Announcement
Reprinted from The Athens Banner-Herald, August 24, 2008 Athens Area Prep Sports Preview edition
By Jeff Cochran | jeffrey.cochran@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 3:04 pm on 8/21/2008
DANIELSVILLE - Madison County coach Randall Owens doesn't know what to make of senior Aldreakis Allen.
It is a good problem for a coach to have.
"What is he?" Owens said. "Is he a linebacker? Is he a safety? Is he a receiver? Is he a running back? He's got a lot of ability."
For Allen and the rest of the Red Raiders, the answer to all of Owens questions is an assertive "Yes." The do-it-all senior will be reprising his multiple roles this season while adding a new one: team leader.
"It feels good," Allen said. "I'm just trying to be a leader and help out my team when I can."
As for the problem of when and where to line up, Allen has a simple solution.
"Wherever they put me, I'll play," he said.
After a sophomore season in which he was named first-team All-State as a receiver, Allen added the roles of running back and safety in his junior season. It was the opportunity he had been waiting for.
"I was excited," Allen said. "I always wanted to play defense, but they would only let me play offense. I wanted to hit some one."
During 2007, which the Red Raiders finished 5-5, Allen embraced his multi-role responsibility, leading the team in three key categories.
He led the team in rushing with 616 yards (5.4 per carry) and seven touchdowns. He also was the Red Raiders' top receiver, catching 37 passes for 796 yards and five touchdowns. On defense, he finished the season with 58 tackles and three interceptions.
"It's his versatility," Owens said. "As a receiver, he does a great job of getting to the football. We used him so much as a running back that his yardage quadrupled. On top of that, what he did for us on defense was big."
Allen is just one of several skill players returning for Madison County. Junior quarterback Jacob Owens and junior wide receiver Bracken Turner add some potency to the offense.
The Red Raiders are lacking experience on both offensive and defensive lines. Each only feature one senior and are mostly comprised of juniors.
Allen, however, is going to make sure that senior leadership is one of Madison County's strengths this season.
"This year is more about leadership," he said. "I've just got to take over. I've been listening to seniors and upperclassmen all my life and I just pick up on what they told me and relate it back to this year."
As for next year, the prospects of Allen playing in college are strong, but he doesn't want to commit until after the season.
Even college scouts don't know what to make of the receiver/running back/safety. Liberty University in Virginia is scouting him as a receiver and Presbyterian College sees him as a running back.
Until then, he's not worried about wearing himself out filling three roles.
"It's tiring," he said, "but I'm a little energizer batter. I just keep going because I love the game."
CLOSER LOOK AT THE RED RAIDERS
BRICKS AND MORTAR
Region: 8-AAAA
Last year's record: 5-5
Last year's region record: 3-3
Coach: Randell Owens
Stadium: Red Raider Stadium
Offensive scheme: Spread
Defensive scheme: Multiple eight-man front
Key players: WR/RB/S Aldreakis Allen (Sr., 6-0, 208 pounds), LB Cody Esco (Sr., 6-0, 215), TE/DB Claude Johnson (Sr., 5-10, 190), DB Alex Young (Sr., 5-8, 160), QB Jacob Owens (Jr., 6-4, 205).
Key losses: OG Lance Childers, DE Nick Ginn, OT/DT Brent Russell
School enrollment: 1,400
Total varsity players: 104
BLUEPRINTS
Offensive outlook: The Red Raiders have five starters returning on offense, but only one is on the line - senior center Bo Dalton. Madison County's offense revolves around the multi-talented receiver/running back Aldreakis Allen, but it will be up to junior quarterback Jacob Owens to get the ball into his hands.
Defensive outlook: Madison County has the same problem on its defensive line as it does on its offensive line - inexperience. Senior James Anglin is the anchor of this group of players. Cody Esco (LB), Alex Young (CB) and Allen (S) bring some play-making ability to the secondary.
Special teams outlook: The positions of kicker and punter are in flux for the Red Raiders after losing all-region kicker and punter Jack Orr to graduation. No other player had a field goal attempt or punt last season.
Schedule: Owens thinks playing a 10-game region schedule will add a lot of excitement to the season. The Red Raiders will face defending sub-region champs Salem and Habersham Central back-to-back on Sept. 26 and Oct. 3.
CAUTION TAPE
Key game: at Salem, Sept. 26 - This will be the Redskins' homecoming game this year. Salem is one of the favorites to take the region title. A win here could boost the Red Raiders' chances at a playoff spot.
CORNERSTONE
The team leader: WR/RB/S Aldreakis Allen - Not only is Allen the Red Raiders' main offensive weapon, the senior is also their playmaker in the defensive backfield. This season, he will add senior leader to his resume.
"He's shown a lot more maturity this summer," coach Randell Owens said. "His work ethic has improved."
REMODELING
The key newcomer: WR/FS Bracken Turner - Turner made a small impact last season with 17 catches and a touchdown, but he will likely be the Red Raiders' go-to receiver when Allen is lining up as a running back.
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