Orr primed for another run

Orr

2007 record: 10-1

Coach: Kevin Jackson (4th year)

Returning starters: 10

Players to watch:

WR/LB Denzel Whitaker, 5-11, 175, Sr.

QB/DB Gregory McDowell, 6-0, 170, Jr.

TE/OLB Yuma Hayes, 6-0, 180, Sr.

C/DT Navil Johnson, 5-9, 240, Jr.

Outlook: Following a storybook 10-1 campaign capped by their victory over Farragut in the Intra-City championship, the Spartans are primed for an encore.

Coach Kevin Jackson says the team's strengths are the skill players and the defense. Junior quarterback McDowell directs an explosive offense, throwing to top receiver Whitaker and big target Hayes. Whitaker, Hayes and Johnson are the key players on defense.

Coach's take: "The biggest change we're going to have to make in moving up to the Chicago conference is the kids' adjustment to the better talent and more competitive teams we're going to face this year. Winning the [Intra-City] championship really changed the program for us.

"We got a lot of new kids, and a lot more talent to work with now. In the past we got kids who never played football before. That's changing. I expect that we're going to battle it out with Farragut for the section." -- Kevin Jackson

Patrick Z. McGavin