Latest / Huddle Up! / Huddle Up! Season 1 , Episode 2

Transcript

Huddle Up! Season 1 , Episode 2 · Huddle Up!

• Paul Durham: Hello everyone, this is Paul Durham, and it's time to huddle up for the Wilson Times Sports Podcast, bringing new conversations with the coaches, athletes, and people who make our local sports special. Welcome to episode two of Huddle Up the Wilson Times Sports Podcast. It is high school football season. It kicks off Friday night, August 21st, with a full slate of games. And the two teams that played for North Carolina High School Athletic Association championships last fall, Wilson Prep and Hunt, are both on the road. We're going to speak with Tigers head coach Phillip Dickens ahead of their game at 7A finalist Clayton on Friday, while Hunt head coach Juan Jackson will talk about his Warriors opening game at Lee County on Friday night. Hello everyone. I am here with head coach Philip Dickens of the state 1A champion Wilson Prep Tigers. Coach, you guys won that state championship last year with major contributions from those 11 seniors. Some of them were there for four years, including your son Manny. Most of them were there for two or three. That was the core of that team. So in a sense, you are starting over. Although not Coach Phil Dickens: Yes. Paul Durham: necessarily from scratch, and I'm sure you're going to tell me why it's not from scratch, but why do you think this team is a state 1-A championship contender again? Coach Phil Dickens: Well, you know, a lot of people are worried about building a team. I've focused on building a program. So when you have a program you plug and play. And I'm super confident in the group that we have, even with the early struggles we've had. we're s we're very talented and a lot deeper than we were last year. as I mentioned to you a couple of weeks ago, the biggest thing for us right now is just the immaturity and gelling together. We've got a few new guys in the mix, five to be exact. And just getting them guys comfortable with playing with each other. so I I believe in the program. I believe in the process. And I believe in the schedule that we have non conference to really get us to where we need to be and again I I just believe in the system. Paul Durham: Well, the system last year was a lot of leaders and those kids that have been through the fire of three previous years and now this year there's a few of a few of the kids from last year are back obviously, but it seems like the leadership void it's wide open. How is that going for the team? Coach Phil Dickens: Well, I'm not happy with it, right now, to be honest with you. I have some kids that are capable of being leaders, but we haven't really had that guy to step up and say, Hey, this my team and and like a Travon Usher did last year and I'm, you know, praying to God that once we had a couple of guys to come in, I feel that once they get comfortable, I already see the the traits in and I I I feel very comfortable, confident that You know, we will get that out of a few of the guys that that we have. Paul Durham: All right, so I haven't spoken with you about your team's second scrimmage Friday night at the high school OT Jamboree at Wake Forest. How did you guys do who did you guys scrimmage and how did you do? How do you feel about the way your team performed in that second scrimmage? Coach Phil Dickens: We scrimmage Warren County, a team we have beat three times in a row when we was in their conference. So I knew Coach Hunt was really anxious to get back at me and they have a team that they predict to challenge Tarboro this year in the 2-A East. it started off rough. we left the school and they're doing major construction on 264 and we sat in traffic for forty minutes. So time we pulled up, we had to run off the bus, got about twenty minutes to warm up, which is not our routine. It really threw us off. you can call me a little superstitious but I like doing things a certain way. And we just wasn't prepared. open and play of the game. I did something very uncharacteristic and I take full responsibility. I opened up with a pass. you know, gotta understand I'm preparing for a week one, not this scrimmage So I wanted to get my quarterback comfortable and I felt Warren County is very aggressive, especially with their D Bs. They like to go a zero coverage, which is man to man, and I felt that we went deep on early, we would surprise them and we could get an extra or early score. It would shift the momentum 'cause they already had the momentum by being on the field prepared, ready to go. And my quarterback for some reason checked he had a little bit of pressure. I think the lights got him initially and he checked down to the running back out of the back. Field Malicah Perry which is not the number one option in that sense. And it got picked off for a touchdown. So we went down early. we finally got our composure back. Nadarius Daniels broke a sixty six yard run. I mean, and that guy can fly. No, if he got a crease, he was gonna take one and got us back on the board. We was down eight six 'cause we didn't get the extra point. Then they came back, we had a blown coverage. our cornerback, Amir Nelson Gibson Nelson got caught looking in the backfield and which is a young guy mistake, you know, I don't hold him accountable for that. I I really hold a D B coach accountable for that 'cause we never should teach a D B to look in the backfield. less, you know, in a a a a zone set. Or you know, but They got us on a long touchdown, which really ended up being the only score. You take those two mishaps away, even when I was playing probably worse than we ever have, it's a different game. So I was not happy. I wasn't happy, you know, organizational wise and again, the process we didn't d we didn't complete the process yesterday. And it showed on the field. I saw, you know, personnel wise we got some guys in the wrong place and that's what the scrimmages are for. So our grade us at about a C. but we're gonna learn from that and be better when comes, you know, Friday against Clayton. Paul Durham: A little bit about some of these kids. You named some names already of some kids who did some things for you last night. Coach, tell me a little bit more about some of the other Tigers this season who may turn some heads because you got a whole bunch of new ones. Coach Phil Dickens: Well, of course Tyquan Whitaker, he's he's our guy from last year. you know, I know Manny led us in receiving, but I would say Tyquan was one of our better deep guys. I mean he a lot of speed, have played a lot the last two years. so he brings a lot of experience to us. expecting great things from him on both sides of the ball. of course Zalik Cannady returning was a freshman. rival All American. he's going through some adjustments. We was trying to move him inside, which I like him better outside. So I'm gonna put him back outside. But I told him it was important that he learn both preparing for the next level. so I'm looking for him to have a big year. also a kid that I really, really love is Brandon Bruno. we've been playing him at DN he's a true leader, but he's still learning to play the position. He's long athletic and gonna call problems on the outside. when you talk about newcomers, of course Justin Hicks, first quarterback we've ever had, but you know, I do realize I have to spend a lot more time with him. It's a lot different when you got Travon who thinks like I think 'cause he'd been around me a long time. So I have to put a lot of more time into Justin to get him settled. Bryson McNeil gonna really challenge Justin at that quarterback position. Of course, he's been in the school, one of the top baseball players in the school, and played point guard last year for the basketball team. Didn't play football last the last two years, which I really know that hurt him because he would be one of these guys already receiving offers. He's that kind of athlete. David Porter that transferred over from Nas Central is big for us. he's a guy, you know, you don't replace a Travon, but he's one he can wear that five pretty good. run hard. he will be a back that'll see fifteen to twenty carries for me a game. exciting guy. on both sides of the ball. he's gonna do big things for us. And I spoke about Nadarius, Daniels. I I thank God that God brought moved his daddy to Wilson prep, well, to Wilson. He stays about five minutes from the school. So, you know, that was a blessing for him to drop in our lap, man. He is a game changer. he hit the crease last night, man, and he was gone. But the biggest thing that I saw from him was he came down from safety. He covers from sideline to sideline like no other. really wanna focus on getting him to where, you know, we can get him recruitable. He come from Southwest. And you know, I I don't think he was being prepared academically for college, but we're gonna really focus on that. 'cause he is a next level player. But he came down and made a big hit on the running back, but didn't wrap up. And man, I was like, my god, he should have wrapped up. The boy bounces off of him, take off down the line, and he runs the boy down to make the tackle. Now That's the type of effort, you know, college coaches like and he's gonna be dynamic for us once he gets in our system and get in shape. Kam Best is a returning you know, two year starter. He'll be a senior this year. we have him at center, he'll play some defensive tackle. Also Shimar Williams. we have flirted, we're putting him at safety, but He tackled so well I I want him in the box and he played big last night. He had a little wrist injury that I'm praying is not much, We got a young kid, Dakota Teasley, transferred in from Wayne County, a freshman. right now the game is real fast for him, but once that settles in, he got a big body, six six foot, six one, about two eighty-five. so he's gonna only get bigger and better. And to Tanile Jones, TJ, is flat out special, but he's one that'll miss a lot of practice time. We gotta get him acclimated to the to the offense. He plays linebacker and he's small, and I know everybody gonna run at That's a bad mistake because he he's just a next level guy bring a lot of energy to our team and I'm excited, real excited about him. And last but not least, Keenan Howard has the ability to be one of the best linemans we had. He just gotta get out of his own way. he served recently served some suspensions and gonna continue to serve some suspension until he understands that it's gonna be my way. Paul Durham: Now, one last addition I wanted to ask you about, one a little closer to your heart, I guess, is your middle son Isaiah, is your now assistant coach, defensive coordinator. I know you're excited about having him there. You guys sort of buzz on and off of each other on the practice field, on the game field. I watched you out there. How's it been so far for you to have him here on your staff? Coach Phil Dickens: Well, it's been a dream come true. You know, I was always taught as a kid by my uncle, he told me, men do what they want, boys do what they can and I've had the opportunity to do what I want and I think Mr. Woodard and and the Wilson Prep administration by hiring my son, even in the building as a teacher, but also getting him an opportunity to coach with his daddy. To believe it or not, I I wouldn't be a coach right now if it wasn't for Isaiah. coming out of Forest Hill Middle School, he was sought after by everybody. Hunt at the time, I think Coach Raper was at Hunt. He wanted him bad in that summer, Coach Raper transferred over to Northern Nash and of course Hennett. But everybody in the area wanted Isaiah, so I ended up taking him to East Wake 'cause I ended up moving to Wake County. He played there. Started as a freshman on a very great team that they had that year, one of the better Eastweight teams that they've had in a while. And knowing the Nash wanted them so bad, Coach Raper gave me an opportunity to coach. And I know it was because of Isaiah. but I ended up, you know, doing well and bought into what Coach Raper had taught me and and we was very successful as a J V program that year. And that's where my career took off. But I say I'll bring youth to our staff, someone that have just got through doing it. I think he's gonna be a great head coach. That's what I'm preparing him for. But he's brought a level of professionalism to our team. He's exposed some some lack of coaching that we've had over the last couple of years that I think talent has covered up. but man, it is a dream come true. Paul Durham: Well, coach, I'm more than grateful for you to come on here and talk to me on this preseason or the last preseason episode of Huddle Up as you go into the season opener Friday night at Clayton. 7A finalist Clayton. And I'm sure you guys are gonna be ready to play because you came off a loss there last year. But I just wanna thank you for coming on and hey, we're gonna talk to you again sometime during the season. Coach Phil Dickens: All right, man, take care. Paul Durham: Hello, I'm here with Hunt High Head Coach Juan Jackson to talk about the Warriors season coming up and coach you coming off a 12-3 season and your first trip to a state championship game at Hunt last year, just the second ever for the Warriors. And I gotta ask you right away, what was your biggest takeaway from that experience? Juan Jackson: Paul, my biggest takeaway from that experience was just being prepared mentally as well as as well as physically. coaches and players alike. You know, you have to be totally focused so that you can eliminate all distractions and focus on every aspect of the game. That way you eliminate all mistakes that you know that you could possibly make, and then you have to almost be perfect in your play. Paul Durham: Now that was obviously not a great experience for Hunt last year to lose to Shelby Crest, but it is a building block for this year for sure for this group, I would imagine. Juan Jackson: Certainly. And our off season, you know, it hasn't it hasn't been easy. There were plenty of distractions throughout it. however our guys have persevered through it and overcame the adversity and they're coming together as a unit, playing together as they should be. they bonded together well in the off season. Paul Durham: You had some graduation losses obviously every year. But how hard or easy was it for you to get this group together and on the same page going into the season? Juan Jackson: not very hard at all. You know, you know, losing a state championship game was very disappointing to players and coaches alike. And so working in the off season extremely hard was a goal and for them to come come together as a brotherhood, so again, the young guys have c come along and worked hard with the older guys who've given us tremendous leadership and they bonded together well. Paul Durham: All right, so tell me a bit about your second scrimmage that was Thursday night at Enlo and Raleigh. I have not spoken with you about this. Tell me a little bit about what you saw, what you were encouraged by, and what you feel like you guys really need to work on this week. Juan Jackson: we were extremely pleased across the board. this time of the year we all know that you have to get your guys in game shape. And with it being so hot these past few couple of days, just getting them acclimated to the weather, you know, during that wet bulb time, you know, you have to completely shut down as far as equipment, you know, take helmets off, shells and just getting yourself together mentally, as well as physically. But, you know, we we certainly have to establish some depth in s certain positions, but we were extremely pleased with the performance of our guys overall. Paul Durham: Let's talk about some of those guys. Juan, who are some of the guys who have stood out for you, for your team this preseason, not just Thursday night, but throughout. Who are some guys we're gonna look at at Hunt this year and think, you know, those guys are the guys that are getting it done every week? Juan Jackson: of course our quarterback, Xzayvion Mez Harris, number two. running back Doryan Jones, we call him D Baby, number twenty-four. we have an underclassman that has come up from J V wearing number twenty running back, Xavier Dublin. He's been very promising. Then of course a few linemen, Braxton Hall. Zacharius Dickinson who's playing on both sides of the ball, defense attack, offense guard. a couple of sophomore linemans, Caleb Blower you also have a junior Darrell Wynn, a couple of young receivers moving up. Kamari Barnes number seven, Jaden Newsom, number five, Jahkeal Creech, number one. those guys offensively, you know, have shown s some good things. Paul Durham: No, at the end of last year you knew that your receivers were gonna need to have a bit of an overhaul because of the guys that graduated. How has that looked for y'all so far, the the receiving core? Juan Jackson: Again, you know, just those guys are young and they're still learning the system, but they have shown a lot of promise in these last two scrimmages. They're blocking well, catching the ball, running good routes. So they're just gonna get better day by day and week by week. Then defensively, you know, of course we had we have Randy James, defensive end, Nick Bynum defensive end, outside linebacker, Travoris Cooper, inside linebacker, Kane Mason, who was injured last year, playing corner number zero. Jameer Forbes, who also was injured. we moved him from safety to corner. Paul Durham: All right, coach, you know what it takes to get to a state championship game. obviously last year was last year. You can't expect this year to go exactly the same way, but I think the biggest difference is you guys aren't gonna sneak up on anybody this year. What has to work well for Hunt to win a state championship? And what cannot happen if the Warriors are going to win a state championship? Juan Jackson: we have to be perfect in all three phases of the game. Each and every game, our goal is to win all three phases, kicking game, offensively and defensively. If not all three, definitely two out of three. So we just have to be solid across the board and be consistent, especially on offense, keeping the chains moving and and scoring points. While on the other hand the defense has to stop people and force them three and out. And That'll keep us, you know, in ball games and hopefully very successful. the kicking game, you know, we're we're working on that diligently every day. 'cause we're gonna have to be able to force people or pin people deep and let our defense do its thing. so just basically being consistent and and scoring points and and solid across the board in all three phases of the game. Paul Durham: Tell me a little bit about your new kicker, Talon Mayo, who's taking over for Will Doll who was a shrine bowl kicker for you guys last year. Where is he really fitting the bill so far and where does he need to sort of work to pick up? Because I know Will really did a lot of things well, especially kicking off. so I just want to get your update on on Mayo's so far. Juan Jackson: of course he's a soccer player and so he has a lot of power. it's just a matter of him working on his technique in regards to placing the ball. but he has a very strong leg and a lot of promise. He's not a Will doll yet, but we think he can be eventually. and he works hard every day in regards to being better as a kicker. learning how to be a kicker. you know, soccer is totally different from football, but he's doing a great job thus far and he will do a a tremendous job for us throughout the season. Paul Durham: Will say Hunt does have a great place kicking tradition for the football program. Well coach, you guys kick it off Friday night at Lee County. So best of luck to you this year. I'm sure we will be talking to you again. Juan Jackson: Yes, sir. Thank you, Paul. Greatly appreciate it.