Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508310003
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PAGE: 21 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RINER LENGTH: Long
``We've got a long way to go at many positions, particularly on the offensive side of the ball,'' Auburn coach Steve Wright said.
Wright's worries shouldn't just end with the offense. Auburn's defensive unit provides Wright with two areas of concern:
Concern No.1: The Eagle defense is as inexperienced as the offense, returning only a handful of starters.
Concern No.2: Auburn players will be learning a new defensive alignment in 1995.
``We will be using a 5-2-4 set instead of the 5-3 scheme we used last year," Wright said. ``We feel like the new set will allow us to better defend the passing game. However, we have two sophomore linebackers who are still learning to play together in a two-linebacker set.''
In spite of Auburn's lack of game experience at key positions, Wright continues to remain optimistic about his team's outlook.
``We feel like we can improve on last season's record [1-9 overall, 1-3 district],'' Wright said. ``We are going to keep our goals realistic. Because of our youth we need to keep our goals in perspective, so our young players don't lose confidence.''
For Auburn to achieve Wright's goal of being more competitive in the Three Rivers District, it will have to look to the star tight end, Kenny Wojciechowski.
Wojciechowski, along with senior lineman Mike McNeil, was an All-District performer for the Eagles last season and is being counted on by Wright to lead the team in 1995.
``We've made a lot of position changes and have a lot of younger players this year, so I have to lead them on the field and be a role model,'' Wojciechowski said.
The position changes for Auburn are most noticeable on the offensive side. Wojciechowski will be lining up at tight end this season instead of the fullback slot he occupied last year.
Joining Wojciechowski in the trenches on the strong side will be senior tackle Damon Harris (6 feet, 220 pounds) and sophomore guard Devan Howard (5-11, 210). McNeil returns to his spot as the Eagles' starting center. McNeil is the largest man on the Eagle line, weighing in at 270 pounds..
``The offensive line is the strength of this team, particularly on the strong side,'' Wright said.
The weak-side tackle and guard positions remain more of a mystery for the Eagles. Auburn has three other tackles listed on its depth chart, with none older than a sophomore.
Look for sophomore Jon Yon (5-9, 235) to be the front runner at the guard position, with Chris Saul and freshman Adam Hutchins backing him. Chad Smith (6-3, 150) is another candidate for guard.
The Auburn line will be protecting a lot of new members of the new Eagle backfield. Unlike last season, when the backfield was Auburn's strongest unit with three returning starters, it is the biggest question mark for this team.
Quarterback Jason Phipps will be called on to lead the Wing-T attack in his first year at the position. Wright said that Phipps, a junior, has been impressive in practice.
Senior David Hughes is slated at the starting tailback. His cousin, Conrad Hughes, a transfer student from Shawsville, joins him at wingback and sophomore Matt Memitt jumps into the vacated fullback spot.
Rounding out the offense is senior wide receiver Bryan Bowen, who along with Wojciechowski will be Phipps' primary targets.
The defensive side of the ball is jumbled for Auburn - only a handful of positions are set.
The defensive line will be built around returning starters Wojciechowski and McNeil. Wojciechowski will be at defensive end with McNeil at tackle.
Wright says he expects to have a stronger front seven than last year due to the new defensive scheme, but the linebacking situation is still unsettled. Sophomore linebackers Justin Bittinger and Howard are still trying adjust to the new two-linebacker scheme, a system that neither has played in.
The upside of the new set, according to Wright, is that there are now four bodies in the secondary to defend the pass. Phipps, a returning starter, will anchor the defensive backfield. Bowen and Conrad Hughes should provide the Eagles with good pass coverage at defensive back.
``The defensive unit is coming along,'' Wright said. ``We have a blend of youth and experience out there. It's just going to take some time for it to come together."
AUBURN
1994 record: 1-9 overall, 1-3 in Three Rivers District
Coach: Steve Wright, third year
Returning starters: Devan Howard, so., g, lb, 5-11, 210; Mike McNeil, sr., c, dt, 5-10, 270; Jason Phipps, jr., qb, db, 6-0, 160; Kenny Wojciechowski, sr., te, de, 6-1, 200.
Other key players: Conrad Hughes, sr., wb, db, 5-8, 170; David Hughes, sr., tb, ng, 5-7, 160; Damon Harris, sr., ot, dt, 6-0, 220; Matt Memitt, so., fb, lb, 5-4, 155.
Major losses: Jeremy Akers, qb, lb, 5-8, 155; Sonny Bishop, og, se, 5-5, 165; Bobby Bonds, rb, lb, 5-10, 185; Junior DeHart, wr, cb, 5-6, 130; Bradley Hudgins, rb, lb, 5-11, 175.
Outlook:The Eagles suffered through a difficult 1994, and with the loss of last season's entire backfield, looks to struggle through 1995. Questions also surround the move of star Kenny Wojciechowski from fullback to tight end. Defensively the Eagles are inexperienced, and the shift to a 5-2-4 defensive set could cause confusion in the young Eagle defense. Unless the Eagles get good production from newcomers like Conrad Hughes, 1995 will prove to be another long haul for Auburn.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 1, Pocohantas; 8, at Craig County; 15, Floyd; 22, Giles; 29, Galax
Oct. 6, at Fort Chiswell; 13, at Shawsville; 20, at Narrows; 27, at Bland
Nov. 10, Radford
by CNB