Latest / Huddle Up! / Huddle Up! Season 1, Episode 11
Transcript
- Paul Durham: Hello and welcome to Huddle Up, the Wilson Times Sports Podcast. This is the first season still in episode 11. We are going deep in the high school football season. We've got two weeks left in the regular season, but a huge game Friday night between Sallie B. Howard, and Wilson Prep for the 1-A Eastern Carolina Athletic Conference Championship. The game is going to be at Gary W. Farmer Field on the campus of ENCSD, which is a home game for the Eagles. Coach Marquis Spell and Kennari Artis from the Eagles, who's a senior who plays just about everything, and are here with me today. to start this podcast, we're going to talk to head coach Philip Dickens and Jaydin Johnson from the Wilson Prep Tigers in a little bit. But first of all, let's jump right in with Coach Spell and Kennari. Coach Spell, what are your thoughts on on this team? This team that you started four years ago as an eight-player team, now in its second season in the in the NCH SAA, as well as playing 11 man, getting to play the defending state champions, because that's what Wilson Prep is for the conference championship, and they are also the defending conference champions. To have your team in this position, what are your thoughts on it? Marquis Spell: Very, very proud. proud of this group, proud of the work they've put in. whether we're planning defending state champions or just any other team in this position, it's been great the past four years working with most of these guys. in the past two years, being in the high school athletic association has been huge for us and to get the opportunity to compete for any type of championship this early. It's a great feeling for us. I'm just proud of the guys and overall work that they've put in this year to get to this point. Paul Durham: No doubt for you guys to get there has been a minor miracle. We'll talk about that in a little bit, but right now you know what you're up against the Wilson Prep. you guys played last year. You seen what they do. They have multiple offensive looks. You can't count on them to do anything. They do have done it well, even this year with some different players. They've got a deep lineup, a deep cast of players. They've got big game experience, have competed in and won a state championship. What are you gonna tell those fifteen or sixteen guys who are gonna be in uniform for you Friday night to get them ready to run through the wall and go out there and win that ballgame? Marquis Spell: we don't need to say much to these guys. For us to have fifteen to sixteen guys, maybe seventeen on a good night, each weekend is is in itself speaks volumes for our crew and what we've done over the past few weeks with the numbers that we've had. it didn't matter who we were gonna be playing against this weekend, each game is big for us. Each game is big for us, especially with the numbers that we do have. Keep doing what we're doing. Keep playing hard. Keep coming focused. Keep practicing well. And things will pay off. We just want to see where we are, you know, see how we match up. We know we have a long way to go, especially with the small numbers that we have. But I don't have to tell them anything different. They understand it's another game. It's next man up. No complaints. Let's go out here and do what we need to do. Paul Durham: Well, there's also a some simplicity found in having very few players. It's like you said, you really have to tell They know what they've got to do 'cause they've been through it. Kennari you have been through it. What's it been like on the field this year? 'Cause you've been playing there as long as they've had football. You guys had probably twice as many players just a couple of years ago and you only needed eight to play. What's it been like being on the field as one of those guys? 'Cause you don't really come off. I'm sure you You're probably on most special teams, offense, defense. What's it been like for you out there on the field and and and your teammates? kennari A.: Well, it's definitely been challenging because having a smaller roster means everybody has to step up and contribute. we don't really have the luxury of taking plays off or getting or like not executing our assignments and things like that. So we have to depend on each other and push through adversity. So I'm also proud of the guys that who stayed committed because at the start the season, I mean, a lot of them didn't didn't really think they will come this far into the into the conference or to into the season at all. So for us to be here now, it really I feel like it puts fire underneath our guys to play harder and to stay committed to the team. So so it's really it's easier to say that like things could have went a different in a different direction, but through all the trials and tribulations, we choose to keep showing up for each other and keep playing. Paul Durham: You're right. some schools may have just folded. They may have they've already done it. A few schools have said, we're not gonna play football anymore this year. First flight has done that. but you guys have soldiered on. What kind of conditioning are you guys doing, Kennari Because you have to be in better shape than just about any team around. kennari A.: Well, we condition every day at practice. 'Cause I mean, since we were short on numbers, it ain't really like every every rep is it's like a different person. It's kinda like the same people. So even though you'll think that, we'll take like a thirty second break in between, nah, we just keep doing the reps back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And then even after that we still go into more conditioning, either running up hills or up d doing some type of form of of exercise to stay in shape. Paul Durham: Coach spell. Obviously you wouldn't have game plan this, but I mean it's h w break it down for me. How have you managed to get to this point with barely enough players for a team? I know things have had to go right for you, but I mean, what was the game plan? I mean, you've you've got to come up with ways that most coaches don't have to worry about. How have you managed and you and your staff managed to get to this point with these guys? Marquis Spell: Well, we gotta take what we have and and and move forward. That's all we can tell those guys. You're who we have, we're gonna work hard, we're gonna get better, we're gonna not make mistakes, that's gonna cost us games, but we've got to continue to put forth the effort with who we have. Do we wish we have more guys? Absolutely. Every day in practice, I think those guys wish they had more guys. During the games, we wish we had more guys. But we don't. And that's the reality of it. We gotta do what we have to do with what we have. We wanted to play football, we're here, so let's play. It's the next man up. That's the attitude that we have. You gotta grow up fast. Got a lot of young guys playing. We gotta grow up fast and take care of business. Do the best you could do. That's that's all we're asking y'all to do with what we have. They play eleven, we play eleven. When we turn around, we just don't have a whole slew behind us, but we still can. Perform with what we have. Do the best you can do. Let's go out and play. Paul Durham: Well, guys, that's the only way you can look at it. And I tell you, to go through this, these guys are gonna remember this experience, I would think, for the rest of their lives. They're gonna remember playing high school football anyway, but just to be able to do that and say, we had 15 guys on the team on some games. Marquis Spell: Yeah. Paul Durham: Kennari tell me this. What do you think is the path of victory for Sallie B on Friday night? What do you guys need to do to beat Wilson Prep? If you're gonna pull the upset, and it would be an upset because they are defending state champions, you guys played them last year, you know kind of what you're in for, even though they got some new players. And then what do you guys really need to guard against the most? kennari A.: Well, I've been thinking about this since last Friday, the after that game. Because I feel like for us to beat Wilson Prep, it's it's gonna come down to what our coaches said at the when we f when we lost to KIPP that game was either going to make us or break us. Meaning that that right there, it's like a a realization of w like what do we need to win? Like is it was it was it the people or was it our character or stuff like that? And more or less like I'm not worried about my teammates having energy. Like that's a good thing, but could also be a bad thing. That energy could cost us on the field. And that that could give us like penalties and things like that, make us lose yards. And I feel like that's what's gonna decide the game. Cause like I look at football as like war. Every move you make dictates whether you're gonna get killed or not. And so every move, how you go about things is very important if you want the the path that you want. So we really gotta stay disciplined. In order to beat prep and make sure that we we're lifting each other up and keeping the same energy each play and moving on. But I well I feel like what we have to guard the most when playing prep is definitely their passing, watching the quarterback and their runs. So like really majority everything that that they do on the field, cause like not not staying focused and and just Like that one time that one second that they they didn't like watch film or didn't really understand what was going on could be what cost us the game or a a big play that we needed. So every every stop is gonna matter. Paul Durham: All right. You gotta tell me this, you like I said, you've been part of the football program since it started as an eight player independent program and now in the second year as an NCH SA sixteen. How does it feel to be part of school history? I mean, not too many people come along. I mean, people go to other schools, they've been playing football forever. how's it feel to be part of this and and knowing you you gonna you and your teammates have sort of broken ground and continue to do so with Sallie B and and not just playing football but succeeding at kennari A.: Well it's it's been a blessing to be part of something bigger than myself. Not everybody gets the opportunity to help build a program from like from the the very beginning and knowing we're like part of the foundation like adds on to just being there in the process. So we're not just playing for ourselves, it's helping us create a legacy for our players who come after us. And I hope the work we put in makes it easier for the future players to come in and take the program even further. Like cause since I've been at school and knowing like what like my achievements or how many tackles I make during the season, like peep my my own like classmates or students that come to the school like taught to me and or like even the younger generation were like they're like Like, yeah, you have dreams of going to like a higher level, but like they come to me saying, I'm gonna get more tackles than you, I'm gonna do this and I'm gonna do that. But it's also like that it shows me they're taking a step at a time that the the fact that I can be that person to them to make them want to strive for like the stars and and reach higher, it just makes me makes me want to play harder and shows like how much of the impact I've I've had on like on the at the school for their sports. Paul Durham: Well, you definitely have had an impact and and not just football, basketball and track as well. Coach Spell. Let's get down to brass tacks. Is this the biggest football game in Sallie B. Howard history to date? Marquis Spell: I don't know if it's the biggest game. I I actually think last year's first round playoff win was probably the biggest game in the history. One to, you know, get to the playoffs and then actually win a game. for us I think was huge. Now this is a big game. simply because it's we're playing and defending state champions and secondly because we're playing for a championship regardless of of who it is. this early for us with the numbers that we do have. again, I think that plays a a major role in this game and how it looks, 'cause simple fact that some teams have already folded, but we chose to continue to play because we love the game of football. And the guys have a desire to win and they're putting in the work, especially these last few weeks, and they understand that it's gonna take hard work to move forward. Whether you have thirty Or whether you have the fifteen to seventeen kids that we have, it's gonna take hard work. It's all gonna be the same. The hit, blocking, and tackling's gonna be the same. Just we gotta put that work in to make sure we're doing things the proper way. Paul Durham: All right. Well, I know you guys have been putting the work in and hopefully it's gonna work out. I think we we hear a lot about Tiger Pride and and rightfully so with multiple basketball state championships and the football state championship, but I think the Eagles have some pride too. So it's all gonna be on the line Friday night. I look forward to seeing it. both of you guys, thank you for coming on and and talking with me today and look forward to seeing you guys this weekend. Marquis Spell: Yes, sir. Appreciate you having us. Paul Durham: We are back with Wilson Prep head coach Phillip Dickens and Tigers player Jaydin Johnson. And they are going to tell us about this big game Friday night against Sallie B. Howard that will decide they won a Eastern Carolina Athletic Conference Championship. And coach is the the defending champion coach, you guys won it last year, unbeaten fashion. Just want to get your general thoughts on facing this fellow Wilson school for the ECAC championship this Friday night. What do you know about the Eagles and what are the keys to victory for the Tigers? Coach Phil Dickens: Well, I I must say that Coach Spells have done a excellent job this year. I I told a few friend of mine the other day if we voted today, I would vote him as conference coach of the year because of the job he done. I know they they have about five or six guys that I think could play anywhere around here. and and they they they have been physical by what we have seen on film. but I've feel we just gotta play our game. we are the defending state champions. We are defending conference champions. So I think they need to be figuring out how to stop us. I feel very confident going into this game. I don't think they have seen the likes of us speed team speed wise. And I just feel we need to continue to do what we normally do, gap down backer, completing our assignments and playing mistake free football. We have had about we've averaged about five, six turnovers a game, and that is crazy when you look at, you know, just being a disciplined team. So we look forward to correcting that this week. and, you know, as I told my guys, all season we have not played a complete game. So we look forward to playing a complete game on Friday. Paul Durham: Well, coach, what do you like the most about your team right now? As you get we're we're coming into crunch time. This is you know, obviously this game's gonna decide the ECAC championship. We got one more and then the playoffs start. You guys will probably get a buy. But, you know, now's the time. what do you like the most about this team right now? Coach Phil Dickens: Well, what what I love about this team is its depth. you know, we played against Farmville earlier this season, even though we lost that game. we played without five starters, five key starters. And, you know, that game came down to the wire. but right now that's the biggest plus compared to last year's team, is that, you know, we lost one of them one or two of them main guys, we was in trouble. But we're deep at every position right now and which, is always luxury for a head coach. and I like the way that we have gelled You know, we had the adversity early in the season, but have already been there before, been there, done that. The kids understood and we didn't come unrivaled. so just the togetherness of this team is what I love. we are young and we lack a lot of leadership in a lot of places, but Again, this is a very, very talented team. I said at the beginning of the year and people laughed at me. I told them that this team was actually better than last year's team, talent-wise, I believe. So, just last year we just had a team full of leaders and, just flat out football players. And so I I love I love what we have. I love the staff. the staff is really gelled together. We we we we come out here and we work hard, but we have a lot of fun. And you know, if you look around the area, people are copying what we have done. And and and this team have been a great example of keeping the tradition here at Wilson Prep alive. I tell people we don't have a team, we've built a program and that program gonna keep going and keep going. So again, I I thank God for this team. It is one of the best that I've coached since I've been here. Paul Durham: Well, Coach, you touched on one big key, I think, Friday night, and that's depth, Sallie B. They might only have fifteen guys, but I mean they've been doing that all year. I think that's nothing new for them. But, you know, it definitely makes a difference when the other team's rolling with 30 kids who can go in and out of the game. So that's something to look forward to. Jaydin Johnson, this question is for you. You were on a big member of last year's team. A lot of guys have gone graduating. What's the biggest difference between this year's squad and last year's besides, you know, obviously the different people on it? What's what's what's different about this team? Coach Phil Dickens: the difference between this team and last year's team is we basically we you know we we try and help each other a lot. Probably even way more than last year's group. You know, after our games we sit, we talk, we fix, and you know, we just go on to the next game. Paul Durham: Was it a little different for you this year because really the guys last year, the seniors, they were the four year group. they had been there, well not all of were there for four years, but most of had been there. It kinda the leadership sort of fell on you and some of the other guys who were back this year. what's that been like with the new guys coming in? Have they adapted to that championship mindset at Wilson Prep? How what can you tell me about that transition period, which is I guess still going on even nine games in into the ninth week of the season. Coach Phil Dickens: with us being well with us bringing in more younger players, it was kind of a struggle at the start getting them on board with everything. Cause you know, you still they still are coming out of that phase where they're not getting mature, but they're bit getting better at it. We got a young guy, Teneil Jones. We call him we call him TJ, but he's definitely one of those guys that you see has matured fast and you know just to have one of those guys or the y all the younger guys on board now is is different. Paul Durham: Well, Jaydin tell me this. You guys go through this non conference s portion of the schedule, just like last year. It's a murderer's row. You guys schedule games that you knew you probably weren't gonna win, especially playing, you know, like 7-A Clayton. last year that sort of created that prepared y'all for the postseason journey. This year different different sort of setup, but the same tough challenges. How do you think this year's team grew through those non conference games? Because I'm sure there was a lot of adversity at times on the field. Coach Phil Dickens: Well yes. Like like you said, we scheduled some games that we probably weren't gonna win. But like I said, like the younger guys are coming to maturity and with all those games, all the stuff that we learned from it, those guys everybody everybody there just wanted to better themselves to make sure when we came into conference, everything would be different. Paul Durham: Well, it it has so far been quite a bit of difference from the non conference part of the schedule. Well, Coach Dickens, tell me this. you guys have been you have climbed the mountain and you are 1-A champs. You know what it takes to do that. In your case last year it took everything you had to beat Robbinsville, which is typical of a state championship game. you know what the landscape is like. As far as going through the 1A, there could be a curveball for you guys if they put you in the Western region. but then again, the RPIs I guess rankings will keep you guys at home if you can. But given all of that that you know about what's going on this year, what do you think is this team's biggest challenges? What are the biggest challenges that you guys are gonna face trying to repeat as 1-A state champs? Coach Phil Dickens: Well, to answer that question, I want to go back to something that you and Jaydin just mentioned about the non-conference schedule. When I scheduled those games, it was every intention in my mind that we were gonna beat them guys. Clayton is Clayton. Everybody see what they're doing across the table. we shot ourselves in the foot with them turnover-wise. everybody we of course we beat Greene Central, which is doing well right now. Coach Wilson got them playing well. Then you have I think it was Paul Durham: North Eastern. Coach Phil Dickens: Northeastern. We had Northeastern beat. We had them. Coach Moore, man, super talented team. And then, you know, we gave away a game Farmville to Coach Cook and his squad. hats off to them though. so again, as a head coach. even though those games was preparation for the stretch, I went into those games with every intention of winning those games. And, you know, with that mindset, you know, we scheduled those games because we felt when we got the conference we the game would slow down for us and it has. And for the teams that we're playing, the game has speeded up for But getting back to that state championship, you know, a lot of luck comes into those runs too, if you be honest. And Just getting a lot of having a roster that has a lot of kids that that are returning that know that atmosphere, knows how it feels, having championship coaches, you know, having my son Isaiah Dickens now is the D coordinator, along with Coach West. Isaiah has won what, two state championships in high school and three in college. So we have guys that have that experience, that have been down that road. So I feel it's gonna really propel us this year. I'm excited about the run. As I shared with Mr. Woodard jokingly a couple of weeks ago when they mentioned we was going out west, I said it doesn't matter where we go, we still have to beat the team in front of us. So whatever they decide to do, we pray that we stay in the east, but we gotta finish strong so we get a high seed. So if regardless, early in the playoffs, people are coming to us. so I I j I feel good. I I truly feel good. And I feel fried tonight, we're gonna give a people a little taste of what our run is gonna be. Paul Durham: All right, well, there you go. We have it Friday night at Gary W. Farmer Field on the campus of Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf, which is right beside or right behind Sallie B. Howard's where they play their home games. Suffice to say, that's probably the biggest game that's been played at Gary W. Farmer Field since the ENCSD last played. It's eight player football and was competing for championships in that. Sallie B's had some games there obviously last year, but they didn't factor into the conference race. This is a big one. Wilson is ready. Hey, thank you both for coming on here on this beautiful Monday morning. And we will see you guys later in the week. All right. Coach Phil Dickens: Thank you. Have a blessing. Thank you.