Football preview: Senior Yates looks to be leader for Eagles

VANCEBORO | Isaiah Yates had a tumultuous season last year, as did his defensive teammates.

Yates was hampered with a shoulder injury early in the season and played in just five games.

He totaled 14 tackles in that limited time.

“I’m pretty motivated and I think our whole team is after last year,” Yates said.

“Getting hurt, messing up my shoulder and not playing a whole lot, I worked hard all summer to get ready for my senior year.”

Yates, along with Devonta Smith, look to be leaders of the Eagles’ linebacker corps this season.

They will be playing behind a strong defensive line.

Yates (5-foot-11, 175 pounds) said he and his teammates have joined together in an effort to be stronger, faster and ultimately better this season.

“We’ve been getting together in the offseason and just doing something every day,” he said.

“Whether it is weights, speed ladder or running, we do something as a team.”

The Eagles have spread out talent this year on both sides of the ball.

“We feel like with Isaiah (Yates) and DeVonte (Smith) along with four younger guys who will probably see the field, linebackers are definitely a focal point for us,” West Craven coach Matt Riggsbee said.

West Craven will be trying to improve on a defense that allowed 30 points per game last season.

“It’s just going to take everybody working together,” Yates said.

“Our younger guys look up to us so we as older guys have to get it done.”

Riggsbee said he feels strong and confident about his team going into this season.

“I feel like we have a chance to be very good,” he said.

“Some of the players we have at certain positions as a unit are the best we have had in a long time.”

Yates and the Eagles will kick off the season Aug. 21 at Ayden-Grifton.

Jordan Honeycutt can be reached at 252-635-5670 and you can follow him on Twitter @JHoneycuttNBSJ