Lucas Vance
Staff Writer
WINNSBORO — The Fairfield Central Griffins will play their annual spring game tonight at E.K. Mclendon stadium. Griffins head coach Demetrius Davis has been looking forward to seeing his team back in action.
“This time of year is fun,” Davis said. “Everyone is undefeated and it gives us a chance to work on the basic fundamentals.”
The spring game will give fans and parents their first look at the 2013 Griffins.
“People are going to get the chance to see a talented football team with a lot of youth,” Davis noted. “We plan on outworking our opponent and being in better condition than anybody we play.”
The spring game will be an intra-squad scrimmage in a controlled environment. Fairfield Central is coming off a season where they played in the AA state championship game after winning the Region III-AA title. The Griffins were defeated 21-6 by Dillon in the AA title game.
On defense Fairfield Central’s key personnel losses include Raheem McDaniel (DL) and Devonta’ Foster (DB) who both will be playing at Coffeyville Community College (KS.) next season. On offense, the Griffins will have to do without the hard running of Damian Bell (RB) and the blocking of Dexter Finch (OL).
Bell has moved on to play football at Newberry College and Finch earned an academic scholarship and will walk on at South Carolina State. Despite those losses, the majority of key personnel were juniors last season and will have the added benefit of four extra games during the postseason to help with this year’s learning curve.
In addition, the junior variety team went undefeated last season with a 9-0 record including wins over AAA schools Westwood, Union and Chester. Davis believes that the injection of youth combined with key veterans is a recipe for success.
“Anytime you get a chance to bring JV guys along it’s a plus,” Davis said. “We look forward to mixing these young guys into our program.”
Through the three phases of a football game (offense, defense and special teams) special teams is one that can often be lost in the flare of an offense or the hard hits of a defense. That is not the case for Fairfield Central. Davis believes it is a crucial phase and can be the difference in a good team and a great team.
“Special teams around here are big,” Davis stated. “We do special teams every single day. We try to pay attention to the smallest details because if you can turn the field over on special teams then you have a chance to win.”
Fairfield Central is a favorite to win the upstate in 2013 and return to the state championship game. When asked what fans could expect during tonight’s spring game Davis leaned back in his chair and smile with excitement.
“We’re going to be exciting in all three phases of the game,” Davis said. “The fans should be excited about next year and a brand of football they can be proud of.”
The spring game beginning at 6:30 p.m. is free and open to the public.
Contact Lucas Vance at 635-4016 ext.15 or email him at lvance@civitasmedia.com.
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