Demopolis Middle School is less than two weeks away from playing the first game of the Daniel Flowers era. The exuberant new DMS coach took to the practice field with his team Monday as it held its first full-team session.
“(Monday) was our first day getting in team (drills) and running plays,” Flowers said. “They understand (the system).”
Flowers, who worked as a wide receiver coach at Class 6A Northview High in Dothan last season, is working to implement the spread offense at DMS. He has patterned the attack after the one utilized by Demopolis High and head coach Tom Causey.
“I’ve been in the spread for a long time now,” Flowers said, referring to his collegiate days at Alabama State where he walked on before becoming a graduate assistant with the Hornets.
Flowers feels his knowledge of the spread will help the middle school Tigers transition into the system. His decision to install the offense also serves to make the spread the weapon of choice for every football team in the city, providing continuity for players from the the time they begin play in the Demopolis Youth Football League at the age of seven until they graduate from DHS.
“Those jokers are going to be mentally strong,” Flowers said of his players. “By the time they move to the high school, they are going to know (the system) already.”
The featured pieces in that offensive attack give Flowers considerable hope for his team’s chances this season. Among the skill players are fullback Keishaun Scott, a player Flowers believes will etch his own name into Demopolis lore before graduating some five years down the line. He will be flanked by A-backs Demetrius Smith and Rashad Lynch.
“I feel we’ve got pieces together on offense and defense,” Flowers said. “We could be pretty successful.”
Quarterbacking the DMS group will be Tripp Perry, a signal-caller Flowers likens to another Demopolis passer.
“He reminds me a lot of (current Demopolis High starting quarterback) Ben Pettus,” Flowers said.
That group will lead the team into the fray against Sipsey Valley Aug. 30 for the first game of the DMS season. Flowers calls that game “Goal 1” for the Tigers, refusing to comment on Goal 2 with his players until they have marched through Sipsey Valley.
But it is his ability to achieve his broader goals that will determine Flowers’ success as coach of Demopolis Middle School. That list revolves around overall improvement.
“My primary goals are getting them ready for high school, get them mentally strong and let them know they are students first and then athletes,” Flowers said. I want to win, but I want them to get better.”
Demopolis Middle plays at Sipsey Valley at 6 p.m. Aug. 30. The team’s schedule also includes road dates against Linden and Selma’s Chat Academy. The Tigers will play home games against Linden, Sweet Water, Eutaw’s Carver Middle, Thomasville and Chat Academy.