Many in the Bearden community wondered during the offseason how the Bulldogs would replace Devrin Young, last yearâs Mr. Football in Tennessee. In just three weeks, though, Josh Haney has put most of those concerns to rest. The seniorâs talents were on full display in a 223-yard, three-touchdown performance against William Blount last week. âIt was impressive, thatâs for sure,â Bulldogs quarterback Nicky Frizen said. âI didnât know he had that breakaway speed that he showed.â Haney splits carries with fellow tailbacks Christian Robinson and Trent Waters. âItâs kind of smash and dash and dash, with Trent obviously more of the power runner,â Frizen said. Whenever multiple athletes are competing for playing time, competitive egos are on the line. âIt creates a sense of competition amongst them that in turn helps our team,â tailbacks coach Morgan Shinlever said. âThey have to put their egos aside and work as a unit.â Haney, who rushed for 322 yards and five touchdowns last year as a backup to Young, said he enjoys the competition. âItâs fun,â Haney said. âItâs like a friendly competition. If one guy has a good run out here, you go out and try to do better than he did.â Does that make this backfield more dangerous than the one from a year ago? Maybe not, but having a stable of running backs adds an element of deception to the Bearden offense that was not there last year. âLast year, if Devrin was on the field, you knew where it was going if it was a run situation,â Coach Shinlever said. From this stable, however, Haney has emerged as the lead tailback. âHe has been hitting the hole hard,â Frizen said. Frizen said he expects more of that from Haney and Beardenâs offensive line in Friday nightâs 7:30 p.m. kickoff against Rhea County. âI think our offensive line will blow them off the line,â Frizen said. âI think youâll see more of the same from (Haney).â The Golden Eagles (0-3) are coming off of a 34-14 home loss to McMinn County. Bearden won last yearâs meeting in Evensville 33-0 behind an explosive second half from Young. The Bulldogs (2-1) wonât be able to rely on Young on Friday, but with Haney leading a talented group of replacements, the backfield is in capable hands. âWeâve got a lot of talent back there collectively,â Coach Shinlever said. âI think that makes us a little harder to defend.â
Haney picking up where Young left off
Jacob Steimer
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September 9, 2011
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