By Elio Velez
There were certain games last season that Flushing played well from start to finish, but there were certain times, according to senior running back DeAndre Ross-Lomax, that a talented Red Devils football team let wins slip from their grasp.
“I feel like we didn’t give our full effort throughout the whole game and I feel like we didn’t finish off the season right,” Lomax-Ross said.
Flushing is making a concerted effort to not let that negative attitude overshadow them this season. The team has embraced a disciplined approach that should help translate into wins starting Sept. 7 at home against Grand Street Campus.
“I feel like we’re going to step up as teammates,” Lomax-Ross said.
The Red Devils went 4-5 overall last year and were dispatched by Boys & Girls in the first round of the PSAL Championship division playoffs. Flushing Coach Jim DeSantis believes a lot of his players are hungry to make an impact on the field.
“Thus far they are a very focused group,” he said. “They are not a selfish group.”
Junior quarterback Terence Chavis added 20 pounds of muscle to his 5-foot-8 frame and became more of a leader in the locker room. He also changed his approach to handling the offense.
“I learned that I should take my time more than going so fast,” Chavis said. “We changed our offense around and added more players. I tended to keep old habits that I had to let go.”
The offense will be an equal mix of run and pass. Chavis will seek out 6-foot-2 wide receiver Kevaun Dunn and Adam Singleton is emerging as a starter on the other side. DeSantis is looking for returning starters Tristan Hamilton, Joshua Honeyghan and Devin Harris to anchor the offensive line.
The key to the offense is how well Lomax-Ross can stretch defenses in the backfield. If that happens, the Red Devils have a strong chance to score plenty of points.
“He’s a little guy, but he’s a tough guy and pound for pound he’s the strongest guy on the team,” DeSantis said.
The Flushing defense is still looking for replacements at the linemen position where two-way starters Daryl Webster and Nick Prosper prospered last season. Deshawn Scott, a three-year starter at outside linebacker, provides leadership and junior varsity additions like Abel Joseph could emerge as an option at defensive tackle.
The players think they have the personnel to improve on last season’s effort.
“The talent is still there,” Chavis said. “Usually when we get to the playoffs, we always lose in the first round. I see us going further.”
