photo: Sara Marshall

The Raven’s football team recently completed their Spring Training schedule and Coach Preston Blakemore is pleased with the team’s progress.  “Our boys came in and have worked their tails off.  I’m impressed with our conditioning right now, we run well, and they are really hitting the weight room hard.”

The Ravens went 0 and 12 last season, and many football fans and alumni have called for Coach Blakemore to step aside.  When asked about this the Coach stated, “This will be my last year coaching the Ravens, but I look forward to continuing in the ETU Athletics program.” Though he did not explain what he meant, but some surmise he will become an Assistant Athletic Director.

Coach Blakemore began coaching the Ravens in 1999, and has posted three winning seasons, but the team really struggled last year.  “We suffered too many injuries to field a competitive team.”  Indeed, the entire starting offensive line was injured and out for the season after the second week.  This was followed by injuries to QB Matt Jenkins, HB Marcus Turner, and TE Jerald Finch.

Following the first winless season in twenty-years, Coach Blakemore fired Nathan Parks, the Strength and Conditioning Coach, and promoted Vesey LaBeaux to the position and made LaBeaux assistant Head Coach.

“I’m looking for a big turn around in our program this season,” Coach LaBeaux said.  “In fact I guarantee it.”