Optimism builds in rebuild’s second year

ASHEBORO — For obvious reasons, the start of the second year of a “rebuilding” process usually goes a lot smoother than the beginning of the first.

The biggest reason, of course, is familiarity as the student-athletes are more comfortable with a new staff, a new system and what it takes to make that new system successful, while the coaching staff is more knowledgeable of each player’s strengths and weaknesses.

Asheboro High School’s Calvin Brown says that is definitely the case as he begins his second year at the helm of the Blue Comets.

“It’s going really good having a year under our belts as a coaching staff and the kids being more familiar with what we are doing and what we expect,” Brown said. “What’s really helped is having a full year in the weight room. Our guys were committed to the weight room, and if you are going to be successful, it starts there.”

The Blue Comets won their opening game last season, but then dropped nine straight to finish 1-9. However, although it didn’t show up in the win-loss column, there was plenty of improvement in the play on the field as AHS was in a number of close games, just not finding the way to get over the hump.

“After that last game, I was wondering how they would respond and the very next day, they showed the determination to be different, to get better,” Brown said. “We picked up some guys who wanted to be a part of what we are doing. The excitement is great. When you finish 1-9 and go from 56 total players from last year and increase that by more than 20 this year, something is right.”

AHS, which averaged 18.6 points per game last season, should see an increase with a number of skill position players returning, led by quarterback Logan Laughlin. Laughlin, who transferred to AHS just prior to the start of the official opening of practice last year, has a full year of workouts in the Blue Comets’ system. Last year, he was 146-for-263 for 1,964 yards and 14 touchdowns with 13 interceptions.   

“He has grown so much,” Brown said. “Things got difficult last year. We didn’t have much of a running game and teams keyed on that. The one thing we told him is he needs to be more of a leader, more of a vocal leader and he’s taken ownership of that. The kids respect him and he’s leading the team.”

AHS returns a wealth of receiving talent, including Elijah Woodle, the team’s deep threat, who hauled in 47 receptions for 780 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. Woodle led the team in all-purpose yardage with 1,094 yards.

“He’s a threat no matter where he is on the field,” Brown said. “We can use him in the slot or bump him outside. He causes a matchup nightmare and he’s more comfortable with our offense. He’s a huge threat because of his speed.”

oining Woodle are two very solid returners in Aiden Robinson and Ben Luck. The two combined for 74 catches, more than 800 yards and three scores. Trevor Cassidy will also be a target.

The running game will have to improve and it showed some improvement once then-freshman DJ Scott was moved up. With varsity experience, Brown said he expects Scott to spearhead the running game, which also includes Quincey Lee.  

“We have two running backs who will run hard and be physical,” Brown said.

The offensive line is going to need to produce and Brown said he expects just that as Chris Spivey and Boone Hinesley return physically stronger. Jonah Lester, Jessie Rangel, Kaleb Rosenblatt and Zak Blackwell, at 6-3 and 270, will be key. Nico Otero will see action at a number of different positions on the OL

Defensively, Brown likes what he has seen on the line with Jewel Barrett-Riggins (who will also see action at tight end), Noah Mabry, Marvin Tucker, Emarion Manley and Gene Patrick being counted on. 

“We should be able to rush the quarterback and our athletic ability and how long we are will allow us to play faster,” Brown said. 

Luke Hughes, who led the team with 89 tackles last season, returns and along with Lee will provide a solid linebacking core. Luke Brumley and Gavin Allen will see their first varsity action.

Robinson, Luck, Chasyn Miller and Cole Trogdon will highlight the defensive backfield.

“All the things we were concerned about last year, we were much better at,” Brown said of the team’s first scrimmage last week. “We had good blocking up front and had 11 hats on the football. We were physical. We did things that we had not done in the past to win football games. This is a step in the right direction.”