Gwinnett Daily Post

Meadowcreek Mustangs 2011 Football Preview

Norcross — Mascot: Mustangs. Coach: Deario Grimmage (0-10 at Meadowcreek, 0-10 overall) Region: 7-AAAAA Last playoff appearance: 1988

Offense

Meadowcreek struggled to score points last year and second-year head coach Deario Grimmage is hoping his young and gifted quarterback can change that.

Ridwan Issahaku is a talented basketball player and track runner and Grimmage is hoping his skills will translate on the football field.

"He has a lot of upside in football," Grimmage said.

Issahaku will have a solid group of skill position players around him this year. Debarius Lucas is a transfer from Norcross and Michael Adams was a hurdler on the track team and both will get carries at running back.

Receiver Chandler McCoy is one of two returners on offense, while Kaleb Ross saw some playing time at tight end last year.

The only other returner on offense is lineman Eduardo Moran. The rest of the line is Grimmage's biggest concern due to lack of experience.

Meadowcreek had the lowest-scoring offense in the county last year and was shut out in seven games.

"I think the kids have a better feeling (of the system) and the main thing is they want guidance," Grimmage said. "In Gwinnett County, we're going against great quality coaches."

Defense

Meadowcreek has five returners on defense, including its leading tackler, linebacker Daryl DeWindt. The senior, who holds a 3.4 GPA, made 98 stops last season.

The linebacking unit in Meadowcreek's 3-4 defense is the biggest strength. Alex Steele, who is a standout wrestler and holds a 3.99 GPA, is back at the interior spot. Julian Harris (pictured), who posted 55 tackles and two sacks, returns at strong side linebacker. Abel Ordenez saw limited playing time at linebacker last year, but is expected to start this season at weak side LB. Ordenez will also handle the kicking and punting duties.

Cornerback RayQuan Sam highlights the secondary as a three-year starter. Sam made 46 tackles and one interception last year. He's joined by returning starter Keion Rich at safety.

"I really like the back eight on our defense," Grimmage said. "These guys really love the game and have great character."

Sticking to his mantra

Since Grimmage took over the program last year, he's said he wanted to develop college-ready athletes. Meadowcreek had eight players move on to college football this fall, including Richard Williams to Lenoir-Rhyne. Grimmage has 16 seniors this season and hopes to increase the number of college athletes.

"Just like I said, I feel this is a place that needs to be developed and not utilized," Grimmage said. "I'm here to help build this community."

Etc.

Meadowcreek will wear a different color helmet this fall. The Mustangs will don a white helmet with a navy blue face mask ... Meadowcreek had 75 players out for fall camp this year and Grimmage feels the program is beginning to get on track. "That's the key, preparation and guidance," Grimmage said. "Even though we're bridging a cultural gap and introducing the game, the kids are here. It's just like anything else, the more you get in preparation, the more confident you are." ... Norcross grad Fidel Taylor has taken over as the Mustangs' strength and conditioning coach. Taylor played football and ran track at Norcross in the early 2000s and has a background in personal training ... Meadowcreek added some decorations to its weight room this summer, posting inspirational quotes and team records in the weight room. ... Meadowcreek went winless last season and is riding a 28-game losing streak. "It was pretty tough," Grimmage said of the losses.

-Brandon Brigman

Meadowcreek Roster

1 Ridwan Issahaku QB 10

4 Julian Harris LB 12

6 Patrick Mills QB 9

7 Keyon Rich DB 11

9 Marcus Rouse DB 12

10 Chandler McCoy WR 12

11 John Ngyen WR 11

12 Kaleb Ross TE 12

13 Kashaun Gorham DB 12

16 Dante Bennett RB 12

17 Damion Massey DL 10

18 Landis Evans WR 11

20 Debarius Lucas RB 11

21 Shayne Steele WR 10

23 LaDarrius Cummings RB 11

25 Carlton Conell DB 12

27 Gamond Land DB 11

28 RayQuan Sam DB 12

29 Abel Ordenez LB 12

30 Kalen Taylor LB 10

32 Michael Adams RB 11

35 Daryl Dewindt LB 12

36 Alex Steele LB 12

37 Malik Saunders RB 10

38 Rocky Lewis DB 11

41 Detrix Mays DB 11

42 Emmitt Doe RB 12

45 Adam Fields OL 12

47 Nicholas Celestin LB 10

48 Ryan Moore RB 10

50 Jose Estrada DL 11

51 Harden Ogunlana LB 10

52 Jarvis Willams OL 11

54 Keandra Bell DL 11

55 RaShaun Willams DL 12

56 Brandon GoCool OL 11

57 Napoleon Russel LB 10

61 Eric Repine OL 12

68 Sterling Hendon OL 12

71 Eduardo Moran OL 11

72 Alejano Lucio OL 11

73 Brandon Harrod DL 11

76 Brandon Jones OL 10

77 Keneth Harden OL 11

80 Christopher Herndon TE/DE 10

81 Shayne Steele WR 10

85 Kortez Towels WR 10

86 Anthony Bryant WR 11

87 Cody Swanger DL 11

89 Larry Bateman TE 11

90 Jose Estranda DL 11

97 Keirdick Freeman DL 12