Southern Lab Prepares for Repeat

Sometimes success on the field can make you complacent, everybody telling you that you are the best, or seeing your name is the paper or how old school coaches say, reading the clippings are a few ways to take the edge off and not make you as hungry for that success as you once were. That success that made you outwork your peers, that success you want so bad that you can feel it in your bones. Success brings change, seasons change and players change but one constant year end and year out has been the success and competitiveness of the Southern Lab football team. And coming off a remarkable 2021 state championship run, the 2022 Kittens are poised for another run to the “Dome” and from the looks of it, they are as humble and hungry as they were in years before.     #70, [player_tooltip player_id=’276317’ first=’Carlos’ last=’Sanders’] Jr.   OL / DL   6’3” / 285 lbs.   Hudl: <a href="https://t.co/bAg9OtyOWl">https://t.co/bAg9OtyOWl</a>   Twitter: @littylos1   Southern Lab is led up front by one of the area’s best interior linemen in [player_tooltip player_id=’276317’ first=’Carlos’ last=’Sanders’], Jr. Last year the junior racked up over 40 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and a ton of pancakes as well. When asked about the 2021 season Sanders mentioned that they are working hard to get the younger teammates up to speed because they are a young team and if he and the other players with more game experience can get them together then they have a good chance of repeating the same success they experienced in 2021. Knowing that it’s always hard to repeat and that they will get everyone’s best game is a challenge but challenge champions don’t back down from. Sanders has all the measurable and checks all the boxes for a lineman… he is big, nasty, tactical, has good hand placement, and works his feet well. But more importantly, he is a team-first guy leading the way for the kitten’s road back to the dome.     #53, Senoj Jones   C / G   5’11” / 290 lbs.   Hudl: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/profile/13224647">http://www.hudl.com/profile/13224647</a>   Twitter: @SenojJones12   The anchor of the offensive line is Senoj Jones. The versatile senior Center who also took snaps at guard last year but will be the driving force for the kittens upfront who are expecting to have a big season. Jones stated that this upcoming season I’m looking for us to come together more as a team and do the needed things that will open the door that leads back in the dome. We as seniors have to display the right leadership and most importantly, we want to play hard and have fun with my teammates for my senior year. “Football is basically the game of life because it gives you the stepping stones in life and teaches you to never give up on dreams.”     #71, Gideon Spottsville   DT / OT   6’2” / 295   Hudl: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16507290/Gideon-Spottsville">https://www.hudl.com/profile/16507290/Gideon-Spottsville</a>   Twitter: @GideonSpotts   On the opposite side of the ball for Southern Lab is senior Gideon Spottsville, who was sometimes a one-man wrecking crew Kittens. He pops on film, #71 is big, strong, good with his hands and feet, active and is always around the ball. He back for the ball reminds you of former Lab standout DT Derrick Coon who was an absolute headache trying to scheme, block and stop. Gideon who saw mainly snaps on the defensive side of the ball will also see plenty of snaps on the offensive side of the ball this year. Spottsville said that it doesn’t matter where he plays, he just wants his team to have a good season and defend our state championship title, I believe in our team and we have been working hard to get ready for the upcoming season.     #6 Antonio Donahue   WR / DB / KR   6’0” / 190 lbs.   Hudl: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/v/2GeWrF">https://www.hudl.com/v/2GeWrF</a>   Twitter:@Antonio_ARJ_   Donahue coming off a remarkable 2021 season where he is primed for an even bigger 2022 campaign. Following in the footsteps of legendary SU Lab playmakers like John Simon, Delwyn Daigre, and Marlon Williams Donahue has the skill set to be as impactful as other players that have downed the green and gold. Antonio is fast, runs good routes, had exceptional hands, and has the ability to adjust and make plays when the ball is on the air. The senior WR/DB believes that they can make another run at state but also believes that they as seniors and upper clansman have to set the right example for the younger teammates that will develop team chemistry and set the tone that’s needed in order for them to have a successful season. One thing Donahue said he learn from the seniors last year is to always be at the same pace and the importance of good communication and these are some of the tools he will use to lead as a senior for the 2022 season.

Sometimes success on the field can make you complacent, everybody telling you that you are the best, or seeing your name is the paper or how old school coaches say, reading the clippings are a few ways to take the edge off and not make you as hungry for that success as you once were. That success that made you outwork your peers, that success you want so bad that you can feel it in your bones. Success brings change, seasons change and players change but one constant year end and year out has been the success and competitiveness of the Southern Lab football team. And coming off a remarkable 2021 state championship run, the 2022 Kittens are poised for another run to the “Dome” and from the looks of it, they are as humble and hungry as they were in years before.