Basic football certain it will be one of city’s heavyweights

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015 | 2 a.m.

The Basic High football team has plenty of confidence heading into the new season. That’s what happens when you go on a deep playoff run after winning just one league game.

Basic qualified for the playoffs last season as the No. 4 seed from the Southeast League and were expected to lose in their first game.

But the Wolves kept winning, knocking off higher-seeded teams in consecutive weeks to advance to the Sunrise Region championship game. Basic’s run ended against five-time Sunrise champ Liberty in a 12-point loss, but the foundation was firmly established for 2015.

Some of the key performers from the playoff run, including playmaking quarterback Tank McAllister, return. And expectations are high — Basic is ranked No. 7 in the Sun’s preseason top 10, the second highest ranked team in the Sunrise behind Liberty.

“It gave us a big boost,” Basic coach Jeff Cahill said of the playoff run. “We had our chances against Liberty in the first half. We have a lot of guys coming back who played in that game. We’d love a rematch.”

McAllister passed for 15 touchdowns and rushed for 12 in 2014, thriving in Basic’s spread-option attack. While the Wolves graduated top receiver Josh Villaros, they return skilled position players such as Brian Evans at wide receiver, and Jake Waldron and Sean White in the backfield. Junior newcomer DeShawn Eagles at wide receiver, who stands 6-foot-4, could make a splash.

With a year of experience under his belt, McAllister has more confidence in the offense. It’s an attack that usually produces an all-state performer — players such as Devonte Boyd or Antraye Johnson. Eagles or Evans could be next.

“Just execute the game plan,” McAllister said when asked about why the offense is successful each year.

Basic’s defense was a work in progress last season, surrendering more than 40 points four times. But it also featured younger players who got better as the season progressed.

The unit is led by defensive end Kendahl Blakely, who is one of the league’s most intimidating figures at 6-foot-1, 250-pounds. Waldron and John Funaki at linebacker and Evans in the secondary give the Wolves a solid nucleus.

“Don’t get passed on; don’t get run on,” Blakely said.

Cahill, a Basic graduate now in his eighth season as head coach, can’t help being optimistic. His team, after all, won more playoff games than league games last season in grabbing plenty of momentum.

“We had a lot of juniors who were starting last year,” Cahill said. “This year, we are very experienced. ... This year, we think we are one of the heavyweights.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21