Our Red Tornadoes open their 2008 campaign with a road trip to Statesville this Friday night. Checking around the net earlier this evening I saw a Statesville fan predict a 21-point victory for the Greyhounds. Obviously I think that's a lot bull but it does demonstrate the level of enthusiasm the Greyhounds and their fans have for the 2008 season. Here's a video about the opening of their pre-season practices a couple of weeks ago. (If the video doesn't play for you right away then just hit "refresh" and try again!)
The Statesville fans as a group are not obnoxious like some other fans that the Tornado Nation has to deal with but make no mistake about it: the Greyhounds are sick and tired of losing to Hickory. They want to send a message to all that Statesville football is back. They point to last season's 9-4 final record, including an appearance in the the second round of the playoffs, as evidence of a revival under head coach Randall Gusler. Coach Gusler enters his third year as the Statesville skipper with an 11-13 record. He took over the top spot following the disastrous 2005 season which saw the once-proud Statesville program hit rock bottom at 0-11.
Gusler had no choice but to start a bunch of sophomores during his first season. The Hounds improved to a 2-9 record. Now those sophomores are battle-tested seniors. One of their leaders is bullish tailback Andre Shepherd. Shepherd played well against Hickory last season in a 29-12 defeat, rushing for a game-high 151 yards and a touchdown on only 16 carries (9.4 yards per carry). He also coughed up the ball twice in the second half while trying to gain extra yardage. After gaining more than 1,500 yards rushing last season he has worked hard in the weight room in preparation for this season. The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder can bench 320 pounds and squat 480 pounds.
Statesville lost only two offensive starters and Gusler is excited about their replacements. North Iredell transfer Logan Feimster fills the tight end position vacated by Dominique Nichols. At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, Feimster gives quarterback T.J. McCombs a huge target. He led North in receiving last season with 18 receptions for 229 yards.
Patrick McConnell, also a senior, will be playing his third different position on offense. Last year he lined up at guard, when depth became a problem, and tight end. He is slated to take over for Adrian Sloan at wingback.
Watch the Record & Landmark sports staff's analysis of Statesville's football team. Be patient with the video player as it takes a couple of seconds to start but it does work.
More to come...
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