Published: August 28, 2008 01:44 am            

Rebels hope to fly high again with Byrd

MADDEN – If Leake Academy’s Austin Byrd is planning to break his own state record, he’ll have to do it with a new quarterback getting him the ball.

Last year, Byrd caught a record 24 touchdowns from Allen Johnson, who also set records for both single-season (39) and career touchdown passes. After Johnson’s graduation, wide receiver-turned-quarterback Dylan Gregory takes over under center for the Rebels.

“The kids have rallied around him,” said seventh-year Leake Academy head coach Brian Pickens. “We feel good about him back there.”

Byrd highlights a receiving corps that looks to keep the scoreboard active again in Madden. Last year, the Rebels averaged 37 points per game en route to a 10-2 record.

“You go out there wanting to outscore your opponent, but I think last year people tried to take away some stuff and that opened up other things,” Pickens said.

Lining up on the other side of Byrd — a 1,000-yard receiver last year — is Brian Saxon, who Pickens calls a carbon copy of his counterpart because of his added threat for defenders.

“It really prevents defenses from saying ‘we’re going to lock up on (Byrd)’ because we’ve got someone on the other side that can catch just as good.”

The job of protecting Gregory belongs to a line led by senior guard Travis Coate. Josh Crane is the other guard, while Blake Carpenter and Travis Loper are the tackles. Bobby Hoffman will anchor the Rebel offensive line at center.

Senior Peyton Pierce expects to see playing time on the line as well after missing all of last season following a car accident.

“He’s been working hard to get back in shape,” Pickens said of Pierce, who returned to the field midway through training camp.

In the shotgun, four-wide set, running backs Caleb Brantley, Taylor Winstead and Caleb Burns will also see time at slot back. Playing at tight end, Dennis Tull and Dylan Wall will provide more targets for Gregory, who has adapted to the quarterback position rather quickly. “Nothing really fazes him,” Pickens said. “If something bad happens, he’s not going to get rattled.”

On the defensive side of the ball for Leake, the strong point is the secondary which features Austin Lewis, Burns and is led by three-year starters Byrd and Saxon.

“Those two and (defensive end Travis) Coate will be able to provide us with some leadership over there,” Pickens said.

With plenty of depth on the defensive line, substitutions will be common for the Rebels’ D. Hank Coleman, Chris Gannan, Drew Thornton and Crane will play on the line, while Ethan Bobo, Kanon King, Crosby McDonald and Brantley will handle linebacking duties. “The biggest thing we’d like to see is some people getting some rest from offense to defense,” Pickens said.

After losing in the opening round of the 2007 playoffs, there is some added pressure on the back-to-back defending MPSA District 2-AA champs this season.

“They’ve only lost one regular season game in three years,” Pickens said of the dozen seniors on the roster. “They feel like they have a lot to live up to.”

        

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