CCA hungry as inaugural LHSAA season nears
August 30, 2012
Braves believe skill players will pave the way
August 30, 2012
It has been 1,413 days since the Ellender High School football team won a game – a 28-21 triumph against Morgan City on Oct. 17, 2008.
After 33-straight losses – the Patriots are ready to get the gorilla off their backs and get another W.
Victory is the only words on the minds of Ellender’s coaches and players this summer as the team prepares for the 2012 season.
“We just want to get one,” senior athlete Ralph Singleton. “And then once we get the first one, we want to let everyone else know that we’re coming for them, too.”
Talk is cheap – the Patriots believe they have the talent to break out of their slump.
Offensively, Ellender returns nine starters from last year’s group that scored 20 or more points in five of 10 games last season.
Leading that group of returnees is quarterback Dustin Crappel, who passed for 1,300 yards in just five games before missing the second half of the season with a shoulder injury.
The quarterback said he has battled some shoulder soreness in the summer, but he fully expects to be 100 percent when the season starts.
He added that he plans to return to 2011’s statistical level of output.
“I’m fine,” Crappel said. “The injury won’t be an issue. I’m ready to play.”
But Crappel also has weapons at his disposal.
Senior athlete Ralph Singleton will return to the Patriots’ attack after having an explosive year in 2011.
Singleton is a utility player in Ellender’s offense and is capable of playing halfback, receiver and athlete positions.
“He’s our do everything offensive player,” Washington said. “He does a little bit of everything for us and he does it all well. He’s a guy that we’re really counting on.”
Also in the mix for the Patriots are skill position players like Kevin Luchien and Thomas Johnson.
“We have some guys who can make some plays,” Washington said. “Offensively, skill-wise, we’re in pretty good shape.”
“The weapons are there,” Singleton agreed. “We have a lot of guys who are capable of making plays to help us get into the end zone.”
The challenge for Ellender’s offense will be up front.
The Patriots return just two starting lineman from last year’s unit, sophomore Trent Moore and junior Ryan Williams.
But while Ellender will have inexperienced linemen, they will have strength in numbers.
Washington said the Patriots have close to a dozen bodies up front – a luxury they didn’t have in years past.
At practice, it is easy to see that the new players possess size.
“We have size,” Washington said. “We have some guys like Corian Gray who is 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds – a sophomore. … They are young. When you only have two starters returning on the offensive line, it’s obviously a concern. But our biggest thing is just to teach and to improve them as the year goes on so that we can do some different things offensively.”
“They are learning,” Crappel said. “They are just getting the hang of things, but they’ll be good. You can see they are talented.”
While Ellender’s offense tries to polish its offensive line, the defense will try to be better in all facets.
Ellender allowed more than 42 points per game in 2011. In the final three games of the season, that number ballooned to a whopping 59 points allowed per game.
Despite the poor finish, the Patriots believe they will be a better defensive bunch in 2012 because of eight returning starters.
Leading that group will be All-District players like Justin James and Wilshawn Jones – both of whom have added mass in the weight room this summer.
“Those two guys are sort of the catalyst,” Washington said. “They need to really cause chaos for us.”
Crappel said so far in practice, the defense has done a good job flexing its muscles.
“They really look good,” Crappel said. “They have worked hard and are definitely doing better than they did last year. I think they will be very improved from last year.”
Improvement – that seems to be the word on everyone’s minds around Ellender.
Washington believes his team has all the tools necessary to win games.
The next step is a change in mindset.
Ellender had late leads in a few of its games in 2011, but found ways to lose.
The coach said learning to close opponents is the next phase of the program’s development.
“We just have to get to the point to where when we’re close, we’re finding ways to win over finding ways to lose, like we’ve done in years past,” Washington said. “Ideally, we’d get the win out of the way early. If we do, then look out, because I think we’re capable of making noise.”
Singleton agreed and said he’s tired of the jokes and jabs – he’s ready to get respect for his program.
“I’m hungry,” he said. “I promise I’m giving it 110 percent every time I’m out there. And that’s not just me – that’s everyone. We all want it. We all hear what everyone says about us and we want it all to stop this year.
“Whether it does or doesn’t is up to us. We will decide whether or not this year will be different.”
Ellender quarterback Dustin Crappel lines up for a snap during practice. The Patriots believe their quarterback will have another solid season in 2012 as the team searches for its first victory in 1,413 days.
