Staff writer
Peabody-Burns head football coach David Pickens is looking forward to what this upcoming football season will bring, even though he lost several seniors to graduation.
“I’m excited to see kids playing roles they haven’t in the past,” Pickens said. “It’s gonna be exciting to see it all come together.”
There are 10 freshman on a 23-player team, so one of the hurdles Pickens will have to overcome is exposure to time on the field.
“We’re going to have to give new guys experience,” Pickens said.
Fullback Austin Reynolds, Pickens said, will “do a great job,” and tailback Bailey Penner has “got some great speed.”
Pickens said that lineman Tyler Ensz, who “should do a real good job,” starting center Andrew Wedel, who has “a lot of experience,” and Tony Adams are “all good athletes with good experience, and that Rocco Wertz and Jess Philpott both have excellent speed and good hands.
Pickens also said that sophomore Paul Baker as defensive end and Jaden Scott “should be a good combo. They ought to be fun to watch.”
Freshman Landon Reeves will have the opportunity to start a few games this season, Pickens said.
“He has great size and speed,” Pickens said. “He also had an exceptional junior high career.”
Some teams the Warriors will face they haven’t played against before, but that hasn’t affected their practice or spirits.
“The kids have been working really hard,” Pickens said. “I hope they get experience and hope they come together as a team. We should have a fun season if we do.”