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Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

Trojans mature into strong team

Tattnall Square head football coach Barney Hester knew early on that this season would not be easy.

During the early stages of the season, in which Tattnall won just one of its first three games, the Trojans’ offense was young and unsettled, and the defense was not playing they way Hester thought it would. It looked as if a long season was awaiting a team that had been a perennial powerhouse in the GISA.

But Hester and his coaching staff have managed to find a winning combination. Tattnall has reeled off six straight wins, and the Trojans captured their 17th region championship when they beat FPD last week.

“I am pleasantly surprised that this (team) has played so well lately,” Hester said. “They have matured as a group, and it will be interesting to see how far we can go.”

Leading the way for the Trojans has been the youthful running combination of sophomores John Rader and Andrew Layson. The two have combined for more than 1,000 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. Add the maturity of quarterback Ryan Bartholomew, who has thrown for 630 yards and eight touchdowns, and the Trojans’ offense has grown strong.

“We had to find a way to score points, Hester said. “John and Andrew have grown up this year and have turned into good football players. It took Ryan some time to get used to our offense, but he is playing very good football right now. We knew it would take some time with him coming into this system, but we also knew he was a very good football player.”

Rader said he had no doubt that the Trojans would turn things around.

“The players never stopped believing that this was going to be a good year for us,” Rader said. “We knew that we had to rebuild in some areas, but I always believed that it would come together. We were making way too many mistakes early in the season, but we have learned from it.

“I love pounding the ball at the defense and letting them try to stop us. I think we will just continue to get better.”