Looking for wins

By Staff
Lee-Huntsville Generals switch regions, look to rebound from 2007 campaign
Kim West
HUNTSVILLE – Lee football coach Rick Daniel doesn't hesitate when asked what his team needs to compete in Class 5A, Region 8, which is regarded as one of the toughest regions in the state.
"We've got to learn how to win and not turn the ball over," said Daniel, who has led the Generals since 2006 after 23 years as an assistant at J.O. Johnson and Grissom. "There were a number of games last year where we had a chance to win at the end and didn't seem to finish the job or come through when it was close, specifically the J.O. Johnson, Etowah and Scottsboro games."
Lee moves from Region 7 to Region 8 this fall after a 2-8 record in 2007, a winless campaign in 2006 and a 10-3 mark with a state quarterfinal appearance in 2005.
Last season the Generals beat Arab 24-6 in Week 4 and blanked winless Southside-Gadsden 20-0 in Week 7 but lost to future Region 8 rivals J.O. Johnson and Butler, 6A Sparkman and Region 7 foes Etowah, Scottsboro, Albertville and Ft. Payne, the region champion.
"Region 8 looks to me like one of the toughest, if not the best, regions in the state," said Daniel. "Region 7 has been good the last couple of years but we weren't quite up to the level of Region 8."
Daniel hasn't seen film on second-week opponent Russellville yet but expects a challenging matchup against the Golden Tigers on Sept. 5.
No. 8 Russellville finished last season second in Region 8 with a 10-2 record and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Russellville last played Lee in the 2005 quarterfinals and won 45-27, and the Golden Tigers hold a 6-2 lead in the series, which dates back to 1962.
"We get the tough one right away when we play at Russellville," Daniel said. "Tradition-wise, Russellville, Athens and Hartselle are the best teams in Region 8, and without looking at everyone on film, I know going to Russellville for that second game won't be any fun."
Lee must replace six seniors, including starting tailback Ernest Duren, who signed as a linebacker at North Alabama, and Jarrett Burns, who will play at safety for South Carolina this fall and started the first two games at quarterback for the Generals before an injury prompted a move to wide receiver.
Despite these losses, Lee returns eight starters on offense and defense and will continue to utilize multiple looks on both sides of the ball. The Generals also return starting placekicker Garrett Mattix along with Dairro Reeves and Phillip Greene.
"We're multiple on both sides of the ball," Daniel said. "Offensively, we're a power running team that runs a good number of formations and spreads it out some. Defensively, we use a variety of looks with four-man fronts and three-man fronts.
"We have our entire offensive line and starting quarterback back but we lost our backfield starters and a wide receiver. We will also have both kickers back but we need to improve on special teams and protect our punter better."
According to Daniel, top returning players include wide receiver/defensive back Jeffrey Boyce (6-1, 165), quarterback/defensive back Raymond Russell (5-9, 148), tailback/defensive back A.J. Odoms (5-8, 158), wide receiver/defensive back Shedrick Askew (5-7, 151), linebacker/defensive end Trevor Washington (6-1, 210) and defensive/offensive lineman Xavier Norwood (5-9, 282), a three-year starter and the offensive line leader.
Daniel said Boyce and Askew are both college prospects, and he expects Russell, a converted wide receiver, to improve after seeing extensive playing time last season under center.
"Jeffrey Boyce has already been offered a scholarship to play safety by South Alabama, and there are several other schools looking at him," Daniel said. "Shedrick Askew starts at both defensive back and wide receiver for us and he's being recruited as a receiver.
"Raymond Russell will only be a junior but he played the last eight games as quarterback after Jarrett Burns was hurt," Daniel said. "It hurt our team last year having to put the wideout at quarterback but it's better for us this year because Raymond has that playing experience."
Daniel said Russell isn't a classic pocket passer but he can run and make plays under pressure.
"He's an option-type quarterback and a scrambler but the best thing about him is he's really heady under fire," Daniel said. "His first game at quarterback was at Ft. Payne, the best team in our region last year – he turned the ball over but threw for over 200 yards and made some big plays for us. He has a good head on his shoulders and hopefully will make better decisions this season."
In the spring game, Lee tied Butler 0-0 and lost to J.O. Johnson 7-0.
"Our biggest problems this spring was turnovers," Daniel said. "Defensively, we didn't give up any turnovers. We just need to take care of the ball."