There was an identity crisis at Southeast Whitfield in 2013. Much was expected of the football Raiders in Sean Gray's second season, but the team just wasn't sure what it was, especially on offense.
Southeast began the season as a run-first, pound-it-right-at-you type team. It ended a 4-6 campaign in the spread, with new faces in new places. As camp opened this year, Gray believed the Raiders had an offensive identity that starts with speed.
"We're in the spread now and that's where we need to be, considering this is the fastest team we've had," Gray said. "We'll run a pretty balanced spread, but the key is we have speed at pretty much every position."
That starts at quarterback, where junior Will Swantic was timed at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash during the FCA Camp at West Georgia University, and also includes running backs Tyler Brown (4.4) and Devon Fields (4.6) and receiver Corey Barnes (4.4). Another receiver, Colter Faith, and 6-foot-2 tight end Brit Hasty were clocked at 4.7.
After working all summer in passing camps, the confident Swantic is eager to hit the field for real.
"We've got more talent than we've ever had," said Swantic, whose father, Scott, was the last quarterback to take Southeast to the playoffs in 1986. "With Devon - who's a big kid at 6-foot, 200 pounds - along with Tyler and Corey it's crazy. I mean, tell me when Southeast ever had that many players with that much speed?
"I bring a lot of explosion and big-play ability to the offense. I feel I can take it to the house on any play, and we have a bunch of guys who can do that. It's going to be a fun season."
The Raiders all believe they again have the talent to end the long playoff drought, and Gray believes lessons learned from last season will pay off in one huge intangible area.
"We struggled last year with chemistry," he said. "We had talent but we couldn't come together. To me, a big part of it was we were in uncharted territory. We weren't used to being picked to win on Friday nights, and, honestly, we struggled with that. It was very frustrating, and I think this team learned from it."
- Lindsey Young
SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD RAIDERS
Head coach: Sean Gray (6-14 in two years here; 23-38 in six years overall)
Last year: 4-6, 1-4 in Region 7B-AAAA
Returning starters (O/D/K): 9/6/2
Control panel: The Raiders have plenty of playmakers, including QB Will Swantic (6-1, 175, Jr.) but it's up front where they may make the most improvement with the likes of OL/DL Hunter Sanford (6-2, 260, Sr.) and OL/DL Martin Nunez (6-foot, 250, Sr.).
New producers: With 15 starters returning it will be tough to crack the Southeast lineup, but big things are expected of RB Devon Fields (6-foot, 205, Jr.) and TE/DE Brit Hasty (6-2, 200, Jr.).
Items of interest:
4 - The Raiders are eying a fast start, as their first five opponents combined for four wins last season.
32 - Seniors returning who lettered last season, making it the most experienced class in program history.
"The key to a good season is completely mental for us. We have talent and size and they work very hard, but we've got to overcome that culture of losing here. Once we overcome it, it's going to take off." - Sean Gray
2014 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 22 - Coahulla Creek
Aug. 29 - at Murray County
Sept. 5 - Gordon Central
Sept. 26 - at Heritage *
Oct. 3 - LaFayette *
Oct. 10 - at Pickens County *
Oct. 17 - Gilmer County *
Oct. 24 - at Cartersville *
Oct. 31 - Ridgeland *
Nov. 7 - at Northwest Whitfield *
- Region 7-AAAA game