New looks for Braves, Silver Foxes

The last thing anyone expects at a Lamar-Cheraw game is an aerial showcase.

But Friday’s Morning News Game of the Week might provide a little more fireworks than normal.

Both teams, especially Lamar, are likely to run at lot more plays out of the spread formation since each offense has been revamped since last season.

Lamar coach J.R. Boyd decided in the spring that the Foxes’ best bet for this season was to put four wideouts on the field.

“We’ve got a lot of good returning receivers and a good QB,” Boyd said. “But we lost our entire offensive line. We didn’t feel utilizing the blocking scheme we had last year was the best fit for us, so we’re going to try to make quick throws and let our offensive line grow.” 

Much of the offense will rely on how quickly quarterback Trevor Norris and his receivers get in sync. There have been bright spots in the scrimmages and jamborees, Boyd said, but the timing and the route running have to improve.

On defense, the Silver Foxes bring back an experienced group that improved as last season wore on. They will have to compensate for the loss of All-Pee Dee lineman BJ Goodson, who is injured and out for a while.

“Losing BJ hurts, but other guys just have to step up,” Boyd said. “We’ve done pretty well in scrimmages thus far, but Friday’s a big test.”

Very big.

Lamar hasn’t beaten Cheraw since 2004. Last season, the Braves rushed for 232 yards in a 42-0 thumping.

Travis Small, the state’s second all-time leading rusher, and Montrell Evans are no longer in the backfield. The duo combined for 2,734 yards in ’08.

So far, the Braves have used a running-backs-by-committee-approach in the preseason, with Sammy Merriman and Ivy’on Richardson getting the most carries.

“We’ve seen some good things out of all our backs,” Cheraw coach Johnny White said. “We’re looking for a little more consistency, in blocking and in holding on to the football.

“But we’ve made progress on both sides of the ball. We’re just trying to figure out what we do best on offense right now.”

The Braves had been working out of the spread formation in practice some, White said, but they turned their attention this week back to fundamentals and blocking in power running formations.

On defense, the Braves lost leading tackler Kenyatta Gary, but return two other linebackers, including Merriman, and a solid defensive line led by Jonathan White.

Getting pressure on Lamar’s quarterback will be key, Johnny White said.

“We’ve done pretty well against the spread over the years,” he said. “We just have to make sure our defensive line can perform well and put some pressure on. Our defensive backs also have to do a good job of staying in coverage.”