E.C. Glass relying on run in Seminole debut

Joining the Seminole District, where teams thrive or fail based on their ability to run the football and stop opponents from doing the same, E.C. Glass could experience mixed results this fall.

The Hilltoppers should excel at the former, featuring a stable full of backs with big-play potential running behind a veteran offensive line. But they could struggle at the latter, with depth on defense a primary concern.

“The Western Valley District throws the ball a little more, with a few more spread teams, and the Seminole District is known for smashmouth football,” third-year coach Richard Trent said. “We will ultimately be successful throwing the ball (but) we’re basing a lot on our running game.”

Glass’ backfield has an abundance of both speed and size, including a trio of juniors — running backs Traves Wesley and Lamont Hamlette and quarterback James Gaines, who are each right around 6-feet, 200 pounds and also play outside linebacker.

“We’ve got several running backs that have pretty good speed and carry pounds,” Trent said.

The Hilltoppers nearly lost Wesley and Gaines before the season even started when they were struck by objects larger than themselves. Wesley separated his right shoulder when he was hit by a taxi while riding his bike home at night last week.

Gaines, meanwhile, took a hit to the chest from a lineman while playing outside linebacker in Friday’s scrimmage against Appomattox. At first, it was feared he may have cracked his sternum, but x-rays revealed it was just a bad bruise.

Wesley has been limited to non-contact, no shoulder-pad practices, but should be back in time for Glass’ opener against Franklin County, next Friday at City Stadium, as should Gaines.

When he’s healthy, Wesley’s quickness, sharp cutting ability and power up the middle make him as dangerous as any back in the area in the open secondary, especially running out of the Hilltoppers’ split-veer attack.

“We feel like he’s probably the most explosive kid on the team,” Trent said.

In the preseason, another junior, Bashime Simmons, has played a key role in Wesley’s place, with Sam Craighill showing plenty of potential as well.

But none are as potent as Wesley, who runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash and is difficult to drag down when the Hilltoppers get the momentum going on offense.

“Downhill running,” he said. “We have the whole starting offensive line coming back and the line has developed a lot, too. We’ve got to get the flow going.”

“Our line helps us out a whole lot,” added Gaines, noting Spencer Latham, Saul Hicks, Buck Burton, James Wright and John Leamon are returning with experience.

Trent noted R.J. Gaines and Lashawn Gordon also are vying with Leamon for starting time at left guard.

Also the No. 1 pitcher on Glass’ baseball team, Gaines is a dual threat as both a running and a passing quarterback.

He’s looking forward to trying his hand at the shotgun, which the Hilltoppers have added for fourth-quarter situations.

But he likely will gain as many yards on the ground as he puts up through the air.

“He can throw the ball well, but James is 6-0, a little over 200 pounds, and he’s pretty quick,” Trent said. “He’s a physical kid.”

He’s not afraid to take a hit, either.

“I like contact,” Gaines said. “Contact’s where it’s at. You can’t be scared.”

Hamlette, who started at quarterback on the JV team last fall and will back up Gaines, provides a third powerful option in the running game.

“I’m just an athlete, really,” he said. “I’ve got a balance. I’ve got speed, I’ve got power.”

“You have been known to lower your shoulders,” Wesley added.

Should they reach the end zone, or get inside the red zone, Glass has a near sure thing in placekicker Jake Prest, who kicked a 45-yard field goal last season and was nearly automatic on extra points.

“We’re excited about our kicker,” Trent said, noting he is being recruited by several Division I and II schools, including William & Mary. “He’s going to get a lot of interest. The thing we need to do to help Jake out is we need to score points so he can kick extra points and kickoffs. His kickoffs are huge.”