Team Capsule: Darlington Falcons

DARLINGTON
Falcons

Coach: Justin Danner (2nd season, 2-8 overall, 1 year)

2008 projected finish
Overall: 1-9
Region 6-3A: 0-5

Schedule
Date Opponent (2007) Pick
Aug. 29 at Hartsville (9-4) L
Sept. 5 vs. McBee (8-4) W
Sept. 12 vs. Lamar (10-3) L
Sept. 19 vs. West Florence (7-5) L
Sept. 25 at South Florence (2-9) L
Oct. 3 at Marlboro County (9-3) L
Oct. 10 vs. Lakewood (3-7) L
Oct. 17 at Camden (3-8) L
Oct. 24 at Crestwood (11-3) L
Oct. 31 vs. Wilson (12-3) L

2007 results
(2-8 overall, 0-5 Region 5-3A)
vs. Hartsville L, 48-21
at Cheraw. L, 44-7
at Marion W, 13-7
at Lamar L, 36-7
vs. St. James W, 10-7
vs. Marlboro County L, 42-2
at Lakewood L, 28-14
vs. Lake City L, 16-13
vs. Crestwood L, 41-14
at Wilson L, 27-7

Top returners
FB Brad Knox; TE Maxie Jacobs; C Jeff Robinson; OL Ryan Greg; CB DJ Woodham

Key losses
QB Bootsie Gattison; WR Donnie James

Projected starters
Offense
WR Quashan Ross (Jr., 5-10/170)
LT Ryan Greg (Sr., 6-2/250)
LG Brandon Hudson (Jr., 6-0/190)
C Jeff Robinson (Sr., 6-2/260)
RG Ken Tranym (Jr., 5-9/200)
RT Roddy Huntley (Sr., 6-2/225)
TE Maxie Jacobs (Sr., 6-1/210)
QB Damon Dubose (Jr., 6-1/185)
RB Dominique Cooper (So., 6-1/200)
RB Clinton McPhail (Sr., 5-9/185)
FB Brad Knox (Sr., 5-11/200)
K None given
KR None given
Defense
DE David Debose (Jr., 5-8/205)
LT Brent Debose (Jr., 5-10/210)
RT Jacori Benjamin (Sr., X-X/XXX)
LB Brad Knox (Sr., 5-11/200)
LB Cam McCray (So., 6-0/190)
LB Dominique Cooper (So., 6-1/200)
LB Maxie Jacobs (Sr., 6-1/210)
FS Demario Goodson (Jr., 5-9/175)
SS Terrance Lowery (So., 5-10/180)
CB Denzell Woodham (Sr., 5-8/170)
CB Rodney Lighty (Sr., 5-8/175)
P None given
PR None given

Bottom line
Darlington coach Justin Danner said his team is prepared for the new season.
“We feel like we had a good camp,” he said, “and we feel like we are in better shape conditioning-wise this year. I think we spent most of our time in (the weight room) to strengthen ourselves before we can go out and play some of the folks we play against.”
Danner said the attitude of the team is good. He said last year was a transition for everyone involved. When a new coach comes in, he said, there is a period where everyone has to learn and get to know everyone else.
The Falcons had a new offensive system to learn and the style of a new coach, as well as Danner having to learn his new players.
This year, however, things are different.
“I think the attitude and moral is high now,” Danner said. “I think that is important as we go through the preseason.”
Offensively, Danner said the team has made some improvements and done some things well, but, like all teams, the Falcons have work to do. Danner believes the team will consistently improve throughout the season.
Senior Brad Knox will be a focal point for the offense at running back, and Danner expects him to have a good season. Damien Dubose will be the new quarterback leading the offense, and Danner is excited about his possibilities. Roddy Huntley, Jeff Robinson and Ryan Gregg will look to anchor the Falcons’ front line.
On the defensive side of the ball, the returning players should anchor the defense.
“They’ve got to keep working,” Danner said, “just on all of the fundamentals (of the defense).”
D.J. Woodham will lead the Falcons defense from the cornerback position and is poised to have a good season. Woodham also plays wide re-ceiver, running back and quarterback on offense. Danner said Woodham is a talented athlete, and the team plans to use him as much as possible.