High school football: Rocky Mount Academy using camp to sort out positional battles
By PATRICK MASON
Sports Writer
Saturday, August 3, 2019
On a back field on the Rocky Mount Academy campus is where the four-man blocking sled can be found. It was positioned against a row of trees, and the football team, preparing for a series of drills, first had to lift and turn the sled around so it could be pushed across the field.
The task of picking up the heavy metal structure required the assistance of nearly every player on the varsity roster. It might sound like overkill, but the Eagles had just enough bodies. Of the 13 players on the varsity roster, just eight were at this weekday practice.
Eagles coach Terrell Hudgins is hopeful that he will be able to expand the roster with the help of a couple soccer players to aid in special teams. But for now, RMA is low on numbers as it works to fill a rash of positions vacated by graduations.
Among the key losses from last year’s team is quarterback and defensive back Isaiah Thomas, and running back Jacob Braddy. Some linemen have moved on, as well as the core of what was a talented linebackers group.
In the case of filling the spots left by Thomas and Braddy, the two main pieces on the Eagles’ 2017 NCISAA state championship team, positional battles over the next few weeks will help sort it out.
Among those working toward the starting quarterback position is Caleb Chesis. The senior played wide receiver in the past, and is now taking reps at quarterback.
“I’m going at it at quarterback right now,” Chesis said of competing for a new position. “I’ll still be able to run some plays out of slot to take advantage of my receiver background. I think we’ll be able to confuse some teams because it might be me at quarterback for one play then someone else for another.”
Chesis is quick and agile, so one of his best traits is using his speed. At quarterback, he’ll get to showcase that ability by scrambling, something that Thomas used to extend plays and punish teams by drawing in eager defenders. Chesis took note, and aims to swipe a few of those moves for his own.
“Isaiah was the best,” Chesis said. “He has the strongest arm, and he’s faster and bigger than everyone. So while I might not be bigger, I’m trying to learn from him the way he scrambled. He did that so well, so I think for me I can change the game scrambling with my legs, too.”
The Eagles will also be running a no-huddle offense this year as the team will use arm bands to help with play calling. In the past, the quarterback would have to run over to the sideline to receive the play call, then run back to relay the play to the rest of the team.
Now, the process is more streamlined and it potentially opens up a wider range of plays at a given time.
“We’re running no-huddle this year, so instead of the quarterback running to the sideline we can just get set and Coach can call it in from the sideline,” Chesis said. “It opens up a lot of opportunities because we can have more plays at our disposal and we can check and change to things quicker.”
One of the upsides to having a slim roster is the amount of practice reps goes up for each player. After all, there’s less players to spread around. Guys like Jackson Bryant, a senior tight end and defensive end, noticed right away that he could get meaningful work in during practice.
During a footwork drill this week, the team focused on high-stepping around obstacles before having to catch a ball at the end. By the time a player raced back to the end of the line, it was his turn again.
“Since there’s less of us there’s more reps to go around,” Bryant said. “You don’t get that rest that you would normally get. In previous years we had some more lines and stations, and now when you get back it’s time to go again.
“It’s things like that where you realize how important being in shape is. Injuries will hurt us, and while other teams might be able to sub we won’t have that luxury. So for me, my stamina is big. Really, we’re all trying to get to the point where we don’t get tired.”
Eagles file
Coach: Terrell Hudgins (5th season)
Last season: 4-4 (lost in 1st round of NCISAA 8-man playoffs)
Season opener: Aug. 23 hosting Southampton Academy (Va.)
Key losses: Isaiah Thomas, Jacob Braddy, Chandler Gazaway, Tanner Jernigan, Peyton David
Fast fact: With a 4-4 record last season, RMA came close to having its first losing season since 2012 where it went 4-6. The Eagles have been dominant ever since, including winning two state championships in 2014 and 2017.
By PATRICK MASON
Sports Writer
Saturday, August 3, 2019
On a back field on the Rocky Mount Academy campus is where the four-man blocking sled can be found. It was positioned against a row of trees, and the football team, preparing for a series of drills, first had to lift and turn the sled around so it could be pushed across the field.
The task of picking up the heavy metal structure required the assistance of nearly every player on the varsity roster. It might sound like overkill, but the Eagles had just enough bodies. Of the 13 players on the varsity roster, just eight were at this weekday practice.
Eagles coach Terrell Hudgins is hopeful that he will be able to expand the roster with the help of a couple soccer players to aid in special teams. But for now, RMA is low on numbers as it works to fill a rash of positions vacated by graduations.
Among the key losses from last year’s team is quarterback and defensive back Isaiah Thomas, and running back Jacob Braddy. Some linemen have moved on, as well as the core of what was a talented linebackers group.
In the case of filling the spots left by Thomas and Braddy, the two main pieces on the Eagles’ 2017 NCISAA state championship team, positional battles over the next few weeks will help sort it out.
Among those working toward the starting quarterback position is Caleb Chesis. The senior played wide receiver in the past, and is now taking reps at quarterback.
“I’m going at it at quarterback right now,” Chesis said of competing for a new position. “I’ll still be able to run some plays out of slot to take advantage of my receiver background. I think we’ll be able to confuse some teams because it might be me at quarterback for one play then someone else for another.”
Chesis is quick and agile, so one of his best traits is using his speed. At quarterback, he’ll get to showcase that ability by scrambling, something that Thomas used to extend plays and punish teams by drawing in eager defenders. Chesis took note, and aims to swipe a few of those moves for his own.
“Isaiah was the best,” Chesis said. “He has the strongest arm, and he’s faster and bigger than everyone. So while I might not be bigger, I’m trying to learn from him the way he scrambled. He did that so well, so I think for me I can change the game scrambling with my legs, too.”
The Eagles will also be running a no-huddle offense this year as the team will use arm bands to help with play calling. In the past, the quarterback would have to run over to the sideline to receive the play call, then run back to relay the play to the rest of the team.
Now, the process is more streamlined and it potentially opens up a wider range of plays at a given time.
“We’re running no-huddle this year, so instead of the quarterback running to the sideline we can just get set and Coach can call it in from the sideline,” Chesis said. “It opens up a lot of opportunities because we can have more plays at our disposal and we can check and change to things quicker.”
One of the upsides to having a slim roster is the amount of practice reps goes up for each player. After all, there’s less players to spread around. Guys like Jackson Bryant, a senior tight end and defensive end, noticed right away that he could get meaningful work in during practice.
During a footwork drill this week, the team focused on high-stepping around obstacles before having to catch a ball at the end. By the time a player raced back to the end of the line, it was his turn again.
“Since there’s less of us there’s more reps to go around,” Bryant said. “You don’t get that rest that you would normally get. In previous years we had some more lines and stations, and now when you get back it’s time to go again.
“It’s things like that where you realize how important being in shape is. Injuries will hurt us, and while other teams might be able to sub we won’t have that luxury. So for me, my stamina is big. Really, we’re all trying to get to the point where we don’t get tired.”
Eagles file
Coach: Terrell Hudgins (5th season)
Last season: 4-4 (lost in 1st round of NCISAA 8-man playoffs)
Season opener: Aug. 23 hosting Southampton Academy (Va.)
Key losses: Isaiah Thomas, Jacob Braddy, Chandler Gazaway, Tanner Jernigan, Peyton David
Fast fact: With a 4-4 record last season, RMA came close to having its first losing season since 2012 where it went 4-6. The Eagles have been dominant ever since, including winning two state championships in 2014 and 2017.
