12 Aug 2012 ENGLAND: Lions back to fundamentals under Farmer
Classification: 6-2A
Coach: Terry Farmer
Last Season: 5-6 (3-4)
The England Lions are focusing on fundamentals under new head coach Terry Farmer.
“Everything is new, so my expectations are going to be made one game at a time,” Farmer said. “First of all, we need to make sure the fundamentals are there. We have to establish the running game on offense and stop the running game on defense.”
The Lions will look to senior running back Curtis Rogers (5-7, 165) to establish a running game. He’ll be running behind two seniors on the line — Trent Cheek (6-2, 275) and Drew Pitts (6-2, 215).
As far as stopping the run is concerned, the Lions will depend heavily on a linebacker to do that —
senior Jordan Ross. Ross is a member of this year’s 501 Football Team.
“Jordan is always around the ball on defense and seems to just keep making plays,” said former England Coach Brandon Barbaree, who nominated Ross. “He has 253 career tackles; he is eight tackles away from the all-time school record.”
England has made the playoffs the last two seasons and will look to keep that streak alive this fall.
“The 6-2A is very good and always has been,” Farmer said. “We have tough teams like Carlisle, Des Arc and Hazen, so we will have to prove ourselves and establish a name for our program.”
501 Football Team 2012 –
Jordan Ross
Classification: Senior
Position: LB/RB
On the field: Great leadership and commitment, voice of the team.
Off the field: Intelligent and an extremely hard worker. He’s a 3.0 GPA student and works every summer.
Community work: Volunteers for the Little Lion football camp and is a role model to younger students.
Sportsmanship: Jordan is a tough, hard- nosed football player, but understands the right way to play the game.
Classroom: High work ethic and high integrity.
Expectations: To lead this team in tackles and forced turnovers while leading this team to a great season.
Last season: He recorded 120 tackles and three interceptions. Jordan is always around the ball on defense and seems to just keep making plays.
