Attitude adjustment

VANCEBORO - The West Craven football team has adopted a slogan for the 2008 season - attitude.

Last year, the Eagles were primarily a throwing team. And there were several occasions when they attempted to run the ball in short-yardage situations and were stuffed.

This season, the Eagles are trying to build a tougher mentality.

"By being a throwing team, we kind of lost aggressiveness a little bit," head coach Clay Jordan said. "We have got to get a little more football attitude, as far as toughness goes."

The Eagles experienced a couple tough losses toward the end of last season. West Craven ended 2007 with a 20-13 loss to Bertie County in the second round of the 3-A playoffs.

The Eagles also lost to New Bern by a touchdown and finished the regular season with an 8-0 loss to Havelock.

"I thought we could have advanced a little farther last year," Jordan said. "I think the seniors are hungry."

Entering his 31^st season as Eagles head coach, Jordan has high expectations with senior quarterback Brett Mooring back barking out the signals in 2008.

"We are going to try to advance to win a conference championship and advance deep in the playoffs," Jordan said. "I don't see any reason why we can't play for a championship."

 OFFENSE

West Craven's high-octane pass offense looks just as sharp as it did last year, despite losing wide receivers Jimmy Gross and Serge McMillen.

Mooring threw for 2,721 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.

As a senior, Mooring will have the opportunity to call his own plays.

"He's a savvy football kid and he knows the game," Jordan said. "He understands that he has got to be a leader and he has got a lot of responsibility on his shoulders and I think he is coming along with it."

The wide receiving corps returns deep threat Erik Highsmith and Ryan Murphy. Last year, Highsmith hauled in 45 catches for 736 yards and five touchdowns, while Murphy led the area with 54 catches and racked up 626 yards and five scores.

Tyree Dawson, Jones Senior transfer Jamel Meadows and Pierre Scott will lead a more-prominent running game.

"We are not going to live and die by the run, but we have got to gash up inside," Jordan said.

The offensive line returns only one starter from 2007 - senior Justin Barrows.

Jordan is looking for Michael Jenkins, Chris Whitford, Caleb Moore and Michael Jarman to join Barrows up front.

"We have got to find kids that take pride in what they are doing and get a little down and dirty," Jordan said. "I think they will get better."

 DEFENSE

The biggest concern on defense for West Craven is the secondary.

Safety Rod Cox will be the only returning starter in the defensive backfield, but Murphy, Highsmith, Scott, Chris Pearson and Thomas Ward are all vying for starting roles alongside him.

The Eagles defensive line will be led by senior defensive ends Derrick Hill and Stefan Hill. The inside of the line will be manned by Kevante Staten and Tormel Murrow.

While playing linebacker for Jones Senior last season Meadows recorded 6.5 sacks. Jacquan Crouell and Justin Bryant will also see plenty of time at the linebacker positions for the Eagles.

"If our defense stays ferocious, they are going to be hard to score on," Mooring said.

West Craven opens with a home matchup against Eastern Wayne at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 22.