Palmetto Pigskin's Kingstree Preview
When WPDE Sports and PPP travelled to Kingstree in early August, John Jones was set to begin his first season as Jaguars head coach, but a difference in philosophy had Jones leave. Brandon Cantrell has been installed as Kingstree's interim head coach. The Jaguars have athletes and Cantrell will try and utilize them.
Craig Smalls is the 2A 100 meter champ in track and ran a 4.29 in the 40 at the Shrine Bowl combine. Smalls will also play safety and Jones says they have to get him the ball as much as they can. Smalls had six TD’s and 28 catches in 2009. Those humbers should go up. Joining Smalls in the receiving corps is Semaj Tisdale who will joins Smalls in the secondary and goes by the nickname of Butter.
With Renaldo Grate gone, there’s a youngster taking over at quarterback. Darius Dukes, a rising sophomore will try and settle in quickly at the varsity level and get the ball to Smalls and Tisdale.
Among the seven starters returning is most of last year’s offensive line that doesn't have size, but great footwork which allows the Jaguars to employ multiple blocking schemes. Daniel Bradley and Kelvin Pasley are the leaders on that unit. Defensively, 9 starters are back on a unit that ranked 14th in the area giving up just under 24 points a game.
Talent is never the issue in Kingstree. Coach Jones and the Jaguars hope they can harness that talent and improve on last year's 4-6 mark. With traditional powers Manning, Timberland and new 2A power Lake City in their region, the Jaguars will likely have to battle Bishop England and Andrews to get into the 2A post-season.
