First-year Clarendon Hall football coach Michael Tindall will face his former school Friday.
Tindall was the athletic director at Andrew Jackson, where he also was a teacher and coached JV football, JV girls’ basketball and assisted the varsity baseball team.
For Tindall, it’s not about himself and his former school.
“It has nothing to do with me,” he said. “It’s about the guys who put on the uniform every week and play.”
Tindall’s first week as head coach was a success. The production from Tilton McCrea, Dustin Way, Daniel Pappas and Gavin Allan carried the Saints to a 28-14 victory over Patrick Henry Academy.
McCrea carried the ball 14 times for 110 yards. He also had a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Way rushed 13 times for 66 yards, and caught one touchdown pass. Pappas netted 48 yards on nine carries, and Allan managed 28 yards on two carries, and caught one touchdown pass.
Raj Patel helped his team out with a scoop and score from the linebacker spot. Mac Davis led the Saints with 14 tackles, while Matthew Corbett had 12 tackles and one fumble recovery.
Andrew Jackson is 1-1 on the year. They had a decisive 32-8 win against Coastal Home School in their opening game, and lost their second game in a 62-52 shootout against Greenwood Christian.
Andrew Jackson’s offense is centered around the zone read between quarterback Justin Stanstill and running back Christian Lee. They combined for more than 50 carries last week against Greenwood Christian. Lee had more than 300 yards in the game.
Tindall and company are seeking good play from their defensive line to shut the Confederates down.
“Our defensive ends have to stay home, and not attack the dive play,” Tindall said. “If they can stay at home and contain the quarterback, and our defensive line can shed blocks we will be in good shape.”
One obstacle that the Saints will be up against this coming week is the Keaton Charberd-led offensive line.
“Keaton is a big, aggressive, strong kid that blocks well,” Tindall said. “They have a big offensive line that is probably one of the best in eight-man football, and they fire off the ball well.”
Charberd also lines up at defensive end for Andrew Jackson.
“He is big guy, that is hard to block,” Tindall said. “Our offensive line will have to block better, and everyone will have to take care of their responsibilities.”
After going a combined 3-13 last week in the passing game Tindall is hoping to see improvement in the air this week.
“Our wide receivers and quarterback will have to get on the same page moving forward,” he said. “It’s nothing big, we just have to work on our routes and timing.”
McCrea led the Saints on special teams last week with 92 yards; while Tindall was pleased with his special teams he sees room for improvement.
“We just need to work a little on blocking inside out,” he said. “Other than that we did a good job at staying in our lanes and executing the play.”
The Saints took care of Andrew Jackson last year 52-28 in their last regular season game. Tindall is looking for his guys to play well again this year.
“We are expecting our defense to stop the run,” Tindall said. “We have to hunker down and do what we are supposed to do and we will be fine.”
