New coach helps Mascoutah recover from hard season

Graduations and military transfers decimated the Mascoutah Indians roster in 2015, leaving it to a team of mostly sophomores to absorb the lumps of an 0-9 campaign.

Coach Scott Battas resigned to assume full-time duties as the school’s athletic director and turned to veteran coach Josh Lee to mend bruised spirits and reinvigorate the program.

“They kind of had some loser’s limp. It’s hard for kids to take that,” said Lee of the attitudes he saw during summer camp. “I think at first, they came out and were working, but maybe they were hesitant to put too much into it because it hurt so much last year.

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“The good news is we have a lot of these guys back, but with a year of varsity experience under their belt. We can redirect them by getting them to stick together. The other thing is they’ve got to enjoy it.”

Senior wide receiver Glen Gibbons says team chemistry already has taken a turn for the better.

“We have a lot of chemistry on the team and we seem to be on the same page. It’s a very different feeling having been through (a winless season) together,” Gibbons said. “Coach Lee comes to practice every day with a lot of hype. His attitude is amazing.

“He gets on you, but he does it with a lot of love and makes sure you know he wants only the best from you.”

Offense

A new attitude comes with a new quarterback. Last year’s starter, A.J. Albers, transferred to Mater Dei, leaving junior Darius Cooley to try the position on for size. He’s never played it before.

“He came to camp here and approached me about working in the evenings on nights we had camp,” Lee said. “He’s literally trying to learn a new position. We’ve thrown a lot of stuff at him and he has done a phenomenal job with it. It has helped because he is extremely athletic and he’s smart as well.”

Gerick Garlington (three carries, 30 yards), battled injuries the last two seasons, but is healthy enough to carry the biggest load at running back. Jasaun King (17 carries, 49 yards) and Kai Cross (32 carries, 228 yards, three TDs) also will help out.

Glen Gibbons (eight catches, 152 yards) and Treshun Buckingham (two catches, five yards) will lead a pack of receivers that also may include Patrick Beck, Jacob Williams (six catched, 32 yards) and Jay Waldoup (one catch, eight yards).

Jaelyn Curry, a sophomore military transfer, has impressed during his few days with the team.

The offensive line will include left tackle Reid Roberts, left guard Deshawn Tyson, center Nick Thurston, and right tackle Dylon Ross. Right guard is still an open spot with numerous contenders, Zach Wheeler among them.

Defense

There remains a lot of competition on the defensive line, but Ross is a likely starter at one of the end positions. Malik Green, Zach Wheeler and Tyson will contend for time.

Roberts and Cross will be inside linebackers while Garlington, Beck and others continue to compete for starting jobs on the outside.

Treshun Buckingham, Glen Gibbons return at corner back and King and transfer Ronald Clay compete for time at safety.

This story was originally published August 15, 2016 at 3:00 PM with the headline "New coach helps Mascoutah recover from hard season."