Elverado-Trico continues to grow under Sanders

Elverado-Trico football coach Duffy Sanders is in his second year with the team, but the Falcons are still looking for their first win under him as they suffered through an 0-9 season last fall.
The numbers are against Sanders as he only has 20 players on the varsity roster, and just 10 of who are upper classmen. However, Sanders does have 10 sophomores that have experienced winning as freshmen and a large freshmen class this season to build a solid foundation.
“This team has more heart than last year,” said Sanders. “These kids are dedicated, are in better shape and can play physically. Our weakness is the numbers we have on the team, so they have to be in good shape.”
The Falcons have five returning starters on both sides of the ball.
Sophomore Alex McGill (6’2 180) will be the team’s starting quarterback this season.
“Alex ran this entire offense last year on the freshman team,” said Sanders. “He is a big kid, and he is football smart. He has worked hard over the summer, and he knows how to win.”
Running the football for Elverado-Trico, which plans on using a triple option attack, will be Kyle Easton (5’9 220 senior), Randy Goetz (5’9 180 junior), Herby Sandlin (5’7 165 senior) and Dalton Porter (5’9 170 sophomore).
“All of these guys have a lot of heart, and Easton and Goetz are powerful runners who can really hurt teams up the middle,” said Sanders. “Herby and Dalton have more speed and can pick up yards on the outside.”
The receiving group will be led by Trevor Compton (6’3 180 sophomore) and Aaron Miller (5’10 160 sophomore).
“Trevor and Aaron will be our main receivers, but we will also throw the ball to our wingbacks at times,” said Sanders.
Zach Robertson (5’11 205 senior) is a four-year starter on the offensive line for the Falcons and will be counted on to be the anchor this season. Wesley Ramsey (5’7 185 sophomore) will start as a tackle, as will John Dallas (6’0 185 junior). Brandon Lewis (5’8 205 sophomore) will start at center, while Curtis Compton (5’9 210 junior) will start at guard along with Robertson. Alex Rodman (6’1 180 senior) will be the starting tight end.
“We don’t have a lot of size, but these guys are smart, and Robertson has the experience to lead this group,” said Sanders. “All of these guys are hard workers. This season they will have to work harder as they will be outsized every game.”
On the defensive line, Lewis, Ramsey, Rodman, Goetz, Dallas and Brett Brady (5’10 185 sophomore) are all expected to see varsity time.
“Our defensive line is a quick group but not real big,” said Sanders. “Our team will have to rely on hitting the gaps and using their speed to their advantage.”
The Falcons will only start two players at the linebacker position, but they are two good ones as Easton and Robertson will patrol the middle.
“These guys are both seniors, and they are both captains,” said Sanders. “Robertson is a strong physical kid with a good football smarts. Easton is just a beast in the middle. These two guys really have to carry our defense this season.”
Sandlin, a two-year returning starter at safety will lead the team’s secondary with Porter and Wade Bowlin (5’7 155 sophomore) starting at cornerback. McGill will start at the other safety position.
“This group has decent speed, and they know their coverage assignments,” said Sanders. “They have a little experience, and we will be counting on Herby to be the leader back there.”
Sandlin will also handle the kicking and punting duties for the Falcons.
Every game this season for the Falcons will be a conference game, as the Black Diamond now has a full league with the addition of Vienna.
“Carterville is always on the top of the conference, and I am sure they want to win it one more time before heading over to the River-to-River Conference,” said Sanders. “Fairfield will be tough once again this year, and Sesser-Valier will be a contender as they return a lot of talent from last year. Vienna will surprise a lot of teams this season. They are big and have a lot of kids in the program. Carmi will be young this season, but they will still be good. CZR, Hamilton County and Eldorado all lost a lot and should make up the bottom half of the conference with us.”
Elverado-Trico makes the long trip to face Fairfield to open the season Friday night.