Lancaster looking to be a much tougher football team in an already-tough region
Last season was disappointing for the Lancaster Bruins, and they are working in the preseason to address problems from a year ago.
Head Coach Marcus Surratt returns for his sixth season, and he is optimistic that this year’s edition of the Bruins will be much improved.
“We should be much stronger than we were last year,” he said. “We have more experience than a year ago, and I am hopeful that it will lead to making better decisions on the field.”
The region that Lancaster plays in is by far the toughest in class 4A.
“Our top region teams are always good,” Surratt said. “However, when you look at our region overall, it is solid throughout. You have to be ready every Friday night when you play in our region. There are no easy wins.”
The Bruins are working two players at quarterback, and each offers something different.
JaRon Stevenson, a senior, and Jermaine Flowers, a junior, are battling for the starting spot.
“They have strengths in different areas,” Surratt said. “Depending on the situation in the game and what the defense is showing, we can choose the one we want to use for best results.”
Senior Tamarion Truesdale and juniors Mikal McCollum and Bryce Surratt are the leaders at running back.
“We have a good mix of talent there overall,” the coach said. “We have the potential for some good combinations for speed or power. We have good speed and a lot of versatility in the offensive backfield.”
Ziahir Moffatt, a senior, is the top receiver. The Bruins lack experience at that position.
“The receivers had a good summer,” Surratt said. “They improved as a group, and they caught the ball well. We will probably have receivers by committee.”
The offensive line is being led by senior Chase Hunter and sophomores Kevin Peay and Jason Sebele.
“We will be young up front,” Surratt said. “However, I think that we will be better in the offensive line than we were last year.”
Juniors Rodarius Poag and Tristan Gist lead a group of inexperienced players working on the defensive front.
“We do not have a ton of experience there, either,” he said. “We are working to find people right now, and that may be by committee also.”
Senior Xavier Graham and Bryce Surratt are the top two linebackers.
“We are fortunate to have good linebackers,” Surratt said. “However, we need to add some depth to that position.”
Senior Cureton Witherspoon and sophomore Devant’e Fisher are the leaders in the defensive secondary.
“We are small in size at cornerback and safety,” the coach said. “We have excellent speed at those positions, and we have some good decision makers.”
Sophomore Daniel Vincent is set to handle the place kicking chores. Graham is being counted on to do the punting.
“I think that our kicking game is in good hands,” Surratt said. “I am confident they will both do a fine job.”
The Bruins worked in the offseason on improving overall team strength, and Surratt says they were successful.
“I was very pleased with what we were able to accomplish there,” he said. “In addition, right now we are in the best shape we have been in during my six years here.”
The Bruins have 46 players on this year’s roster. It looks like six players will be going both ways.
“We are working to find quality depth so we can give those players going both ways a breather,” the coach said.
For the Bruins to improve on last year’s COVID-shortened season, when the team finished with an overall record of 2-5 and region mark of 0-4, several things have to happen.
“We have got to stay healthy,” Surratt said. “We need to continue to work hard, improve, and believe in ourselves. We also need to understand as a team what it takes to win games and make the playoffs.”
