- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,264,860
- Reaction score
- 59
STUARTS DRAFT — Stuarts Draft began football practice July 31. A week into practice, coach Nathan Floyd is pleased with what he's seen.
"They've been willing to learn," Floyd said. "They're pushing themselves, getting out of their comfort zones, which is good to see early in the season. The younger kids are doing a good job of getting up to speed."
The Cougars made a run to the regional championship game a season ago before falling to Strasburg, the eventual state champion in Class 2. There are high expectations once again — there always are for Stuarts Draft — but they'll have to fill some big shoes.
Quarterback Derrick Moore ran for more than 1,200 yards and threw for around 700 yards last year, but he graduated in the spring. Floyd wasn't ready to publicly name a starter at quarterback yet, but replacing Moore won't be an easy task.
"You don't replace him," Floyd said. "You just find your next quarterback and cater your offense to his strengths. You don't change it completely, but you find that quarterback's strengths and that's what your offense goes around."
The hope was whoever played quarterback would have senior Baylor Graber in the backfield with him to carry a lot of the load. That won't be the case. An injury will keep Graber off the field this season. As a junior, Graber ran for over 1,200 yards and scored 16 touchdowns. He also led the team in tackles on defense.
"As coaches you've just got to move on, unfortunately," Floyd said. "We were excited to have him back for that senior year. He always works hard in the offseason, but that bad injury he had against Strasburg ... he's young and he needs to make sure he's taking care of himself."
Floyd said he's had to move players around to fill some holes and has been pleased with the way the players have accepted their new roles. One example is Garrett Johnson who has played running back and linebacker the past two seasons. The junior will be an offensive guard and defensive end this year.
"He's taken the bull by the horns and looks really good at it," Floyd said. "That is super important to a football team when you've got a bunch of selfless players."
More: Waynesboro man sentenced in e-bike crash that killed Dylan Knowles
Senior Brandon Pritchett could step up as a key player on offense as the team's starting tailback. Last year he moved around to several positions, but this year Floyd said Pritchett should settle into tailback and help the team. He was also a first team Shenandoah District all-purpose player on defense last year.
Stephen Mikell, a first team all-Shenandoah District offensive lineman a year ago, will anchor the line.
"I think he's going to have a big year up front for us," Floyd said. "He's a three-year starter. He's not very big, but he has great technique."
Floyd also said Zakarre Hymes-Williams can be big for the Cougars on both sides of the ball. Matt Battaglia worked hard in the offseason also and will be a solid lineman on both sides of the ball.
Floyd said the goal this season is to get better.
"At the end of the year I'm going to look back and see where we started and how we finished," Floyd said. "The record has nothing to do with it. Obviously everybody wants to win. Who doesn't? I'm super competitive. I want to win every ballgame. But deep down, I'm a coach, and if our kids are getting better as the season progresses, they're still playing hard, they're not giving up, win or lose, at the end you can count that as a success."
Aug. 28 Central WoodstockSept. 4 at LuraySept. 11 at RiverheadsSept. 18 Fort DefianceSept. 25 at Rockbridge CountyOct. 2 AlleghanyOct. 9 at StauntonOct. 16 WaynesboroOct. 23 OpenOct. 30 at Buffalo GapNov. 6 Wilson Memorial
More: Queen City Word Fest returns to downtown Staunton this October
Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at [email protected] and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Stuarts Draft football young, but there's reason for optimism
Continue reading...
"They've been willing to learn," Floyd said. "They're pushing themselves, getting out of their comfort zones, which is good to see early in the season. The younger kids are doing a good job of getting up to speed."
The Cougars made a run to the regional championship game a season ago before falling to Strasburg, the eventual state champion in Class 2. There are high expectations once again — there always are for Stuarts Draft — but they'll have to fill some big shoes.
Quarterback Derrick Moore ran for more than 1,200 yards and threw for around 700 yards last year, but he graduated in the spring. Floyd wasn't ready to publicly name a starter at quarterback yet, but replacing Moore won't be an easy task.
You must be registered for see images
"You don't replace him," Floyd said. "You just find your next quarterback and cater your offense to his strengths. You don't change it completely, but you find that quarterback's strengths and that's what your offense goes around."
Stuart’s Draft do-it-all back to miss season with injury
The hope was whoever played quarterback would have senior Baylor Graber in the backfield with him to carry a lot of the load. That won't be the case. An injury will keep Graber off the field this season. As a junior, Graber ran for over 1,200 yards and scored 16 touchdowns. He also led the team in tackles on defense.
"As coaches you've just got to move on, unfortunately," Floyd said. "We were excited to have him back for that senior year. He always works hard in the offseason, but that bad injury he had against Strasburg ... he's young and he needs to make sure he's taking care of himself."
Floyd said he's had to move players around to fill some holes and has been pleased with the way the players have accepted their new roles. One example is Garrett Johnson who has played running back and linebacker the past two seasons. The junior will be an offensive guard and defensive end this year.
"He's taken the bull by the horns and looks really good at it," Floyd said. "That is super important to a football team when you've got a bunch of selfless players."
More: Waynesboro man sentenced in e-bike crash that killed Dylan Knowles
Senior Brandon Pritchett could step up as a key player on offense as the team's starting tailback. Last year he moved around to several positions, but this year Floyd said Pritchett should settle into tailback and help the team. He was also a first team Shenandoah District all-purpose player on defense last year.
Stephen Mikell, a first team all-Shenandoah District offensive lineman a year ago, will anchor the line.
"I think he's going to have a big year up front for us," Floyd said. "He's a three-year starter. He's not very big, but he has great technique."
Floyd also said Zakarre Hymes-Williams can be big for the Cougars on both sides of the ball. Matt Battaglia worked hard in the offseason also and will be a solid lineman on both sides of the ball.
Floyd said the goal this season is to get better.
"At the end of the year I'm going to look back and see where we started and how we finished," Floyd said. "The record has nothing to do with it. Obviously everybody wants to win. Who doesn't? I'm super competitive. I want to win every ballgame. But deep down, I'm a coach, and if our kids are getting better as the season progresses, they're still playing hard, they're not giving up, win or lose, at the end you can count that as a success."
You must be registered for see images attach
Stuarts Draft 2026 schedule
Aug. 28 Central WoodstockSept. 4 at LuraySept. 11 at RiverheadsSept. 18 Fort DefianceSept. 25 at Rockbridge CountyOct. 2 AlleghanyOct. 9 at StauntonOct. 16 WaynesboroOct. 23 OpenOct. 30 at Buffalo GapNov. 6 Wilson Memorial
More: Queen City Word Fest returns to downtown Staunton this October
Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at [email protected] and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Stuarts Draft football young, but there's reason for optimism
Continue reading...
