High school football preview

Amherst first-year football coach Cecil Phillips will be baptized into the Seminole District by fire tonight when the Lancers host Brookville in a season-opening clash between two of the area’s preseason favorites.

“It’s a huge game, no doubt about that,” Phillips said. “Here in the Seminole, every Friday night’s going to be a battle. Obviously, we’ve got a heavyweight contender right out of the gate.”

Indeed, while Amherst won its third straight Seminole District title and went on to take its third state trophy last fall, the Bees are coming off their best season since winning the state crown in 1999, advancing to the state semifinals. They have a strong nucleus of returning starters, especially at the skill positions and in the secondary.

“Everybody’s excited about this matchup,” Brookville fourth-year coach Jeff Woody said. “This is one of those games, if you can’t get excited about this, you shouldn’t be playing football. There’ll be a lot of emotion involved for both teams.”

Phillips and the Lancers share the Bees’ enthusiasm, particularly playing on their home turf, where their speed becomes even more of a factor.

“Our focus has been on this game since I was hired,” he said. “We’re very excited about it. We’ve got to be ready to strap it on tight because we know it’s going to be a very physical ballgame.”

Last August, the Lancers ran all over the Bees 42-7 at Stinger Stadium, with quarterback Peter Rose gaining 186 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Now, younger brother Anthony Rose, who played receiver last year, takes the reins at a new position in a new offense, the Wing-T.

“He’s made a real smooth transition,” said Phillips, who ran the same system at Group AAA King’s Fork in Suffolk the past four seasons. “He has a good grasp of the offense and excellent leadership ability.”

Rose’s backfield features junior wingbacks Mario Vaughan and Jamar Glover and Jamal Glover, his twin at tailback.

Brookville counters with multi-dimensional athlete Logan Thomas, who is in his second season at quarterback after starting at wide receiver as a freshman and sophomore. He and the Bees have the versatility and flexibility to switch between two extremely different formations.

“With the offense we have, we can line up in the I-formation one play and the very next play line up in the spread in a no-huddle,” Woody said. “It’s a two-headed monster. It’s a testament to the athletes we have on the field.”

Those include speedy tailbacks Stacey Houston and Lorenzo Smith and powerful fullback Jarrett Bateman as well as some gifted receivers — Chad Mason, who’s fast, Corby Weiss, who, like Thomas is 6-foot-6, and 6-5 tight end Zach McCray, back from a preseason foot injury.

The Lancers hope to take advantage of some mismatches on the offensive line, where they have their most experience.

“Our offensive line is going to be key,” Phillips said, noting Amherst starts Sean Clark (center), tackles Cody Stinnett and Charles Eubanks, guards James Rogers and Antjuan Harvey and Taylor Grubbs, one of Rose’s top receiving targets at tight end.

Woody is wary of Amherst’s attack, which may not be as volatile, but just as effective.

“Coach (Scott) Abell’s offense was a little more wide open,” Woody said. “This is more of a smashmouth brand of football.

“The Wing-T is a patient offense,” he added. “They feel like they’ll be able to move the ball down the field consistently and take time off the clock. When that wing-T’s working, it’s like a slow death for the coach on the other sideline.”

He knows the Lancers still have plenty of big-play potential.

“They’re very athletic,” Woody said. “With the speed they have, they can break one and bring it to the house. We’ve got to tackle, get to the ball and wrap up.”

Phillips predicts a defensive duel, not an offensive slugfest. As much as the Lancers’ offense has shifted gears, Phillips kept their 3-5-3 defensive package intact.

“We didn’t change anything defensively,” he said, noting he used the same system in Suffolk. “The kids enjoy it because you get to be aggressive.”

Linebackers A.J. Parrish and Tyrease Brown have been productive in the preseason, he said.

A near-capacity crowd is expected for the season-opener that could determine the regular-season district champion.

“If you’re going to attend this ballgame, you better get there early,” Phillips said. “Amherst County has a great atmosphere and excellent fan support. It’s going to be really electric Friday night. It’s going to be a war between two good football teams.”

“It’s unfortunate a game of this magnitude is the first game of the year (and not the last),” Woody add