RedZone: Akins Era brings new energy to Longhorn program
Two seasons removed from their last state championship, the Marengo Academy Longhorns find themselves facing the same challenge as the previous year – small numbers and new leadership. However, “Momma called” and wooed native son, David Akins, back to the home turf.
Akins, a 1977 graduate, returned to Linden after spending the majority of his professional career in Tuscaloosa. Akins brings a successful resume as offensive coordinator and athletic director with him and will serve as headmaster as well as head coach. Arriving somewhat late in the preseason, Akins does not plan to overload his players trying to get in extra practices. “I really don’t believe in doing two-a-days unless you have a really experienced club where you’re doing a lot of sophisticated things,” said Akins. “The 14 practices that we will get will be sufficient for what we want to do.”Akins believes in structure and discipline and says that his players are ready to adhere to the plan and process every day with the goal of just getting better each and every day. He believes in positive reinforcement and that it is really helping develop the team’s mentality.
Nine players return from the 2017 team and will be joined by 13 new faces. The limited numbers will see the Longhorns utilize a ground game to offset the number of players, while using the passing game to keep defenses honest.
Four seniors return for the 2018 season. Casey Cramer will be at the helm of the ‘Horns offense and will be joined in the backfield by Alex Owens. Owens will assume fullback duties, which will be the key to the Longhorn offense, and also be the defensive leader. Carson Etheridge (6-5, 321), Patrick Ballard (6-3, 240) and junior Ethan Biggs (5-11, 260) will be the mainstays of the offensive and defensive lines. The Longhorn defense will play an odd man front most of the time and those three will set the tone for success. Trey Etheridge, the only other returning junior, should also see increased roles and responsibilities on both sides of the ball.
“We talk about play vs. play. Each individual play lasts about six seconds and we want to run about 50-60 of those a game. If they can give us that six seconds for 50-60 plays per game, we can be successful – if we give great effort,” Akins said. “We want to win every single play, dominate every single play.” The Longhorns success will be gauged on how much better they are at the end of the year, versus the beginning of the year.
Daniel Bedwell will join Akins as running backs and linebackers coach. Akins will work primarily with offensive and defensive lines. Dillon Webb will work with wide receivers and the defensive secondary.
The first challenge of the year will be a fierce one. The Longhorns will host region foe and 2017 AISA Class A state champion Patrician Academy to open the season at home on Aug. 17. Three road games at Jackson, Clarke Prep and region foe Southern won’t be cake walks. The Longhorns then take on Meadowview and Wilcox at home, with Wilcox being one region foe they defeated last year to put the Longhorns in the playoffs. Three of the next four will be road games, with an Oct. 19 visit to their first round playoff opponent, Chambers. The ‘Horns will round out the year with South Choctaw at home.
If the Longhorns can stick to Akins’ plan and principles and get some key wins, they could very well see themselves playing in the first round of the playoffs again this November.