Page 6 - 2016 Football

El Dorado
El Dorado makes changes on special teams
By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
EL DORADO - El Dorado has always spent time on spe- cial teams. But, never have the Wildcats devoted as much preseason practice time to the kicking game as they did in August. With a more ball-con- trolled offensive philosophy, field position will be critical this season as El Dorado seeks out those hidden yards that come in the kicking game.
“We have a chance to be good there because we have a roster full of pretty good athletes,” said El Dorado head coach Scott Reed. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can run down the field and protect on punt and block and are athletic to do that, which is good. That needs to be a strength.”
The focal point of the Wildcats’ kicking game could be senior Brennan Claypoole.
Claypoole will handle place kicking, punting and kickoff duties. He showed off some booming punts during prac- tices.
“Claypoole is doing a very good job of punting. He’s hav- ing a very good fall camp,” said Coach T.J. Hill. “I like our gunners. Our gunners are guys I coached the last two years, both of our corners. I think we’ve got a good, athletic group and Claypoole puts it in the right spots often. I’m hoping we don’t have anybody return it on us.”
The Wildcats will have a new holder on field goals in Evan Chandler. Josh Perry and Payton Perry will handle the deep snapping chores.
On kickoff return, Wildcats will use running backs Anthony Thomas and Shun Levingston as the deep men.
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Terrance Armstard/News-Times
Special teams: El Dorado’s special team players include, from left, Zac Donahue, Evan Chandler, Brennan Claypoole, Coach Scott Reed, Peyton Perry, Josh Perry and Derek Jobe.
6 – Thursday, September 1, 2016 – El Dorado NEWS-TIMES
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