Amherst Lancers seek strong start, another title

After two straight championship seasons in 2006 and 2007, no one would have begrudged the Amherst Lancers a year off.

But as the wins continued to pile up in 2008, the improbable began to look more and more probable. Broadrun, though, would capture the state title, blanking Amherst 13-0 on a snowy day that played host to an uncharacteristically anemic offensive output from the normally high-flying Lancers.

Ever since the calendar turned to 2009, the Lancers theme and rallying cry has been “unfinished business” and a determination to return to the state championship and claim the third title in four years.

“Our kids played extremely hard last year and, as a group of coaches and as a group of athletes last year, we felt we lost a state championship ring on the field at Liberty University,” head coach Cecil Phillips said. “We feel like we can play with (Broadrun) any given day of the week.”

The confidence that Phillips has in his team stems, in part, from the fact that the Lancers return starters at every offensive skill position.

Quarterback Anthony Rose will again lead the charge, accompanied by a backfield stable highlighted by Mario Vaughn, and twin brothers Jamar and Jamal Glover. Senior Josh Braxton is also back with the team after a year off. Braxton was a 1,000-yard rusher two years ago and provides another potent weapon.

While Rose will take the majority of the snaps, Kirby Anderson, whom Phillips says “brings another dimension to the offense,” will also see playing time under center. That wrinkle will allow Rose to slide out to wide receiver and provide a tall target alongside Chris McDaniel.

While familiar faces and numbers will be all over the field, expect to see newcomers contributing as well, especially on the offensive line where the Lancers are replacing all six starters. Center Gage Berry and offensive guard Kevin Wright are moving up from the JV squad to fill two crucial gaps, while the other four starters will all likely come from last year’s team. Dillon Rush will also start on the line, according to Phillips.

“He’s worked extremely hard in the offseason (and) has put up some impressive numbers in the weight room,” Phillips said.

While Phillips is excited about the fresh talent that he has to replace his departed offensive line, he knows that their performance will be critical to the Lancers success.

“The more confidence they gain throughout the year will allow them to play that much faster, which will enable us to be obviously more successful with our offensive packages,” Phillips said.

The Lancers again face a tough Seminole District schedule highlighted by an October 16 home game against Brookville, the lone regular season loss for Amherst last year. Phillips cited ball control and the elimination of foolish penalties as keys for winning in the Seminole.

With little more than a week of practice in the books, the Lancers are still far from proving if they have what it takes to return to a fourth straight state championship game. The constant, though, from the past three years, which remains, is the attitude that permeates the coaches’ and players’ approach to the upcoming season.

“The approach we took last year (will be) the same approach (this year). It’s a business-like mentality,” Phillips said. “We’re going to go to work Monday through Thursday and have the opportunity to collect a paycheck Friday night.”

For the past three years, those paychecks have been pretty good.