South-Doyle coach Clark Duncan (Photo: Danny Parker)
There was plenty of optimism when South-Doyle came out of spring football in mid-May, and for good reason.
Ten starters from the 2018 team return on both sides of the ball. The only fulltime starter gone is Ton’Quez Ball, who played wide receiver and cornerback and signed with Tulane.
South-Doyle coach Clark Duncan lost three key players to ACL tears in 2018 when the Cherokees (7-4, 5-1 in Region 2-5A) lost at home in the first round of the playoffs to Bristol’s Tennessee High, 24-17.
All three went through spring practices and are full speed for fall camp.
“We feel like we’ve got as good experience as we’ve ever had,” Duncan said. “We’ve got a really strong senior class, but I think the four classes that are on campus right now are really special, so there’s going to be really good football (at South-Doyle) over the next several years.”
Several of the Cherokees were part-time for spring football due to commitments with the track team, and their absences benefitted others who got more snaps.
South-Doyle had scrimmages against Bearden and William Blount.
“It was a very productive spring,” Duncan said.
The Cherokees’ skill players kept the momentum going last week with an outstanding showing at a 7-on-7 camp at the University of Tennessee, missing a spot in the championship game on a last-second play in their final game.
“We did exceptionally well against some really talented teams out of Georgia,” Duncan said.
South-Doyle opens the season at Fulton on Saturday, Aug. 24.
As the Cherokees prepare for more 7-on-7 work, here are some takeaways from spring practices:
subscribe to read full article