By David Shaw

sports@salisburypost.com

LANDIS — There’s a lot of work to do at South Rowan.

First-year coach Daniel Yow begins a down-to-the-studs rebuilding project with only 12 seniors and three returning starters. In the top-heavy South Piedmont Conference, the Raiders project as bottom-half finishers at best.

“Right now it’s all about commitment,” Yow said. “On the field and off. Once we get the kids to start doing that, we’ll get better. A coach I used to work with told me you have to treat them like a bank account. You’ve got to be sure you’re investing into them so you can withdraw from them.”

Either way, South is a little short on funds this season. Yow replaces Jason Rollins and inherits a young, undersized team that went 2-6 in conference,  3-8 overall and endured a seven-game losing streak in 2014. Help is on the way, but it may take a while for this recipe to brew.

“We’re asking for patience,” said Yow, a former assistant at Salisbury and Hickory Ridge. “We’ll get there. Change isn’t going to happen overnight.”

In the here-and-now, South boasts a battle-tested quarterback in senior Heath Barringer (5-10, 180). As a part-time starter last autumn he completed 28 of 64 passes for 358 yards and five touchdowns. He’ll assume a bigger role this year. Other offensive leaders include wide receiver Tyler Rary — a senior who sat out the past two seasons — running back Bailey Purcell and sophomore right tackle Patrick Brooks (6-0, 200), a converted linebacker. Running back/slot receiver Austin Chrismon is ranked first academically in South’s junior class.

“Heath is the one who will make us click,” Yow noted. “He understands what we want. We only have about eight running plays, but in the triple option that gives us 24 choices.”

South’s 3-4 defense will be anchored by linebacker Brian Cagler (6-1, 220) and defensive back Trey Littlejohn, both returning seniors. Cagler has shed 20 pounds and picked up a step.

“Brian knows the defensive playbook as well as the defensive coordinator,” Yow said. “And Trey has speed and great technique. Every coverage you call, he knows what he’s doing and what everyone else across the board is supposed to be doing.”

It’s never a good sign when your most valuable player is a punter, but that’s what Yow has in NCAA Division I prospect Marshall Long. Long routinely rescued the Raiders from near disasters last season. Kicker Brennan Lambert (19-for-20 PATs) is a touchback specialist and completes one of the state’s best kicking tandems.

Still, the outlook for South this fall isn’t promising. The Raiders are a work-in-progress, but here’s the good news: they never stop working.

SOUTH ROWAN

Head coach — Daniel Yow (1st year)

2014 — 3-8, 2-6 SPC

151 PF, 331 PA

Returning starters — Offense 1, Defense 2

Key players —

QB Heath Barringer, senior. Filled in admirably last year after starter Aaron Kennerly was injured. He’s expected to keep the offense on the field and produce more than the 13.7 points-per-game the Raiders averaged.

SLOT Austin Chrismon, junior. Also the backup QB, he spent the summer studying at the School of Science and Math in Durham. Athletic and smart.

DB Trey Littlejohn, senior. A cornerback and safety, he intercepted a pass and returned a blocked punt for a TD in a close loss to West Rowan.

P Marshall Long, senior. Big-time frame and leg will have him punting on Saturdays in the near future. Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American game next winter.