Greenwood running back Triston Wilson runs for a touchdown against Barren County on Sept. 15 during the Gators’ 56-7 win at Greenwood High School.

As William Howard begins his first season as Greenwood’s football head coach, he is approaching it with a simple philosophy – strength in numbers.

Howard is determined to get as many players involved as possible this season, hopeful that the depth and experience can lead to success in a district that features 5A powers Bowling Green and South Warren.

“We still have a long way to go, there is no doubt about that,” Howard said. “We have a philosophy where we are going to try to get as many people on the field as we possibly can. So we’ve got kids that may be a No. 2 somewhere else be a person that gets every rep and hopefully develops into a No. 1. We have a learning curve, putting in a new offensive philosophy and defensive philosophy.

“We will have some growing pains early, but hopefully our kids will respond.”

Senior quarterback Zach Langevin said the transition from former Gators coach Chris Seabolt to Howard has been pretty smooth and the players are eager to improve on last year’s 4-8 finish.

“I think we are really excited to start the season and begin playing,” Langevin said. “The transitional period is usually hard, but it has not been nearly as hard since coach Howard was already in our program for the past three years. We love playing for him and we love having him around.”

Langevin will be asked to replace Jackson Adams, who ran for more than 1,700 yards and accounted for 26 touchdowns last year.

Howard said his senior quarterback brings the same skill set as the player he is replacing.

“He is a lot like Jackson Adams as far as his athletic ability, his intelligence of the game,” Howard said. “He is somebody that is going to pull the ball and run it for us. He’s probably our second-best running back on the team.”

Langevin said he’s ready to step in and lead the offense.

“I played with Jackson for three years and I have known him for a long time,” Langevin said. “We are really good friends. It is going to be tough, but I am going to do my best and try to lead the team the best I can.”

Langevin will have an experienced running back in the backfield in senior Triston Wilson, who ran for more than 1,100 yards last season, but Howard said he hopes to have plenty of options in the backfield.

Alex Rhodes, Javier Boyd, Xavier Boyd and Reed Slone will all see time in the backfield, according to Howard, with the plan being to get five or six guys 10 to 12 carries a game to keep everyone fresh.

On the defensive side, Howard will counter a young secondary by moving Rhodes from linebacker to safety with Luke Rhoten remaining in the linebacking corps.

“We just want to keep getting better,” Howard said. “I think everyone has growing pains. Nobody is as good in week one as they are week 10. We have to continue to do what we do and try to get better”

And Howard is hopeful that improvement will lead to success on the field and have the Gators ready for a tough district slate.

“I definitely think our district is probably favored to win our region,” Howard said. “When you get out of the regional games you never know what is going to happen. It is a challenge, but it is what it is. Next year it is going to be tougher because we lose Grayson County and gain Christian County. You just have to lace ‘em up every week and play.”

2018 Greenwood Football Schedule

Aug. 17 – Warren Central

• Aug. 25 – vs. Warren East

Aug. 31 – at Allen County-Scottsville

Sept. 7 – Franklin-Simpson

Sept. 14 – at Barren County

Sept. 21 – at Bowling Green

Sept. 28 – South Warren

Oct. 5 – OPEN

Oct. 12 – at Grayson County

Oct. 19 – at Highlands

Oct. 26 – Hopkinsville{&end}