By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

The Fayette County Tigers football team is looking forward to the 2000 season.

The team will return some key players, has seen some positive strides from new players and players are genuinely excited to face some old rivals thanks to the new realignment.

Only six starters are returning from last year's squad, but several of those returning are integral to the team's success. Foremost is quarterback Nathaniel Enloe. Enloe is a battle-tested senior who led the region in passing last year. According to Coach Clint Burton, he is progressing well in practices.

One of Enloe's main targets this year is sure to be wide receiver T.J. Brandenburg. Brandenburg is a junior, capable of making the big plays. He caught 18 passes last year and does good things with the ball. Another starter returning to the offense is offensive lineman Keith Knowles, who started every game at offensive tackle last year.

Other players are looking sharp on the line in practice, including Chris Falzone, a 6'3”, 260-lb. player who was injured all of last year, and James Bowie, a junior guard, who stands at 6'0” and weighs about 280 lbs. Senior tackle John Marshall is possibly the most pleasant surprise of practice so far. He is 6'1” and 230 lbs. and is showing impressive things each day.

The defense is a little less experienced but more athletic than last year's squad. Madkin Kelly, 5'11”, 230 lbs, was injured at the end of last season, but is a tough player who plays on both sides of the ball. He has lots of athletic ability and brings a certain intensity to the game.

Brian Moore played junior varsity last year but is one of the quickest and strongest players on the team. He is about six feet tall and 225 lbs. As Coach Burton says, “He can really move.” The defense also will be bolstered by Gerard Gibson, Drew Furey, Dustin Amerson and Knowles.

Another strong aspect of Fayette County this season will be the kicking game, led by junior John Derraney. Derraney is an excellent kicker and punter who placed 60 percent of his kicks last year in the end zone.

Burton believes he has good size this season and that his backs, all juniors, will be able to compete. The backs are Zach Baker at tailback and Corey Burton at fullback. Matt Owens will be the tight end.

As for the new schedule, Burton is eager to get started. “It's like a homecoming for us,” explains Burton. “We used to play Clayton County teams a lot and we are looking forward to it.” Some of their new opponents this season include Lovejoy, which returns close to 15 starters, and North Clayton, which has the number two quarterback in the nation.

On playing their county rivals, the McIntosh Chiefs, in the first week of the season, Burton says it makes getting ready for the season easier.

Fayette County is certainly optimistic at the beginning of the 2000 season, with many reasons to be. It should be an exciting season.

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