Page 7 - Football.2018

Thursday, August 23, 2018 El Dorado News-Times 7 Competitive group of receivers hope to spark Cats' passing attack
By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
El Dorado lost three of its top five receivers from a year ago. Taliq Ellis, Keshun Greene and Evan Chandler combined for 67 receptions for 1,276 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Still, Coach Hal Qualls is optimistic and believes this year's group of re- ceivers could be just as good as last year's ... if not better.
“I think this group as a whole is pret- ty solid. We've got a good healthy com- petition this year,” said Qualls. “I think, overall, we can be as good or better, as a group, as we were last year. Of course, you don't replace Taliq. It's hard to replace a long body like Ke- shun. But, what we got into the last year, we didn't have the depth and there was more of a drop-off. When Keshun went down or when Taliq got tired and had to come out, there was a drop-off there. It's not as much this year because there's a good compe- tition in practice. They don't know from day-to-day, really, who's going to go with that first group. So, that keeps
Terrance Armstard/News-Times
Receivers: El Dorado's receivers include, front from left, Donovan Dismuke, James Hartsfield, Devunte Kidd, Shun Levingston, Ramonda Edwards and Jesse Moree. Back row, Coach Hal Qualls, Hunter Dear, Cekendre Cook, Jarmel Love, Deontre Norman, Emon Ingram, Steven Tollette, Wanya Frazier and Derek Jobe..
problems. Wherever he's lined up, they're going to know it,” said Qualls. “We want him lined up off the ball so he can come in motion. He will be lined up at the wide receiver spot but when he is, he'll be off the ball.”
Track standout Devunte Kidd and se- nior Steven Tollette looked solid in the preseason at two of the other receiving positions. Kidd ran an 11.28 to finish second in the 100 at the 6A state meet in the spring.
“Kidd, with the speed and Tollette has good spacial awareness. He gets open in space. He's kind of got a bas- ketball background,” said Qualls. “The thing about Kidd, he's so fast. He's a vertical threat. Hopefully, we play him in the X, out by himself and hope they have to account for him with a man- and-a-half. They have to bump a safety over to help because if they leave him one-on-one, he can run by most peo- ple. He has awesome quickness and fast. He's doing an excellent job.
See RECEIVERS, Page 11
them on their toes. I expect them to do a good job.”
One reason for the coach's optimism is the return of senior Shun Leving-
ston, who was the team's second lead- ing receiver last year with 42 catches for 739 yards and eight touchdowns.
“Shun Levingston is going to create
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