From Brad Franklin [pictured right],

sportswriter for the Emporia Independent-Messenger:

For the Eagles this season, two words ring true:

Staying healthy. The question while ominous already

seems somewhat answered, as returning All-District and

All-Region linebacker Craig Mangrum, runner-up for the

defensive Player of the Year award last year in the

Southside, continues to battle nagging knee injuries

that have plagued him for the three years.

If Mangrum

can contribute, the Eagles could have a solid season

behind senior's Korey Rose at QB and Markese Long at

RB along with the bruiser Mangrum in the backfield on occasion. Long, now the featured tailback for

Greensville after years spent behind speedster's

Trayman Hill and Michael Lewis, also has battled

injuries in the past but has had a great spring and

summer training. A lot will be needed from the running

back not only from his starting spot but perhaps from

under center as he will be the team's #2 QB.

The

offensive line might be a bright spot, where Matthew

Temple will return at center and the Eagles will have

Kenny Wiggins and Clifton Jones holding down the right

side of the line and creating running lanes. The

latter pair finished 1st and

2nd at the Tidewater

Combine held earlier this Year. But equaling the

production of graduated and now Florida Marlin Jamar

Walton [pictured left] will be next to impossible. Walton's 1,000

yards, 13 TD's and almost as many extra-points on

60-some catches will take numerous players to equal,

especially with Marcel Powell gone as well.

On

defense, with Mangrum, the Eagles will still be young

after losing Chris Bullock and Deon Walker at LB. But

with Saul Moore at DT and Raymon Moore moving from DT

to rover and even a little free safety, as Coach

Bernard Griffin said: "Coach Jessee and I joke all the

time that with the athletes Greensville County has and

has had, it's like playing basketball on grass." Look

for the Eagles to rank among the best the Southside

has to offer but again to have trouble with mighty

Powhatan.

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