Young Warhawks searching for new identity

Daleville’s all-time leading rusher, Jalen White, will no longer be in the Warhawk backfield this year and as a result a very young DHS team is searching for a new identity.

White is now playing at Georgia Southern and with the additional departure of former starting quarterback Peanut Bloodsaw – who transferred to a school in Louisiana in the offseason – more than 80 percent of 2019’s total offense is now gone. Bloodsaw and White also made up 54 of Daleville’s 64 offensive touchdowns, as well.

The 2020 Warhawks will be young in experience and low on numbers this year, as well.

“The numbers have been less than what we expected (for summer workouts),” Daleville coach Desmond Lett said. “This year, coming into the spring, we were getting a high volume of kids that were interested in playing football but with COVID-19 some of the parents don’t feel comfortable in bringing them up here and also when you give some kids the option of not having to come then a lot of them – especially younger kids – aren’t going to come.

“The kids that have been here, though, have been working hard and getting after it. They look around and see that there aren’t many of us so they know they’ll have to be able to play both sides of the ball and be effective. They’re buying into what we’re teaching them, so that’s all we can expect.”

While Lett knows his team has some big holes to fill, he isn’t expecting his players to simply lay down in 2020.

“We can’t live in the past. Last year we went 7-3 and had a big senior class that graduated, but that was last year,” Lett emphasized. “We’ll be young but that doesn’t mean I expect us to go out there and be tackling dummies and get killed every game. I expect us to go out and compete.

“The scoreboard doesn’t always tell where you are as far as your growth but I expect us to grow every week.”

With so much firepower lost on offense, Lett will lean on senior athlete Sincere McKenzie to pick up much of the slack.

McKenzie – who Lett referred to as a “natural leader” – rushed for 403 yards and three touchdowns along with 188 yards and another touchdown receiving in 2019. He also recorded 17 two-point conversions, which is the third most in state history by a single player. McKenzie will line up at running back, receiver and possibly even “Wildcat” quarterback this season.

Unfortunately, McKenzie is the only Warhawk on offense to total more than 100 yards last season and Daleville goes into the year without a player that has ever taken a snap at quarterback.

The quarterback position is the biggest question mark on the offensive side as Lett continues to search for a starter. Freshman Omarion Pinckney spent the 2019 season as a reserve quarterback and may be called on this season.

“Peanut was a very good athlete for us and was very head strong,” Lett said of his former quarterback. “I loved Peanut and I hated to see him go. It’s going to be big to have a kid step up for us at quarterback this year.

“I don’t care about playing a freshman. If a freshman is the best kid we have and gives us the best shot to win then he’ll play.”

While Daleville no longer has the workhorse that can carry the ball 30 times a game, Lett said the Warhawks will continue to incorporate things from last year’s offense, which combined elements of the I-formation, spread offense and even the wishbone.

“We’ll incorporate the things we did last year but our backs will be smaller, so our backfield will be more of a cash roll rather than just a two-man rotation,” Lett said. “We’ll spread the ball around a little bit and get the ball to more of our playmakers, too.”

Lett said that defense could end up being a bright spot for Daleville as a number of players on that side of the ball return. Seniors McKenzie and Parris led the Warhawk defense last season and return.

McKenzie totaled 61 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, two interceptions and a forced fumble while playing linebacker and defensive back. Parris was Daleville’s leading tackler at linebacker with 92 tackles, 11.5 tackles-for-loss and two forced fumbles.

Daleville also returns defensive tackle Jeremiah Moore (25 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks), cornerback Speedy Wiley (27 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and one interception), linebacker Cam Giles (50 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss) and a host of others with experience.

“I think we’re returning more experience on the defensive side of the ball,” Lett said. “Myles led us in tackling and he always finds himself around the ball. He never quits either.

“With a kid like that and a kid like Sincere – he’s not the biggest kid but he always finds a way to get you to the ground – that are willing to fight and make plays, I feel like with all of that hustle and heart we’ll find a turnover here and there and be able to capitalize on it.”

Things certainly won’t be easy for the Warhawks as they move up to Class 3A for the first time since 2017. Daleville moves to Class 3A, Region 2 alongside New Brockton, Houston Academy, Opp, Providence Christian, Slocomb and Wicksburg.

The Warhawks will open the season on the road against Elba on Aug. 21 and Dale County on Aug. 28 before hosting Houston Academy on Sept. 4. Daleville hits the road again on Sept. 11 to face New Brockton in Enterprise at Bates Memorial Stadium.

The Warhawks then get a chance to host three straight home games against Opp on Sept. 18, G.W. Long on Sept. 25 and Wicksburg on Oct. 2. The Warhawks are back on the road Oct. 2 against Slocomb but return home to face Northside Methodist on Oct. 26.

Daleville then closes out the season on the road against Providence Christian on Oct. 23 before getting a bye week on Oct. 30. The playoffs begin Nov. 6.

QUOTE: “The scoreboard doesn’t always tell where you are as far as your growth but I expect us to grow every week.” – Desmond Lett