West Georgia hopes to move closer to winning season

Posted 1:28PM on Wednesday 3rd August 2005 ( 19 years ago )

West Georgia frequently found itself in position to win games in the fourth quarter last season. A 2-7 record shows the Braves didn't take advantage of their opportunities. For a team that has won only eight games the last three seasons, being close is at least reason for encouragement. West Georgia was outscored by just 41 points, which included a 36-point deficit in the final period. The previous year, opponents rolled up a 420-191 scoring advantage. Looking for more improvement, West Georgia coach Mike Ledford hired defensive coordinator Charles Anthony from North Alabama. Anthony installed a 3-4 scheme in spring drills. ``We've been traditionally a 4-3 football team, and I was a little bit skeptical at first,'' Ledford said. ``After spring practice, I was sold that he knows what he is doing with that three-man front. He knows how to apply it and adjust, and our kids are completely sold on it right now.'' Though there are more returning starters on offense, Ledford said the new-look defense ``pretty much dominated spring practice, which is what you hope will take place.'' Content with the defense, Ledford will focus on the quarterback competition between freshman Brett Yenser, who played at Harrison High in Marietta, and Keats Baldwin, a junior college transfer from Mississippi. Ledford said Yenser's familiarity with the offense gave him a slight edge in spring drills. ``I was amazed at his poise and how far he had come in a short period of time, so as we start fall camp he will be No. 1 and Keats is kind of 1-A,'' Ledford said. Another pleasant surprise during the spring was tailback Abe Felix, a 5-foot-8, 195-pound transfer from Northeast Community College in Mississippi. Felix has been compared to last year's starter, Michael Alexis, who led the Gulf South Conference with an average of 136.9 yards rushing per game. All five starters return on the offensive line, including four seniors. Guard Brandon McCloud (6-3, 345) and center Maurice Dixon (6-1, 333) could provide some huge holes. ``The problem we're going to have there is depth, but we do have a pretty good offensive line returning,'' Ledford said. ``That could give our inexperienced quarterbacks the time to do some things they possibly might not be able to do with a less experienced line.'' The key is keeping the starters healthy. Three of the linemen missed spring practice because of injuries, though all have returned. The Braves open against Presbyterian on Aug. 27. The season ends Nov. 5 at Valdosta State, the defending Division II national champion. Ledford had no trouble coming up with a favorite in the Gulf South. ``There's Valdosta,'' he said, ``and then there's Valdosta, and you can't forget about Valdosta.'' (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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