Aug. 21—HARROD — Allen East head football coach Joel Billings does not want to look too far ahead.
However, with an all-senior offensive line and depth at the skill positions, Billings is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season.
In 2023, Allen East went 4-7 overall and 3-4 in the Northwest Conference. The Mustangs got into the Division VI postseason playoffs, where they lost to Anna in the first round.
Allen East returns 13 letter winners from a year ago, including 10 starters.
“We have a good nucleus back,” Billings said. “Right now, the offensive line has five seniors, which is pretty rare. I don’t know if we’ve ever had that while I’ve been a head coach.
“Skill-wise, Ethan Young (Sr., 5-10, 163, WR/DB) will be the top receiver coming back. We feel that we have a pretty good nucleus of guys that are all a little bit similar. Ethan Hershberger (So., 5-9, 148, WR/DB) is going to be a sophomore, who played some last year. Deacon Jones (5-8, 150, WR/DB) is a junior. He (Jones) has played at some skilled spots.”
Allen East also returns its signal-caller and starting running back from a year ago.
“Jackson Thompson (Jr., 5-10, 185) is back at quarterback. Last year was his first year (at quarterback),” Billings said. “Playing quarterback was not what he (Thompson) played in the lower levels. He has made some progress in the seven-on-sevens. He’s a great athlete, and really the kind of kid that you would want to play quarterback for you. … It’s somebody you would want, character-wise. We’re excited to have him back.
“At running back, Jacob Pinks (Sr., 5-10, 170) is returning. Miles McDorman (So., 5-10, 170) is a sophomore, who made big strides last year in practice and was out there on special teams. He (McDorman) had a good offseason.”
Last (regular) season, Thompson was 63 of 156 passing for 928 yards with six…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/high-school-football-allen-east-233300031.html
Author : The Lima News, Ohio
Publish date : 2024-08-21 23:33:00
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