Frank Johnson

Senior offensive lineman Antonio LaFortune will be on a mission in 2008: protect the Knight quarterback.

By all accounts, the 2007 season was a disappointing one for Stratford’s football team.

Snapped was a mammoth winning streak in region play, and the Knights went on to finish with a losing record for the first time since 1995.

The Knights, who open the season Aug. 29 against Orangeburg-Wilkinson, will try to prove that was an aberration and not the beginning of a downward trend this fall.

“We’re just trying to regroup,” said longtime Stratford coach Ray Stackley, who heads into 2008 with a 223-70 career record. “I don’t ever use the word ‘reload.’ I think that’s selling your kids short.

“We’re going to try to get back to doing the things that have led to the great success we’ve had the last 10 years, playing with pride and toughness.”

The Knights bring back a total of nine starters (6 offense, 3 defense) from 2007, including versatile quarterback Tyler McDonald (6-3, 180). He threw for nearly 1,300 yards and four touchdowns a year ago, also making plays with his legs in space.

“If we can get to the point where we can protect him, he can make a lot of plays for us,” Stackley said. “He’s gotten bigger and stronger since last year. We’re really pleased with his maturity level. His leadership is better on the field.”

He’ll be backed up by sophomore Clint Queen and junior Chris Hanna.

Stackley said the Knights have some packages installed on offense that will move McDonald out wide and let either Queen or Hanna lineup at quarterback.

“He’s really special out there,” Stackley said. “It gives us another avenue to get the ball in his hands in space.”

The only other skill player returning with starting experience is physical junior wide receiver Francis Lloyd (5-11, 185). He hauled in 23 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown in 2007.

“He’s probably the toughest kid on our football team,” Stackley said. “We’re going to have to get the ball to him in a lot of ways.”

Sophomore Preston Gavins (5-11, 160) is another receiver with tremendous promise, Stackley said.

At running back, the Knights will start seniors Jamorris Powell (6-0, 185) and Marcus Scott (6-1, 200). They’ll be trying to replace North-South all-star Asheton Jordan, who finished with 1,042 rushing yards and 515 receiving yards in 2007. He had a hand in 17 touchdowns.

“We haven’t seen enough yet to put our stamp of approval on them yet,” Stackley said.

The two are getting pushed for playing time by junior Kareem Walls, sophomore Ryan Barnwell and freshman Devin Washington. Depth is definitely a strong point in the backfield.

Up front, the Knights will be as experienced as any team in Region 7-AAAA, returning four players that started in 2007. The biggest projected starters in there are senior left tackle Antonio Lafortune (6-3, 260) and junior left tackle Tray Ardis (6-3, 240). Senior left guard Adrian Williams (5-11, 255) and senior right guard James Fulton (6-0, 248) are also returning starters. Junior Russell Spaulding (5-11, 250) and Joey Swisher (6-0, 310) are vying for time at center.

“We don’t have a lot of the kids we’ve had in the past – typically we haven’t started linemen less than 280 - but they work hard,” Stackley said. “They’re going to be the glue.”

The defense is a big question mark right now, with only senior defensive lineman Lawrence Rose (6-1, 225), junior defensive back Brant Sally (6-2, 180) and senior defensive back Johnny King (5-10, 183) as the voices of experience.

“Those three have to be leaders everyday,” Stackley said. “(The defense) is just going to have to get better as the season goes along, and that’s what practice is for. Defense is about flying around and making tackles. We’ve got to find eight other guys that can play defense the way Stratford is used to playing defense.”

Joining Rose up front are senior Jesse Jennings (5-10, 235), senior Matt Drinsteinner (6-1, 195) and senior Brad Lewis (5-10, 215).

The linebackers are all brand new starters and all juniors, Malik Williams (5-11, 210), Woodrow Young (6-2, 195) and Ian Thompson (5-10, 191).

Juniors Marquis West (5-8, 160) is a starter in the secondary along with senior Jordan Williams, who worked himself to the top of the depth chart with an injury to junior Leon Alexander (5-9, 150).

“Our major goal is to get better day by day, week by week and get into position to compete for a state championship.”

On special teams, senior Will Graham (5-10, 170) is the starting punter and may handle some placekicking. Ryan Gaither is another kicker for the Knights.

Stackley is assisted by Tony Smith (asst. head coach and OL), Joe Marion (defensive coordinator and ILBs), Dennie McDaniel (offensive coordinator and RBs), John Chalus (WRs), Ashley Harvey (QBs), Doug Millers (OLBs), Scott Ruggles (DL), Joey Sheppard (DBs) and David Mills (Specialists).

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