants his squad to devote the same attention and focus to each of its opponents and take things one week at a time.
“Our goal is to try to make the playoffs, try to improve every week and have small goals,” the coach said.
Harrell, Mosley and Bunting agreed with their coach, but also said they have their eyes on a game that takes place early on in the season.
“Halifax Academy. We lost homecoming to them by two points last year,” Harrell said. “It kind of killed homecoming so I want to get them back.”
The Raiders and Vikings are set to meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at Halifax Academy.
2015 Outlook
Lanier’s goal of taking it one week at a time carries over to what his hopes are this season for the Raiders as well.
“We’re trying to improve each week and make the playoffs,” he said. “My definition of success for this year’s team is for each kid to improve each week. That’s our No. 1 goal is to focus on each individual kid being successful and develop a complete team and develop leaders.”
Mosley added that one thing he thinks will help he and his teammates improve on the field is if they work together as a team throughout the season.
“Our goal is to just have a better team and to work together more, you know,” the sophomore said. “I don’t think that scoring is a problem for us, I think that just like coming together as a team is what’s going to really help us win games.”
Hobgood Academy opens its year at 7 p.m. Friday at St. David’s School in Raleigh.
