By TIM GUERCIO

THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT

FERRIDAY — Delta Charter Storm head football coach Blake Wheeler said he has high expectations for his team this year.

This is Wheeler’s third year as head coach, and finally he was able to get assistant coach Cleothis Cummings from Tensas High School to join him on the coaching staff, Wheeler said.

“I have been trying to get coach Cummings over here for a while,” Wheeler said. “We will have 10 or 11 seniors this year, which will be a big positive for us.”

Two key positions on offense will need to be filled, Wheeler said.

“Trey Poole was our quarterback and leader,” Wheeler said, “and Freddie Mango played running back and safety. He was an incredible athlete. Both are going to be missed.”

Delta Charter will start senior Kavarius Whitehead at quarterback, Wheeler said and Tre Griffin will be at running back.

“Kevarius played wide receiver last year,” Wheeler said. “The year before, he played quarterback so he has experience and is an explosive runner. Griffin is our running back, he is our 100 meter guy in track, so he has some speed.”

The Storm will have junior, third-year starter Luke Robertson to anchor the offensive line at center, Wheeler said.

“Luke started as a freshman,” Wheeler said. “We run a shotgun snap, and he is responsible for identifying the defense.”

Wheeler said he looks forward to the fall but right now he will keep his team focused on training.

“We will work hard with weight lifting and conditioning drills on the field, four days a week, then we will play some 7 on 7 in helmets and shorts,” Wheeler said. “In August we will put on the pads.”