08.15.07
Smith will carry the load for East
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Smith will carry the load for East
BY BRAD RIDDELL, Californian staff writer
e-mail: briddell@bakersfield.com | Tuesday, Aug 14 2007 11:35 PM
Last Updated: Tuesday, Aug 14 2007 11:40 PM
East High may have lost a great deal of senior talent from last year’s team, but the Blades will have one thing that’s quickly becoming an East staple — speed.
It all starts with tailback/cornerback Andre Smith. Coach Jim Maples would like to get Smith the ball 20-30 times a game, and then rely on speedy peripheral players to make plays as well.
“He’s the fastest kid I’ve coached,” Maples said of Smith. “He’s so explosive, when he gets in the open, when he gets to the edge, he’s gone.”
Opponents watched Smith turn the corner on them plenty of times in 2006. But can Smith stay healthy with a greater work load?
Eddie Morrow will step in for Jan Wollitz at quarterback. Morrow, a star on East’s track team, could take pressure off of Smith by developing quickly.
On defense, junior Edward Nuu will take over at middle linebacker to lead a young defense. While the Blades will be inexperienced, they may have enough speed to mask any youthful issues.
