Huntingdon counting on deep secondary for defensive success

By Chuck Tidmore

Sports Information Assistant 

MONTGOMERY, Ala.  – The Huntingdon football team concluded its fourth practice of the preseason on Sunday. After two days in shorts, and two days in shorts and shoulders pads, the Hawks will take the field in full gear at 9 a.m. on Monday.

"It was a spirited practice today," head coach Mike Turk said. "We got a little heat Saturday for the first time and it was different. We didn't handle it well. It was hot again today, but the guys got after it, fought through it and got better."

Through the first four days of practice, Turk likes what he is seeing out of the Hawks' secondary. Huntingdon has to replace All-American safety and USA South Defensive Player of the Year Anthony White and all-conference cornerback Brendon Brown. But the Hawks return four defensive backs who have experience as starters and several others who have game experience.

Among the group are two of the Hawks' top-five tacklers from last season. Junior Anthony Wood was fourth on the team with 54 tackles in 2015 and junior Austin Washington was fifth with 53 tackles. Washington also had three interceptions.

Among the other returning defensive backs, junior Demetrius Brown, junior Demetrius Beverly and senior Jordan Smith combined for 62 tackles.

"We've got several guys we can put on the field and we know they can play," Turk said. "Wood, Beverly and Washington all started games for us last year and Smith started for us two years ago. Austin Adams, Jarrett White and Brown have all played well for us and are looking good in the preseason. Gentry Allen and Charlie Jones don't have as much game experience, but they have a really good idea of what is going on.

"Really, as far as numbers and guys we can rely on, we're probably as good as we've every been. That is exciting."