Ellender Looking to Build Something Special With Young Talent

Last season the Ellender Patriots finished 2-8 & 1-5 in district play. The last time the Patriots had a winning record was in 2016 where they finished 6-5 & made it to the playoffs. They bring in a host of talented freshman along with some good sophomores & juniors returning.
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Head coach David McCormick & offensive coordinator Jessie Turner expressed how pleased they were with a lot of their young kids & feels that they have a chance to do something special. “I’m impressed with our young kids & a good bit of them will have a chance to contribute early,” McCormick said. “If we can continue perfecting the little things from now until week one, by the time district rolls around our young kids will be a lot more comfortable with what we are teaching them right now.”​

It’s evident that the Patriots have a good group of young talent to build with, but what remains to be seen is if they can put it all together going forward these next few years. 

Junior TyShaun Hester is a returning starter that finished with 6 touchdowns last season from scrimmage & he’ll be the lead back this season. 

Senior linebacker Jarred Whitrack will be the leader on defense after he led the team last season with 83 tackles.

Junior Bradley Martin showed throughout spring & fall practices that he will probably be the team’s best offensive lineman this upcoming season.

Senior Nykee Johnson looks like he will be a big contributor at wide receiver after finally coming over from basketball. He made big strides in the spring, 7 on 7 in the summer, & throughout fall practices thus far. ​

Freshman Tamaj Vergin is as talented as they come. Vergin had a breakout performance in the spring game versus East St. John where he made a leaping catch over two defenders for a touchdown. He put himself on a lot of school’s radar after a busy summer camping at UL, Nicholls St, Houston, Alabama, & Mississippi St. ​

Freshman Daviante Scott will be somebody that folks will get familiar with soon enough. Scott will split carries at running back with Hester, but I see him making an impact early on in his career. In their inter squad scrimmage he had three impressive long touchdown runs that had the entire coaching staff excited to say the least.