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Saints Ready for Season Opener
Saints



It may still be the dog days of summer, but football season is about to get underway in DeKalb County. The DeKalb Middle School Saints football team has been practicing and ready to open their season this Thursday at 6:30 pm, at home against York Institute.

Saints Head Coach Justin Poteete said his team is prepared and looks to have a good season this year. “Our first game will be this Thursday against York. It was supposed to be an away game, but they had problems with their field so they’re coming here August 1, at 6:30.”

“We should be pretty decent this year,” Poteete continued. “We’ve got a lot kids back, and a lot of seventh graders that played last year. We’ll be throwing some new kids in the mix. Just because they played last year doesn’t guarantee anything this year. They have to come out and work hard, and I think we’ll be alright.”

While the Saints does have some size on their lines, Coach Poteete said the team is probably not large compared to other teams. “We have a little size on our lines, but we’re on the small end in the conference. As long as they work, it doesn’t really matter how big they are. We’ll figure that out and see some things this week, once we go up against someone else.”

As for who will lead the team this season, Coach Poteete said he will be relying on a couple of veterans at the quarterback position. “This year it’s going to be Collin Donnell and a little bit of Hayden Quarles. Both are three-year eighth graders, and Donnell came in last year and really ran the ball hard.”

“Donnell wasn’t very fast, but he’s gotten faster this year. He’s got a chip on his shoulder and really plays the game the way I want him to play. He doesn’t take anything from anyone, and has something top prove every time he’s out here. I think he’s garnered his team’s respect, which is why he got that captain nod.”

“Hayden Quarles is another one that can throw the ball pretty well. He never seems to shy away from the moment and is always ready. Those two right there are going to run the show for us this year, and we have Landon Holmes next year. He may play some other positions. He’s another good team player willing to do whatever it takes.”

While middle school football is not known for its air game, Coach Poteete said the Saints do have potential. “We’ve got some weapons outside; Levi Cripps, Bryson Redmon, Rocky Cantrell. If we can protect up front and give them time, and he can make the right read, we can throw the ball pretty well. Doing it in practice and doing it live when the game starts is a little bit different. You just have to stay poised, and protect them up front.”

As for the kicking game, Coach Poteete said the team will be rolling the dice a lot this year. “We’re probably going to onside kick a lot this year and take our chances. If we can get one out of every 10, that’s an extra possession. We’re going to try to line it up, get the ball back, and pop everybody standing up there.”

Coach Poteete said he has faith in his team and he looks to have a great season. “That’s definitely the expectation every year. We’ll come out and work hard each and every day. As long as these guys buy in, and I think for the most part they have, we’ll do well. We have a great leadership group this year, eighth grade heavy. As long as they come out and stay true to what we do, the sky is the limit for this team. Potential doesn’t do us anything. They have to come out and execute.”

As for this year’s conference, Coach Poteete said it’s the usual suspects. “We play York Institute and Cumberland as cross conference teams, and White County, Macon County, Smith County, Upperman, and Prescott Middle School in our regular conference.”