MAURICE — North Vermilion head coach Brett Blakey was straight forward calling 2018 a disappointment.
On a team with an all-state back like Malik Criner, and a number of returning starters the Patriots mustered just 5 wins.
This season Blakey leaves the defensive side of the ball, a unit returning nine starters, and takes over the offense.
Senior quarterback Darrius Gilliam took over at quarterback in the final three games of last season because of injury, and the Patriots saw an uptick in a new spread-oriented attack. That late success setting the starting blocks for what Blakey has in mind this fall.
"I think if he didn't have those three games it would take him a couple of games to get used to the speed of the action," Blakey said. "He's able to build confidence. He stepped in at Abbeville and rushed for over 100 yards, and did that the next two games. It allows us to have a playmaker touching the ball every single play. That's something as a defensive coordinator you have to game plan for every night."
This year North Vermilion moves up to class 4A joining district
2018 Record: 5-5
District: 4-4A
Head Coach: Brett Blakey
Returning Starters: 4 on offense, 9 on defense
Other Notes: District 4-4A gets a full makeover with Eunice, LaGrange and Washington Marion moving in. Rayne is the only returning member of the district.