Team Profile
Photos by Billy Weeks and Heritage Snapshots
Q & A With Coach E.K. Slaughter
Q: How would you characterize this year’s team?
A: Experienced, mature, hardworking, intelligent, and physical.
Q: What will be the keys to your success?
A: Staying healthy, leaders boldly stepping into their roles, and consistent growth throughout the year.
Q: Who will be your key leaders on the team?
A: Bryce Travillian (TE/LB), Kaden Swope (QB), Paxton McCrary (RB), and Payton Newman (TE/DL).
Q: What are your biggest reasons for optimism?
A: The caliber of person we have on our team. We have amazing young men who excel on and off the field. When you have strong moral character as a foundation, the football part comes much easier.
Q: What will keep you up at night?
A: Time. We have a limited amount of time to impact the players God has given us to coach. It is a privilege to coach these amazing young men in our program. I want to maximize the opportunity we have to develop these guys as men and players. Every day is a gift.
Q: What can you build on from last year?
A: We won some gutsy games last year. We are often in close games, and because this group has experience winning in the fourth quarter, that confidence will carry over.
Q: How would you characterize your team’s speed?
A: We play faster than we are because of the mental edge our players have formed through understanding their roles and assignments, as well as the extreme effort they give.
