sport
Augusta Orioles Begin Year Two Under Elliott With Expanded Roster
Team looks to build on expanded numbers and a new culture following last year's 1-8 mark.
How we reported this
Augusta football enters its second year under head coach Dawson Elliott with a roster that has grown enough to field a junior varsity squad for the first time in recent memory.
The Orioles finished 1-8 in Elliott's debut season and have gone eight years without a winning record. The increase in participation gives the program a clearer path to develop players before they reach varsity games, a step the staff views as essential for long-term progress in the city.
Roster expansion drives daily work
Numbers rose from fewer than 30 athletes when Elliott arrived to 52 in his first year and 55 this season. That total allowed the Orioles to run a full junior varsity schedule, which coaches say prepares younger players for Friday nights by giving them meaningful reps on Mondays.
Senior players have taken on extra responsibility in the weight room on off days, modeling the habits the new staff wants throughout the group. The team lost several linemen to graduation and is emphasizing tempo and conditioning to offset the change in size on the line.
Foundation for future classes
Eight returning seniors are expected to set the tone on and off the field. The group includes a new starter at left guard and other upperclassmen who have stressed consistent effort after practice when plays need repetition.
The immediate focus remains on fundamentals and finding ways to win games, while the larger aim is to create sustained growth that benefits players coming up through the program. Augusta opens the season against Chanute on Friday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. Fans can follow updates through KSNW coverage of area high school football.