Team Capsule: Hartsville Red Foxes

HARTSVILLE
Red Foxes

Coach: Jeff Calabrese (4th season, 49-37 overall, 7 years)

2008 projected finish
Overall: 5-6
Region 6-4A: 2-3

Schedule
Date Opponent (2007) Pick
Aug. 22 at Camden (3-8) L
Aug. 29 vs. Darlington (2-8) W
Sept. 5 at Richland Northeast (5-7) W
Sept. 12 vs. Wilson (12-3) L
Sept. 19 at Myrtle Beach (12-1) L
Sept. 26 vs. Spring Valley (0-11) W
Oct. 10 vs. Carolina Forest (7-4) W
Oct. 17 at Conway (9-3) L
Oct. 23 at West Florence (7-5) L
Oct. 31 vs. South Florence (2-9) W
Nov. 7 at Sumter (10-3) L

2007 results
(9-4 overall, 2-2 Region 6-4A)
vs. Byrnes L, 55-28
at Darlington W, 48-21
vs. York W, 69-35
vs. Camden W, 42-0
at Lancaster W, 30-19
at Ridge View W, 30-13
at Spring Valley W, 34-27
vs. Conway L, 36-28
vs. West Florence L, 17-3
at South Florence W, 42-14
vs. Sumter W, 40-28
Playoffs
at Conway W, 21-14
at Ridge View L, 38-34

Top returners
RB Dre Scott; OL Joe Hudson; OL Marcus Lunn; DE Damien Blakeney; DE Lee McDaniel; LB Chavez Gattison; LB Shawn Smith; DE Jamie Davis; DB Adam Peterson

Key losses
WR Jordan Lyles; QB Wil Newsome; RB Bennett Saunders

Projected starters
Offense
WR Pierson Singleton (Sr., 5-8/150)
LT Joe Hudson (Sr., 6-2/235)
LG Tray Sutton (Sr., 5-7/215)
C Daniel Easterling (Jr., 6-3/212)
RG Ryan Frazier (Sr., 6-1/230)
RT Marcus Lunn (Sr., 6-0/270)
WR Omar McDaniel (Sr., 6-0/175)
QB Jody Lyles (So., 6-2/180)
RB Eric Williams (So., 5-10/180)
RB Dre Scott (Jr., 5-11/170)
FB Ronnie Jackson (Jr., 5-8/155)
K Craig Anderson (Sr., 6-1/220)
KR None given
Defense
LE Lee McDaniel (Sr., 6-2/265)
NT Seth Lowe (Jr., 5-8/195)
RE Damien Blakney (Sr., 6-3/240)
LB Shawn Smith (Jr., 5-11/230)
LB Domineke Lighty (Sr., 5-8/170)
LB Chavez Gattison (Sr., 6-2/210)
LB Jacob Cole (Jr., 5-10/165)
LB Lorenzo Scott (Sr., 6-1/175)
FS Adam Peterson (Jr., 5-10/175)
CB Damian Dixon (Sr.,5-8/160)
CB Jamie Davis (Sr., 5-9/165)
P Craig Anderson (Sr., 6-1/220)
PR None given

Bottom line
The Hartsville Red Foxes enjoyed offensive success last year as the team broke school records in nearly every offensive category.
This year, however, head coach Jeff Calabrese insists fans will see a different team.
“There are not a bunch of marquee players or proven athletes out there,” he said. “This team is more of a lunch-pail type team. Their scrappy a little bit.
“We just have to understand that everybody’s got to play their part, and everybody’s got to play their part well.”
In recent seasons, especially last year, the Foxes have put on displays of offense. Last year’s team averaged over 400 yards of total offense per game. This year’s team will be more of a “throwback” team, Calabrese said.
This year’s Foxes will be more of an aggressive defensive team with an offense that intends to grind it out with opposition. Calabrese expects the Foxes to power the ball down the field on offense and stifle opposition on defense.
Shawn Smith has been making huge strides in his switch from fullback to linebacker. According to Calabrese, Smith has become the leader the team needs. He was selected one of the team’s captains, and Calabrese believes he is the first junior captain during his tenure as coach.
The team has also adapted well to the new defensive strategy and new defensive coach Rick Ostrander. Offensive play has been tough due to the defense at times during practice for the Foxes.
Damien Blakeney and Lee McDaniel are poised for big seasons, Calabrese said. He believes his two offensive tackles will have a stellar season as well. The battles between the tackles and the starting defensive ends have been fun to watch this pre-season.