Lancaster Bruins plan to run, run, run

The Lancaster Bruins got things turned around last season, and head coach Bobby Collins is looking for this season’s team to be even better.

Collins, who begins his second year at the helm of the Bruins’ program, hopes the momentum from last season’s 8-4 record and second round playoff run can carry over into the 2015 campaign.

“The kids understand more of what we want after they have been around us for a year,” said Collins. “After seeing what we did last year, they understand why we practice at such a high level.”

Last season the Bruins relied on both the running game and passing game. This season will be the same, except the running game will be used to open up the passing attack.

“We will use a solid running game to exploit our passing attack,” said Collins. “Once we get our running game going, we can use play-action passes and screens effectively.”

Despite the fact that the Bruins lost several starters on offense, including North-South all-star receiver Jay Hood, who will play football at Wingate University, Collins feels like he has some outstanding candidates to replace them.

“We have some kids who are working hard in the running back position,” said Collins.

Quinton Johnson, a senior; and Farrika Grier and Ant’Tavis Foster, a pair of juniors, are working in the running back spots. Grier averaged 5.2 yards per carry and scored five touchdowns last year for the Bruins, while Foster got nearly 40 carries late in the season.

The running game needs a strong offensive line in order to function properly, and Collins has some good players working there. Seniors Lewis Johnson, Charlie Ellis, Graham Banks, and Caleb Funderburk, who average about 260 pounds, are being counted on to lead the offensive effort upfront.

“We will be young on offense this fall,” said Collins. “However, I like the way we have worked thus far on that side of the ball.”

With so many starting spots to replace from a year ago, Collins is hoping some continuity from a year ago will help.

“Our entire coaching staff coached both varsity and JV last year,” said Collins. “We know those kids returning from varsity and those coming up from JV. More importantly, they know us and our system.”

Collins also knows that the Bruins will have to work harder this season to continue the improvement shown in the program last season. Region 3-3A boasts the defending state champions, South Pointe, Union County and Broome, which are always tough, and teams with new coaches in Clinton and Chester.

“The region will be a lot tougher than it was last year,” said Collins. “There are some outstanding coaches and players in this region. There is no doubt that this is the toughest Class 3A region in the state.”

However, Collins is not backing away from the challenge his young Bruins will face this fall.

“Playing in this region really prepares you for the playoffs,” he said.

Collins says his coaching staff is the best he has ever been around.

“There is college experience on this staff, and we work together very well,” said Collins. “Each coach knows his area, and they work with both varsity and JV at every practice session.”

Lancaster’s JV team last season had a lot of success just like the varsity. That along with the continuity of the same staff, and even more numbers in the program gives Collins a reason to be optimistic.

“Despite our youth as a team, we are progressing very well thus far,” said Collins. “The expectations are higher because of last year. It is a tough challenge because we lost so many seniors, but I like our team leadership, and I like our enthusiasm and dedication so far.”

This story was originally published August 17, 2015 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Lancaster Bruins plan to run, run, run."