Deep Creek (Video Still: Antowyne Shaw/recruit757)
Year three under Andre Twine means Deep Creek will surprise no one
by Andy Hilton, recruit757
In 2017, Coach Andre Twine took the reins of the Deep Creek Football program and shocked many when he ran the team’s record to 9-3, which included a playoff win.
Previously, 2006 had been their last winning season. They hadn’t achieved a .500 season since 2011 when they went 5-5. The Hornets hadn’t seen the playoffs since 2004.
In 2018, Deep Creek did it again. The Hornets were 7-3 in the regular season and suffered a first round loss to King’s Fork in the VHSL Class 4 playoffs.
“We’re getting better every day. The kids are working hard. The seniors are stepping up, being leaders. The young guys are out here and playing fast, which is what we ask for. It’s hot. It’s all we can ask for at this point,” said the coach of his squad in the first week of practice. “At the end of the day, you play the game in the elements. We make sure we read our keys and do everything we need to do. Physical and fast. That’s the way we gotta play at Deep Creek.”
There are plenty of returning players, and that’s a reason to be excited about Deep Creek football this fall. Jayden Bailey returns at quarterback, Ali Brooks returns at wide receiver, and middle linebacker Gabe Fuster returns to anchor the defense.
“We played a lot of young guys last year so we have a lot of experience (this year). That’s the essence of coaching bring a young guy from being a freshman to being a senior. The maturation process coming through that is the best thing in coaching,” Coach Twine said. “The coaching staff here has really come together. We’re doing things that make them get better and better every day.”
Twine gave a nod to his father, Phillip Twine, who has been on the coaching staff since his son arrived two years ago. Coach also mentioned Coach Howard, Coach Phillips, Coach Xavier Williams, and Coach Bill as leaders for the program. Twine moved up from coaching middle school football, to head coaching the JV before taking over the varsity program.
Coach Twine described a lot of the challenges ahead of him, but he also demonstrated a can-do attitude when it comes to leading the program and taking on the road ahead.
“I’m a vessel. Bringing all the kids together and all the coaches together, and making it better than what it is. We’re making these young men better and we’re going out to win football games.”
– Andy Hilton
