The times they are a-changing at Poly Prep.
The Blue Devils football team is facing a season of firsts this fall as Kevin Fountaine takes over as head coach and a handful of players settle into brand-new starting positions.
“We have a lot of seniors, but the rest of our program is pretty young,” said Fountaine, who has been with the program since 2002. “We only have one junior. We have 15 freshman in camp, and the future of the program looks good.”
Poly is implementing new schemes on both sides of the ball with Fountaine in control, and it hasn’t taken long for the players to pick up on the new looks.
“Our focus has been great,” Fountaine said. “It’s amazing to watch us on offense how many plays we’re getting off. The kids, in just a few days, have really mastered this.”
That mastery will be key down the stretch as the Blue Devils play an independent schedule once again this year. Poly isn’t playing for standings or a post-season championship, this team is playing for a record and, most importantly, pride.
“We’re going to play each game like it’s a championship,” senior receiver Tegah Egbiri said. “Nine games this season, nine championships. That’s how we look at it.”
The key for the Devils starts on offense, and the pressure is on senior quarterback Rob Deleon-Kollmer to get the ball rolling.
“I think that for me, I really just need to be a leader and take control,” said Deleon-Kollmer, who started three games last season. “I think no matter what, I’m very confident in the season. I’m confident in the other starters, the staff, and the players next to me. I’m ready to play.”
Poly’s mindset has to change every week as the squad battles a brand-new team and the members know — even now — that success will only come if the team finds a rhythm in practice.
“We need great looks from the scout teams,” said right tackle Isaiah Wilson, who’s drawn attention from top-tier, Division-I programs, including Alabama, Michigan, and Florida State. “We need great looks like them so that we don’t go out there on Saturday and look bad. You just need to come in with a new approach.”
The Blue Devils started out last season strong, opening with back-to-back victories, but thin roster numbers hurt the squad down the stretch.
This year won’t be different — Fountaine expects most of his squad to play both ways — but there’s a new spark in these Devils’ collective step that may help notch a few more victories late in the season.
The talent is there, the determination and leadership are there — it’s simply a matter of putting it all together in a shiny, new football package.
“It’s hard at Poly, between the academics and everything, but we’ve produced some great football teams,” Fountaine said. “The kids just continue to step up and they work for it and take whatever you throw at them. That’s what’s great about doing this.”
