High School Football Tour: New Albany

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NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WCBI) – New Albany loses some key pieces from its 8-5 season in 2012. The Bulldogs went undefeated in their division and made it to the second round of the 4A playoffs for the second-straight year.

They do have some experience coming back with five returning starters on offense and four on defense. But gone from head coach Ron Price’s team are quarterback Spencer Day and 2,000 yard rusher Boston Newsome.

“We’re putting the pieces together where we hope that they need to be, playing seven on seven, we’re doing that as much as we can to get our passing game to where it needs to be,” Price said. “We have the pieces we’re just trying to put them in the right place and get them as much game experience as possible. We lost a 2,000-yard running back and a quarterback that started for us for the last two years. It’s not easy to replace those kids.”

So, a new quarterback, running back and four new offensive lineman enter. The players who will likely step in are Bryce Collins at quarterback and fellow junior, running back Devin Wilson.

Defensively, seniors Larenz Jones and Chris Brown lead the secondary in a defense that the coach feels confident in.

“We feel like that unit is ahead of our offensive unit right now. We have more returners on defense. We feel like we’re faster than we’ve been the last few years on the defensive side and usually that group comes together before the offense does,” Price said.

Our Student Athlete of the Week is junior slot wide receiver Jimmy Baldon. Price says he’s the best player for the Bulldogs as far as speed and athleticism and he’ll be a key leader for 2013.

“Really, I’m just trying to lead a team. We don’t have a lot of leadership. I’m trying to take responsibility for that and do the best I can,” Baldon said.