Terrance Ashe would probably love to have an uninterrupted preseason. After entering his first season as the head football coach at Battery Creek with virtually no preparation, the run-up to Ashe’s second season at the helm was disrupted by two separate quarantines due to COVID-19 protocols, but the Dolphins will finally get to hit someone in a different helmet Friday night.
Battery Creek was unable to play any preseason scrimmages and lost about 15 days of practice this season, but after a successful spring practice period and strong participation in summer workouts, Ashe says his team is in a much better place than it was a year ago.
“Our skill guys have a lot of potential,” Ashe said. “We look totally different than what we were last year, scheme-wise.”
Transfer Will White will get the start at quarterback to begin the season, sliding over at least until Hunter Smith returns from injury to operate Ashe’s spread gap offense. He has some capable backfield mates in Jeremiah Dilbert and Dreshaun Brown. Dilbert led the team with 535 rushing yards a year ago, averaging 6.95 yards per carry and scoring four touchdowns, while Brown was a utility player last season but is expected to carry the ball more in 2021. The Dolphins also hope to use bruising fullback Savion Isom in the backfield, assuming he doesn’t have to fill in on the offensive line, which should be a strength with four starters returning. Ashe is also excited about sophomore transfer Naquan Gordon, who will help the Dolphins in the secondary and the receiving corps.
The defense will be led by a strong group of returners, including linebackers Quattrell Livingston and Donnell Washington, two of the teams’ top four tacklers last season. Ty Emmert and Kendall McMillion have emerged as leaders in the secondary, and Tanner McCracken and Anthony Phelan are shaping up to be a solid run-stopping duo on the line. The Dolphins also have a weapon in the powerful leg of senior kicker Ivan Huerta, who was a perfect 17-for-17 on PATs last season and connected on a pair of field goals.
Battery Creek has some large holes to fill with the loss of All-Lowco offensive lineman Lukas Kinsey to graduation and the transfer of versatile standout Jaeon Allen to May River, but overall, Ashe feels the Dolphins should have more talent and depth across the board than a year ago, and he is especially pleased with the vocal leadership coming from the veteran players, something the program has been missing in recent years.
“We’ve just got to do our job,” Ashe said. “Each player’s got to do their job and trust their teammates are going to do their job.”
The early interruptions could result in a slow start for the Dolphins, but they hope to hit their stride by the time region play begins Oct. 2 at Academic Magnet. A win that night would put them halfway to locking up a playoff spot, which is one of Ashe’s goals for 2021.
BATTERY CREEK DOLPHINS FOOTBALL
Coach: Terrance Ashe
Record at BCHS: 2-5 (2nd season)
2020 record: 2-5 overall, 2-3 region
Top returners: RB/LB Dreshaun Brown, LB/TE Quatrell Livingston, LB/TE Donnell Washington, RB/LB Jeremiah Dilbert, WR/DB Ty Emmertt, K Ivan Huerta, DL/OL Tanner McCracken
Notable losses: OL/DL Lukas Kinsey, RB/DB Jaeon Allen
Breakout candidates: DB/WR Naquan Gordan, DL/OL Tanner McCracken, DL/OL Anthony Phelan, DL/OL Jordon Washington, QB Will White
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jeremiah Dilbert, RB: Dilbert averaged nearly seven yards per carry as a junior because he hits the hole hard and is tough to bring down. A big, powerful runner between the tackles, he also has enough bounce to get to the outside and can occasionally break a long one. With an experienced offensive line in front of him, he should get a lot of opportunities this season.
Dreshaun Brown, RB/LB: Brown is a playmaker, plain and simple, and Ashe wants to find more ways to get him involved. He had six tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries — including a scoop-and-score — a year ago, and he also returned a blocked punt for a score. The Dolphins will find him more chances in the backfield this year in hopes of forming a Thunder and Lightning duo with Dilbert.
REGION AND BEYOND
The Dolphins found themselves in the middle of the pack in a top-heavy Region 8-3A last season, and that’s likely their floor this season with the potential to challenge for a spot in the top tier. Oceanside Collegiate looks like the favorite in the region at No. 6 in the Class 3A rankings, but Hanahan will be a strong challenger. Creek will need to take care of business against Academic Magnet and North Charleston to lock up a playoff spot and hope to break through against one or more of the top echelon of teams.
SCHEDULE
8/27 — vs. Thomas Heyward
9/10 — vs. Andrew Jackson
9/17 — at Manning
9/24 — vs. North Central
10/2 — at Academic Magnet*
10/8 — vs. Hanahan*
10/15 — at Bishop England*
10/22 — vs. Oceanside Collegiate*
10/28 — at North Charleston*
*region game
By Justin Jarrett
