GAME FACES: 2020 Daleville Players to Watch

A small group of veteran Daleville Warhawks will look to lead an inexperienced team that hopes to continue its success in 2020.

Many of the Warhawks’ playmakers will be young this season but Daleville also has some key veterans across both sides of the ball.

Cedereon “Speedy” Wiley, Sr., Cornerback: Wiley took on a role as a starting cornerback in 2020 and head coach Desmond Lett said that he has continued to grow and even thrive in that role.

“He thrived in his role as a lockdown defender last year,” Lett said. “He used to be this small kid that talked a lot of game but he’s putting in the work to show that he wants the biggest challenge at all times.”

In 2019, the 5-foot-11-inch, 185-pound Wiley totaled 26 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and an interception but his goal is to completely shut down the opposing team’s best receiver.

“He always tells me that he wants to guard the best receiver and he wants to show the other team’s best receiver that he can’t catch a ball on him,” Lett said. “He’s worked very hard to get where he is.”

Cam Giles, Sr., Linebacker/Fullback: Giles was forced to start the 2019 season as an offensive lineman and was effective in that role even though it wasn’t where he wanted to be.

“He’s a versatile kid,” Lett said. “He’s got this attitude where he’ll do whatever you ask of him. At the beginning of the year last year we had to play him on the line and he just bought in and thrived in that role and really every role he’s been in.”

Giles – who is 5-foot-11-inches and 200 pounds – also played both defensive end and outside linebacker on defense and was a leader on that side of the ball totaling 50 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss and an interception.

“He was that other guy on the other side of Myles (Parris) that we could rely on to make the tackle,” Lett said. “He’ll also have his role increased on offense, as well.”

Giles will see more time at fullback this season and Lett said more potential carries, as well.

Jeremiah Cunningham, Jr., Running Back: Cunningham got a chance to run the ball late in games last year but the junior wants the ball more often in 2020.

“A switched turn on for him this summer,” Lett said. “He came to me and told me he wanted to run the ball and I told him that he’s got to put the work in.

“He’s showed up every workout and he’s given everything he’s got. He’s putting in the work to try and be someone that we can rely on to carry the ball.”

The 5-foot-8-inch, 180-pound Cunningham will likely be one of many Warhawks that rotate into the backfield to try and fill the hole left by all-time leading rusher Jalen White.

In 2019, Cunningham rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown and also recorded eight tackles, three tackles-for-loss and three sacks on defense.

Omarion Pinckney, Fr., Quarterback: As an eighth grader, Pinckney was Daleville’s backup quarterback and also played in the defensive backfield. In 2020, Pinckney is the only Warhawk to have taken a snap even at practice at quarterback after last year’s quarterback Robert Dees (graduation) and Peanut Bloodsaw (transfer) departed.

“He’ll see a lot of snaps at quarterback on offense and he’s a smart kid,” Lett said. “He’s one of the smarter kids on the team and he’s like a sponge that soaks up everything we throw at him.”

Lett said that if the 5-foot-8-inch, 136-pound Pinckney is the best player at quarterback he has no qualms about starting a freshman either.

Jordan McDonald, Sr., Quarterback/Cornerback: McDonald also steps into the quarterback competition this fall having never played the position. While McDonald has never played that role, he brings a level of athleticism that could be a difference maker for the Warhawks.

“This is Jordan’s fist year playing quarterback but he’s a great athlete that you can put back there and he’s smart enough to distribute the ball where it needs to be and hang onto it when he needs to,” Lett said. “We expect him to be a leader on that side of the ball and to be smart with the ball and do what he is coached to do and make plays.”

The 5-foot-9-inch, 132-pound senior was a starter at both receiver and cornerback in 2019. McDonald had 13 tackles and two pass breakups with one receiving touchdown in 2019. McDonald will also start on the defensive side at cornerback this season.

Cameron Enfinger, Fr., Linebacker/Fullback: Enfinger, who is coming off offseason surgery, played primarily on special teams as an eighth grader but will be called on to start on defense as a freshman. Lett said the 5-foot-10-inch, 181-pound Enfinger’s toughness makes him stand out even as a youngster.

“He’s a hardworking kid that’s not afraid to go out there and hit the biggest and baddest guy out there,” Lett said. “He gives you everything he’s got and he’s going to get a lot of playing time this year, especially on defense.”

Colin Byrd, Sr., Defensive Back/Wide Receiver: While Byrd is going into his senior season, he primarily saw the field late in games, at defensive back, in 2019, but is hard at work to see more playing time in 2020.

“He’s always been a kid that works extremely hard,” Lett said of the 5-foot-9-inch, 145-pound Byrd. “He’s not one of our more athletic kids but will always be one of the more hard-workers. We think he can definitely help us defensively this year.”

Mason Lafferty, Jr., Defensive Back/Linebacker: Lafferty played football for the first time in 2019 and spent much of the season on the scout team, but looks to increase his role in 2020. His coaches described the 5-foot-11-inch, 135-pound Lafferty as a true team player willing to do whatever it takes to make the team better.

“He went from a kid trying to feel out football and then ended up running the ball for us on the scout team,” Lett said. “He’s just a team player and makes everyone else around him better.”

Jacquez Grubbs, Jr., Defensive Lineman/Offensive Lineman: Lett described Grubbs has a hard worker that he expects to make an impact in 2020.

“Jacquez is a kid that worked hard in practice last year and didn’t get to see the field a whole lot,” Lett said. “We expect him to get a lot of experience this year. He’ll be a junior and we expect him to step in and fill some we lost last year and be able to start and give us some quality downs.”

Grubbs will be playing on the offense and defensive line where the Warhawks lost a number of starters from last season.

Corey Holloway, Sr., Defensive Back: The five-foot-8-inch, 150-pound Holloway comes into 2020 with an expanded role in the defensive secondary after playing limited snaps as a junior. Lett said it is a must to get his speed on the field.

“We expect him to come out and be able to play a role for us this year,” Lett said. “He’s a very speedy guy and very athletic. So, we feel like it will be an advantage for us to get his speed on the field.”