Spring Outlook: Lexington Wildcats

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LEXINGTON | </strong>Dustin Curtis is back at home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was 20 years ago when he shared the backfield with Demetris Summers. He's now back at his alma mater Lexington High School as head coach and athletics director.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watching Curtis oversee the first week of spring practice with the Wildcats, he's clearly comfortable with his surroundings both from a personal and personnel standpoint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It feels really neat,” he said. “Really special. Got a couple of other guys on staff that played here. There's obviously a comfort level. Even though I haven't coached here, you just have so much familiarity with where you are and the people around here. I've been a head coach long enough now that I feel like I'm in a groove and know what I'm doing and now, it's just kind of getting to know the players better and staff and grow together during the spring.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Making the coaching transition to Curtis smooth at Lexington are his top returning seniors. Starting quarterback<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='208887' first='Taiden' last='Mines'] </strong>has provided leadership on offense by pushing practice tempo and bringing energy to the workouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mines, who amassed over 2,600 total yards and 29 touchdowns last season, said he's focused on working on his reads with the wide receivers. It's a young group at the position, especially with returning leading wide receiver, rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464895' first='Brandon' last='Cromer']</strong>, playing baseball right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats are also looking to find a replacement at running back with the graduation of South Carolina Mr. Football finalist <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443502' first='Jonah' last='Norris']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're getting a lot of new faces coming up and I think the biggest thing is just giving them confidence and letting them know they can fill those shoes and we'll be good,” Mines said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Curtis also praised returning offensive lineman<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1142708' first='Ryan' last='McFarland']</strong>, who leads an experienced group upfront for the Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the defensive side of the football, Curtis praised the play of <strong>Dylan Bolan</strong> on the defensive line and middle linebacker <strong>Matthew McAuley</strong>'s overall enthusiasm.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448988' first='Christian' last='Sexton'] </strong>was the team's leading tackler with 100 last season. He's worked to add 15 pounds of muscle to his 6 '1, 210-pound frame and increase his speed as he prepares to move from middle to outside linebacker for his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's been different, just getting used to his new tactics,” he said. “Everything's been pretty different, but we're rolling.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On special teams, Curtis plans to bring his aggressive style to Lexington. He also sees players like rising junior <strong>Lorenzo Katio </strong>and <strong>Nigel Lewis</strong> as capable kick returners and expects to have placekicker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800020' first='Tyler' last='Chavis'] </strong>back in camp following the end of the soccer season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the next two weeks and through the summer, Curtis will focus more on preparing his team rather than focus on future opponents. Lexington will open the Curtis era Aug. 18 at home against West Florence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["448988"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":815976,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cli style=u0022list-style-type: noneu0022u003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eLed the Wildcats in tackles last season (100) playing at middle linebacker. He's expected to move to outside linebacker this season.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eShows quickness and speed in making tackles at the line of scrimmage.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eHas improved his overall bench press and squat in the weight room during the off-seasonu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eBoth a quiet leader who also leads by exampleu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eAthletic family. Older sister, Alexis, was a 3-time All-State guard who now plays in collegeu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646443f7b4fdf"} /-->