Extra Point Previews: Houston Academy Raiders

DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — Houston Academy head coach Eddie Brundidge has been successful in getting his team to the playoffs in his first three seasons, and even though they have a little rebuilding to do this season, Brundidge is hoping in year four the Raiders can finally get over the hump.

The Raiders take a hit on the defensive side of the ball, losing linebacker Cam Dyer who operated as the “quarterback” of that unit, but they have experienced players to fill the gap. Senior Hughes Williams and sophomore Martin Andre will be the first guys up. Seniors Andrew Gil and Ervain Reynolds will also play a big role.

“I’m excited about it,” Brundidge said. “We’ve got a good cast of linebackers that I think can fill the void of Cam Dyer.”

On offense, the Raiders are tasked with replacing the production of second-team All-State wide receiver Rod Jackson who did it all for this team last year. Luckily for the Raiders, they have a quartet of experienced seniors at that position, with Brayden Eubanks, Riggs Hickey, Thomas Buntin, and Gabe Glover.

“I got a lot of faith and confidence in them,” Brundidge commented. “A lot of people haven’t seen a whole lot out of them. Riggs started and played a bunch last year and so did Brayden, but again, that’s kind of that hidden weapon we’re gonna hang on to. But I got a lot of confidence in those guys that we’ve got coming up in those roles and feel like they can get it done for us.”

It helps the wide receivers when you return another All-State player in senior quarterback Kadyn Mitchell, who has led this team since his eighth-grade season.

“Kadyn knows the system, he knows where everybody is supposed to be,” Brundidge said. “He can get them lined up, even the young kid that might miss an assignment or something. He’s a special kid. A lot of coaches don’t get the opportunity to coach that type of kid. And I’m not just saying it because he’s at Houston Academy, but in my 35 years of coaching, he’s truly one of the elite athlete quarterbacks that I’ve ever seen on the high school level.”

The Raiders open their season August 23rd at G.W. Long.

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