Last year, Derek Stotts took over a struggling St. Albans program that had won one game the season before and was winless the campaign before that.
Stotts and the Red Dragons made great strides in Year 1, finishing with three wins, and are hoping to build momentum and keep going on an upward trajectory.
“We have great momentum, and last season was a great stepping stone,†Stotts said. “We had a lot of adversities to overcome, but the kids are putting out a product that they and the community are believing in.
“Last season was a testament to those kids. They put in the work and had one of the better St. Albans seasons in a while. We want to keep the momentum going and keep changing the culture. We want to get a playoff berth this season.â€
The Red Dragons lost a senior class of 14 that helped turn St. Albans around, and despite knowing he has a lot to replace, Stotts is excited about the upcoming season.
“There are a lot of kids, yards and tackles to replace, but we have a lot that stayed on and got a few transfers coming in,†Stotts said. “The guys back made a very big mark on our program, know the standard and are incorporating the culture with the new guys.â€
Stotts is excited about senior quarterback Reece Lilly (6-foot-5, 205 pounds), who is coming off a season in which he threw for 683 yards, with six touchdowns and six interceptions.
“Reece is a four-year starter who has made tremendous strides last year and over the summer,†Stotts said. “He's a great leader, is like a sponge, has perfect size, is tough and throws the ball really well.
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“He's been a spearhead in our program. When you are building a roster from the ground up, you want people that want to be there. In today’s age, for him to stay here, he’s the face of the program. The players look up to him.â€
At running back, sophomore James Lowe (5-10, 175) and senior Harley Roy (5-9, 175) are expected to carry the load for the Red Dragons.
“We will have a two-headed monster in Harley and James,†Stotts said. “James came on and did some great things for us last year. He is ultra-talented and had a great summer. I am looking forward to him having a monumental year. He's another guy who stuck around and could have gone anywhere.
"James will be a star player on defense, too. Athletically, he checks all the boxes. ... You can put him anywhere on the field and things you can't teach, he has.â€
At the wide receiver position, Stotts is excited about sophomore Chance Campbell. Junior Elijah Bass and Jackson Kimble are also expected to be major contributors.
“They will be a young, but talented, group,†Stotts said. “Chance is extremely talented. He is a great baseball player and didn't play [football] last year to focus on baseball. He is back now and doing a lot of great things.â€
Standouts on the offensive and defensive lines include sophomore Evan Green, senior three-year starter Lucas Warner (5-11, 245) and senior Noah Curry.
“We will lean on our offensive line,†Stotts said. “Evan will be one of the best sophomores in the area. He’s had a great summer. Lucas has also done fantastic things this summer. Noah is coming off an ACL injury, so it’s good to have him back.â€
