​They may be a young team, but Bay High hopes to rise with help from talented QB​

Quarterback-Safety Jaylan Wilson is the key to Bay High’s hopes of making a playoff run in Region 8-4A.

The Tigers went 2-8, including a winless 0-5 mark in Benji Foreman’s first year as coach last season.

The Tigers’ success will largely depend how the team plays around Wilson, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound senior. Wilson, who will also start at safety, ran for 857 yards and 11 touchdowns while also throwing for 397 yards and two more scores a year ago.

“One of our strengths is Jaylan,” Foreman said. “He’s a competitor who works hard. He’ll finish the game the way he starts it: playing hard. He will be asked to do more than he did last year for us.”

Bay High must replace running back Vernon Barnes, who gained 957 yards and 12 TDs, both team-leading from 2016.

Senior Justin McKee and junior Dominic Anderson will start at running back in the Tigers’ multiple two-back offense.

Sophomore Sam Sheppard and junior Kalen Leavens are the wide receivers. Sophomore Jordan Calomese will start at tight end.

Bryce Barbay, Myles Veals, Nathan Fleming, Bryce Fegurgur, Chase Necaise are the starting offensive linemen. Barbay and Veals are seniors. Fleming and Necaise are sophomores. Fegurgur is a junior

“We lost a huge part of our offense when Vernon graduated,” Foreman said. “We can’t turn the ball over and must cut out the negative plays and mental mistakes.”

Bay High changed its defensive scheme for a multiple look.

Starting on the defensive line are Jordan Calomese, Kameron Taylor, Chase Necaise, Carson Island. Taylor is a junior. Island is a sophomore.

The linebackers will be Chase Lewis, Kyre Hodges-Campello, John Russo and Skyler Hysell. Lewis is a junior. Russo, Hodges-Campello and Hysell are seniors.

Senior KeSaun Laneaux will start at cornerback opposite Sam Sheppard. Jaylan Wilson, freshman Sema’J Robertson and senior Tyri Saucier are all competing for the starting safety spot.

“We transitioned to a new scheme in the spring and I felt the players executed very well,” Foreman said. “On defense, we must play fast and not make mistakes. I am really excited about this unit. Coach Greg Necaise has done a great job with them.”

Foreman is optimistic Bay High can compete for a Class 4A state playoff berth this season. Region 8-4A consists of St. Stanislaus, East Central, Vancleave, Moss Point, Pass Christian.

“Realistically, I see us fighting for that last playoff spot,” Foreman said. “East Central is the favorite. This is a very tough region.”

This story was originally published August 15, 2017 at 3:00 AM with the headline "​They may be a young team, but Bay High hopes to rise with help from talented QB​."