Hornets to depend on youth uprising

2008 in review: Aiken High School's senior-heavy football team won its first four games to start the 2008 season, which followed with a 1-2 stretch to start region play.

Aiken's struggles, in conjunction with a parity-filled Region 5-AAAA field, temporarily raised questions about the Hornets' playoff hopes. However, Aiken responded with a four-game winning streak to close the season, a run capped by the Hornets' 21-7 victory over North Augusta High School.

Aiken's 2008 campaign ended on a bad note, though. The Hornets suffered their second loss of the season to Richland Northeast High School in the first round of the playoffs - a 24-7 defeat.

Aiken's high expectations won't change this year.

"Our expectations are the same every year," Aiken coach Carey Johnson said.

Returning stars: Lineman Drew Fairchild will be the Hornets' only returning starter in 2009, but running back Aubrey Johnson will also return in the backfield for the Hornets.

Johnson, Cortez Abney and Jeremy Robinson were the feature backs in Aiken's "running back by committee system," but Abney graduated and Robinson transferred to Midland Valley High School.

New faces: Aiken's football team will live up to its full mascot name in 2009 - the Fighting Hornets will be especially Green to begin the season.

Quarterback Billy Vickers will lead Aiken's youthful legion, and Johnson hopes that the junior will employ the mental prowess to match his physical tools.

"He has a strong arm, and he's a very quick young man. We just have to make sure he's on the mental game that it takes to be a general on the field," Johnson said. "That comes from a lot of repetition. Experience is the best teacher in that area, so we'll see where that goes."

A talented pool of running backs will only accentuate Johnson's "running back by committee" philosophy. Devante Perkins and Devontai Pope, a sophomore, enjoyed success at the Aiken County Football Jamboree; Pope's 49-yard touchdown run represented the Hornets' only points in the scrimmage. Pope's fellow classmate, Cedric Wise, likely represents the future of the Hornet backfield. Marquiez Garvin, who enjoyed a strong second half to the 2008 campaign, will also return as a running back for the Hornets.

The Hornets' roster will also house a number of talented linemen. Johnson "expects big things" from junior Darius Bowers and senior Phillip Carnley. Johnson also mentioned Stanley Stroman, Antoine Winfield and Devon Johnson - likely the Hornets' starting tight end - as factors on the line.

Marquette Thomas, a sophomore, will likely be a standout linebacker for the Hornets. Desmond Withers might be the most reliable player in Aiken's secondary, which will also consist of Wise and Mario Abney, among others.

"We have a lot of new kids and some kids that did see some playing time last year," Johnson said. "I'm anxious to see where we are."

Games to watch: Johnson didn't say much about the schedule, noting that "I'm right at Berkmar." However, the Hornets will make the short trip across town Aug. 28 to take on longtime rival South Aiken High School, which will follow with a trip to Petticoat Junction to face Silver Bluff High School the following week. Aiken held on for a 14-7 victory over Silver Bluff's Bulldogs last year and limited South Aiken's Thoroughbreds to a safety in a 28-2 win last summer.

Region play will open with a three-game gauntlet - the Hornets will travel to face Lexington (Sept. 25) and Irmo (Oct. 2) high schools, which will follow with a home date against Richland Northeast, which tormented the Hornets in 2008.

Aiken's region and regular-season finale will commence at North Augusta on Nov. 6.

When Aiken has the ball: "We'll still play ball-control and try to eat up the clock," Johnson said at Monday's practice as he noted the success of Aiken's Wing-T offense. Aiken's Wing-T requires strong play from the linemen and tends to highlight the program's strength - depth at the running back position.

Aiken ran a number of two-back shotgun sets at a recent practice, though. Those offensive adjustments may allow Vickers to shine as a dual-threat quarterback.

When the opponent has the ball: The Hornets are also "doing a little tweaking" on defense as well. The Hornets are "playing around with the 3-5 defense," according to Johnson, which will be a change from Aiken's traditional split 4-4 defense.

The 3-5 defense will bolster the efforts of the versatile Fairchild and take advantage of Aiken's team speed.

Something special: Aiken's Alex Hamrick returns to the Hornets this season with an endorsement from Prokicker.com, a website that supports and brings light to kicking camps for famed college and NFL punter Ray Guy. Prokicker.com ranked Hamrick second among punters and kickoff specialists statewide and fourth among punters statewide, regardless of class. Additionally, the website ranked Hamrick third among kickers and punter/kickers in South Carolina, regardless of class.

Overall outlook: Johnson expects the Hornets to compete for a region crown, regardless of youth. Steady improvements throughout the season have defined Johnson's program throughout the years - last season's regular-season finish speaks to that trend.

Johnson hopes for a similar result in 2009 and works toward that task one week at a time.

"We're taking it one game at a time," Johnson said, "and trying to improve each day."