By Marty Gordon
Auburn head football coach Cam Aker admits COVID-19 has certainly been challenging for all high school coaches in Virginia.
“We have worked to be creative and make football important and continue to train,” he said earlier this week.
His Auburn Eagles finished 6-6 last season and made a run into the regional playoffs. Depth could be a key this season, though, with only 28 players on the roster including nine underclassmen.
Akers said his guys are excited about getting back to work. “We have to control what we can control, and win each day,” he said.
The team will have to replace Carson East, who had 111 carries in 2019 for 756 yards with nine touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, he was also one of the team leaders with 64 tackles, including 31 solo stops, seven for a loss and three sacks.
Also, gone is Will Kelley with his 52 total tackles including three sacks.
Senior Rusty Marshall could be a key for the Eagles as he had 65 total tackles in the last season with two interceptions. He is expected to be a starter at free safety.
Andy French, who is a three-year starter at center, returns to anchor an offensive line that includes seven players over 200-pounds. The 5-8, 215-pound French is joined by Mike Royal (6-4, 260), Jayda Dradras (5-11, 263) and second-team all-state Justin Otey (5-10, 179).
All of that size will help the four-year starter at quarterback, Payson Kelley, who rushed 178 times in 2019 for 814 yards with 14 touchdowns. He also had 321 yards passing.
Expect Kelley to look for Preston Harris, who at 6-2, 170, provides the size needed at the wideout position.
The backfield could be a platoon situation with seniors Micah Sutphin (5-11,175), Trevor Young (5-8, 164), John Keith (5-6, 141) and Ronnie Worth (5-9, 168).
Otey could also play a role on defense from his inside linebacker position.
Akers admits his coaches are stretched thin right now. “We will have to focus on fewer installs and better execution,” he said.
Auburn opens the spring on February 27 at Eastern Montgomery and should be one of the favorites in a loaded Mt. Empire District. All of Auburn’s spring games will be played on Saturday including the opener against the cross-county rival in the “Golden Helmet” contest, which Auburn has dominated for the past six years.
On the schedule are home games against Ft. Chiswell, Galax and Bland. Road games will be at Grayson County and George Wythe.
