Austin-East football is elevated by the community

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — Austin-East has not won more than four games in a season since 2019, but with the help of the community, new head coach Stanton Stevens is ready to change that.

“Coming home sometimes they say it’s hard,” said Stevens. “This has been really easy. I think the community has shown up. We’ve had people outside of the community show up. There are a lot of people that are investing in our kids right now and our program. It’s so greatly appreciated. It’s made my transition really really smooth.”

The players have also bought into what their new head coach has been preaching.

“It’s been really easy,” explained Austin-East lineman Quinton Calhoun. “He just came in and said ‘This is what I expect from y’all. This is what we’re gonna do.’ We went out there and we did it.”

Calhoun enters his senior season, and with that comes the expectation of leadership. The lineman has shouldered that responsibility.

“I feel like it all resides on us offensive linemen,” said Calhoun. “You can’t really move the ball without us. We have a great wide receiving core. The running backs are great. The quarterbacks are great, but you can’t do anything without having a blocking line to get you downfield.”

Austin-East will look to pick up an early win on Friday when the Roadrunners host William Blount.

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