DAILY Photo by Michael Wetzel Lawrence County head coach Ernie Ferguson and senior star Matthew Helms discuss ways to improve on the Red Devils' 6-5 record from 2005. In his second year at the Moulton school, Ferguson is preaching ways to keep the Red Devils on the upward movement.

Ernie's encore
Ferguson pushing Red Devils to keep momentum

By Kyle Veazey
DAILY Sports Writer
kveazey@decaturdaily.com · 340-2462

MOULTON — Now that the first step has been made in rebuilding the Lawrence County football program, Ernie Ferguson doesn't want his squad to just be content with the six-win season it had last year.

DAILY Photo by Michael Wetzel Sophomore tight end/defensive end Forrest Aldridge, left, and junior center/defensive end Logan Oliver prepare for Lawrence County practice Thursday.

"The big thing I'm trying to harp on the kids about is a 6-5 season is just an average season," Ferguson said. "We'd like to get more than a 6-5 season. To be able to establish a winning program, you've got to win seven or more games a year and go deep into the playoffs."

But make no mistake: Last year's 6-5 mark and berth in the state playoffs was quite an accomplishment for this school, even if Ferguson's goals are set much higher. It had won just seven games combined in the three years prior to Ferguson's arrival from Killeen, Texas, far from the 10-win season of 2000 and eight wins in 2001.

"That was a major lift for our team and tradition," senior running back and linebacker Matthew Helms said. He'd know, too:

He was in junior high when his brother, Justin, played on the 2000 team that advanced to the semifinals of the playoffs.

The results have been tangible. After carrying between 23 and 26 players last year, Ferguson has about 35 players who started preseason practice in searing heat Monday afternoon. Excitement grew throughout 2005, so much so that Helms says he's hearing much more anticipation from his friends to start 2006.

But for Lawrence County to build on last year's success, it'll have to rely on its skilled players because of heavy losses on the lines.

Though the Red Devils graduated six players off last year's team, four of those were the starting offensive and defensive linemen that helped propel the team to its turnaround.

"This year, it's going to have to be a role reversal," he said.

Ferguson expects Helms and junior quarterback Matthew Pugh to lead the shotgun-based offense, one that Ferguson said looks to run first and pass second.

"We'll probably be a lot more balanced this year," Helms said.

Junior Coty Way and seniors Andrew Echols and Chance Montgomery are looked at as leaders in receiving, as is newcomer Durman Cunningham, a junior.

The trio will look to replace the void left by Pugh's older brother, Chris, who caught 40 passes for 753 yards and six touchdowns.

Ferguson feels similarly about his defense, which will look to mask its inexperience up front.

"Our linebackers are going to have to carry a heavy load to make up for our linemen," Ferguson said.

Helms will be counted on at middle linebacker, as will senior defensive lineman Correy Boyd, senior defensive end Dylan Wallace, junior outside linebacker Radney Wallace and
senior cornerback Jamey Reeves.

"Most of these kids are program kids," Ferguson said. "They're still hungry to shake off the negative years."

Ferguson said he's looking for big things from his special teams units. "We want to avoid the big play and cause the big play," he said, adding that he wants his team to force fumbles and block kicks. "We want to be aggressive almost to a fault."

Another focal point is yet another big play — the interception. Lawrence County set a school record last year with 22 interceptions, and Ferguson plans for his team to break that mark again this season.

He's also looking for more production, points-wise, from his offense. Moving the ball wasn't that big of a problem last year, with Ferguson offering the 380 yards his team gained against Brooks as an example. But he wasn't happy that his team scored just two touchdowns in that game, saying the Red Devils' goal this year is to score three or four per game.

They'll need that to continue to make noise in a tough region. Lawrence County went 5-2 in Class 4A, Region 8, last season, winning three of those games by a touchdown or less. Deshler and Haleyville, which finished in the top two spots last year, continue to figure to be good.

Region 8 lost East Lawrence, though Lawrence County will still play its rival on Aug. 31 in Moulton.

The region gained Rogers, which didn't make the playoffs in Class 3A last year.

Lawrence County schedule, '05 results

Aug. 31 East Lawrence

Sept. 8 at Rogers*

Sept. 15 at Deshler*

Sept. 22 Haleyville*

Sept. 29 at Hatton

Oct. 6 Wilson*

Oct. 13 at Brooks*

Oct. 20 at Central-Florence*

Oct. 27 Hamilton*

Nov. 2 at West Point

*-Class 4A, Region 8

at Huntsville L, 47-12

at East Lawrence W, 48-7

vs. Deshler L, 38-6

at Haleyville L, 41-14

vs. Hatton W, 35-7

at Wilson W, 13-6

vs. Brooks W, 18-15

vs. Central-Florence W, 30-13

at Hamilton W, 28-24

vs. Hazlewood L, 21-20

East Limestone L, 49-7

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