Team Preview: Leesville Road Seeks Respect

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="44972" first="John" last="Mark Shaw"] (6'5" 205, QB)</strong> returns from last season State Playoff Team to lead the offensive unit for the upcoming season. He finished last season with 616 passing yards and 6 passing TDs for a run-oriented offense. John will hand the ball off to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="303084" first="DJ" last="Scott"] (5'10" 165, RB) and [player_tooltip player_id="387386" first="Jay" last="Snelling"] (5'8" 160, RB)</strong> to gain yardage while utilizing their speed to accelerate past defenders. DJ finished last season with 1,591 rushing yards and 20 rushing TDs. Jay finished last season with 515 rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="308517" first="Austin" last="Winslow"] (6'6" 280, OL), [player_tooltip player_id="387390" first="Tripp" last="Poole"] (6'1" 245, OL), and [player_tooltip player_id="370872" first="Brock" last="Winstead"] (6'2" 265, OL)</strong> are technique-sound offensive linemen who use upper body strength to control defenders while opening lanes for the running backs. They do a good job pass-blocking on the passing plays to protect the quarterback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leesville Road had one of the state's top defensive units during the past season. The defensive unit is expected to limit opposing offenses from scoring on them. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="387408" first="Elijah" last="Mickle"] (6'1" 270, DL), [player_tooltip player_id="339180" first="Xavier" last="Lewis"] (6'1" 230, DL), and [player_tooltip player_id="263960" first="Braxton" last="Lassiter"] (6'4" 285, DL)</strong> are technique-sound defensive linemen with good use of hands to control blockers while moving past them for stops. Braxton finished last season with 39 total tackles, 13 of the tackles were for losses. Elijah, Xavier, and Braton are expected to anchor the defensive line. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="387415" first="Jacob" last="Lail"] (5'10" 175, LB) and [player_tooltip player_id="387420" first="Micah" last="Purvis"] (5'11" 215, LB)</strong> move well laterally and displayed the patience to let the play develop before reacting. They used their quickness and good technique to control blockers to make stops. Jacob finished last season with 67 total tackles, 4 of the tackles were for losses. Micah finished last season with 27 total tackles, 2 of the tackles were for losses. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="387403" first="Josiah" last="Gary"] (5'9" 170, DB)</strong> is solid technique-sound defensive back who does a good job covering wide receivers. He finished last season with 41 total tackles and is expected to lead the defensive secondary. Leesville Road will contend for the conference crown and advance into the state playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"providerNameSlug":"wordpress"} /--> <!-- wp:gallery {"linkTo":"none","sizeSlug":"full"} --> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"><!-- wp:image {"id":107118,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/JMShaw.png" alt="" class="wp-image-107118"/><figcaption>Photo: Elite 11</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery --> <!-- wp:gallery {"linkTo":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->