With its fourth head coach since 2012 and only two winning seasons, the Lawrence Central High School football team was looking for a shot in the arm. Enter William Patterson, who played at nearby Lawrence North and earned the Indianapolis City Coach-of-the-Year honors last fall for turning around the Tech High School program. Needless to say, Patterson is the right man at the right time and aiming to take the Bears back to their greatness as they won a state title in 2010 and 2012.
"Coming into the season, I just want to be physical and play with passion and energy," Patterson told Sideline Prep Sports Report.
However, the first-year coach was put behind the eight ball immediately as the COVID-19 pandemic shut programs down until July 6.
"We will get the best out of our time in preparing. Nobody outside of us cars where we are as a program, and I don't want them to. I look it as another way to get better. I think COVID-19 has impacted us all. Whether guys go out and pay for training or do pick up 7-on-7, nothing is the grind of football. You need to practice football to be really good at it, so I think most programs will see similar impact from the circumstances," Patterson said.
After graduating many key players from last year, Patterson told Sideline Prep Sports Report positions on both sides of the ball are wide open. He said not many of the young players from last fall played a lot.
"So, I am excited to have some good, young talent that we can grow and develop," Patterson said.
Offensively, the Bears will lean on its line, which has nice size and is anchored by seniors Kevin Wilson and Devin Asher, as well as junior Isaiah Webster and sophomore Andre Dumas. Patterson singled out Jordan Carroll, a 6-foot-5-inch, 280 pound tackle, as someone he is excited to see.
"I've seen some talented young kids on film in Jordan Shelton, Charles Vaden and Monte May. Joshua Hill is our lone returning running back, and he will share the load with a couple guys. We will mix it up at the quarterback position, but we have some really talented guys there," Patterson said.
On the other side of the football, all of the projected starters on the line are 6-foot-4 or taller.
"I've got several guys that will help out up front, but I am super geeked about that. Jacob Griffin, Emmanuel McGee and Joshua Mickens will be great for us there. Asher and Webster will help out there as well with some other great young guys," Patterson said.
As for the secondary, Lawrence Central will return several guys and are the most experienced group on the field, according to Patterson.
"Jahmad Harmon, Jihad Wilson, Leo Duke, Jackson Battles are experienced on the back end. We're expecting big things out of some young guys in Tylen Cunningham and CJ Irvin. Our linebackers bring back a mix of power and speed, which we will desperately need," Patterson said.
According to Patterson, Tyrone Temple loves contact, and he combined with Donovan Hardin and Chris Blackwell will all be counted on to bring energy to the defense.
"As of right now, we don't have any guys committed to play college ball, but I would expect that to change once we can get guys on film and visiting schools," Patterson said.
Lawrence Central opens the 2020 season
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