'Small steps' ahead for Lions

Little Rock McClellan is poised to take a few positive steps forward in 2014.

The Lions return 17 starters (eight on offense and nine on defense) among their 75 players out for football, are deep at the running back position and sport a solid, aggressive secondary. But they still must overcome their own misfortunes.

Since posting a 7-5 record in 2003, the Lions are a combined 14-86-1 in the past 10 seasons.

"I've told my staff and the kids that this program was not torn down overnight, so don't expect it to be rebuilt overnight," said Maurice Moody, who is in his second season as McClellan's coach. "We're taking small steps ... but eventually we're going to get this program turned around.

"One of the things we wanted was to get the numbers up. Well, they are up. Another thing we wanted to work on was getting all of our kids eligible. We've got that where it needs to be. ... It just takes a lot to get a program turned around."

The Lions' backfield will revolve around three-year starter Ezekiel Baldwin, 5-6, 180 pounds. Junior Trenton Lewis, 6-0, 220, and sophomore Raeshon Young, 6-0, 230, will help share the load.

"I feel really comfortable at the running back position," Moody said. "Baldwin is a bit undersized, but Zek runs the ball really, really hard. He makes cuts that no one else sees. His vision is really great. He works hard."

More than two weeks into the fall practice, the Lions have yet to settle on a quarterback. Sophomores Dalvron Childs, 5-11, 165, and Pierre Strong, 6-1, 175, have their strong suits. Strong is the better runner; Childs is the more successful passer.

"We're going to take some lumps with both of them," said Moody, who also said he expects his team to improve on its average of 11.3 points per game from a year ago. "Both of them are students of the game, and both are doing what we're asking of them.

"We may end up playing a two-quarterback system. I don't like it, but it may be something we have to do."

McClellan's defense gave up 36.1 points per game a year ago, but the Lions caused more than 20 turnovers. Moody said his defense, led by senior outside linebacker T.J. Stubbs, will show that same aggressiveness.

"That won't change," Moody said. "We will come at you. They run to the football and they're mad when they get there. That's the way we preach it to them."

Moody said Stubbs, 6-2, 185, is a natural leader and that his teammates rally behind him.

"What [Stubbs] says goes and no one questions it. They just do it," Moody said. "He's just a joy to be around. He's a darn good football player, but he's an even better kid."

The Lions secondary is solid with seniors Jacolby Davis, 6-1, 190 and Aaron Smith, 6-0, 195, leading at the safety positons.

"We have great length and we can cover," Moody said. "They're outstanding. They're going to be play-makers. They love to tackle and they will hit you. ... They also love to talk. They are good at communicating with each other, and I think that's a sign we're going to be a good football team."

Getting off to a good startmay be the key to the Lions' season.

"Even with two young quarterbacks, I think we have the pieces around them to be a pretty good football team," Moody said. "We have to come out and make a statement early. I think it's going to tell us what kind of season we're going to have.

"If we go to Sheridan for our first game and get blown out, it could be a long season for McClellan. I won't sugarcoat that. But if we can go down there and make a statement, I think we can compete with anyone on our schedule."

Sports on 08/21/2014