East Carolina linebacker Jeff Kerr, who used to star at South, came by to say a few inspirational words to the current Raiders.

Kerr, who’s survived devastating knee injuries and multiple concussions to become an all-conference player for the Pirates, was the perfect spokesman to chat with coach Rick Vanhoy’s bunch. Kerr knows what it’s like to hit bottom and fight all the way back.

Now, Vanhoy hopes his team can follow Kerr’s inspirational example in 1999.

South has been down a while. There have been no playoff appearances and no wins over arch-rival Kannapolis since Kerr’s senior year in ‘94.

The Raiders are 4-18 over the last two seasons and were seldom in the hunt last year. Over the final three weeks, South was outscored 140-17 by a trio of conference foes. South was a 4A team with a 1A-sized roster. Only 28 players stuck out the entire year. Things could not have been any worse. The big question was: would they ever get any better?

The answer to that, nine months later, is clear. South will certainly be tougher this year. Vanhoy says his team was better the first day of practice in ‘99, than on the last day of the season in ‘98. There is more athleticism, more enthusiasm, more people.

No fewer than 107 kids practiced last week. That’s a pretty good indicator that no one at South is giving up on football.

Because of his numbers, Vanhoy can two-platoon. That limits injuries and keeps people fresh. And it’s a huge boost in practice.

“Last year, there was little competition,” said Vanhoy. “But this year you have (325-pound all-county guard) Brian Billings going against (295-pound tackle) Joe Finney every day. Both kids get better.”

There’s no doubt that the Raider unit that must get a lot better is the defense. South held only two opponents under 24 points last year.

That’s why South’s best athletes — people like Finney and all-county linebacker Darryl Childers — will concentrate on the defensive side.

“The toughest decision when we decided to two-platoon was Darryl,” said Vanhoy of his 190-pound tackling terror. “But the coaches agreed the first priority was to start stopping people. Darryl’s good on offense, but he’s one of the best linebackers around.”

Joining Childers at inside linebacker will be Joel Reyes, another veteran. Reyes, at 195 pounds, played on both lines last year.

“The Raiders will have newcomers at the two outside backer spots. The best might be Jay Phillips, the leading jayvee tackler in 1998. Other candidates include Donnie Canup, Joe Walker, Garry Cornelius and Jonathan Hall.

Finney will anchor the defensive line from his tackle spot.

“Joe needs to dominate,” said Vanhoy. “He needs to show up every play. He’s a Division Iprospect.”

The Raiders will go with a four-man front this season. That means Vanhoy needs defensive ends. He has plenty of applicants for work. Daniel Hallman, Bryant Casey, Matt Shoemaker, Randy Rigsby, Jimmy Propst and Dale Edison are seeking jobs.

Returnee L.J. Ratcliff heads the secondary. Other hopefuls are Ricky Childers, Darryl’s little brother, sophs Brad Lanning and Michael Hamilton, Neal Roberts, Kevin Foy, Nick Goodman and Craig Lear.

“The DBs are young, but athletic,” said Vanhoy.

Vanhoy admits South must improve its kicking game. Blocked punts hurt the Raiders badly a year ago. Finney will again be the world’s largest punter. Soccer star Robby Basinger will be the place-kicker.

The offense will be directed again by junior Tim Cook, a strong-armed QBwho had to learn on the job last year.

“Tim took his lumps mentally and physically,” said Vanhoy. “But I told him last year was as tough as it will ever get. He’s a leader.”

The people lining up behind Cook are the ones who might make this a much different Raider team. Vanhoy has a bevy of running backs, and will use them out of the wishbone.

“For the first time since we had Chris Torrence healthy in ‘96, we’ve got speed. It’s an element we haven’t had,” said Vanhoy.

Keith Garrett, last year’s jayvee flash, Grady Christie, Robert Jones and Tore’ Girty are backs to watch. Childers will get spot carries. But the real deal in the backfield could be Ernie Wiggins. Wiggins, a 185-pounder, is a top sprinter.

“Ernie’s just learning to be a running back,” said Vanhoy. “He still runs too high sometimes. But he learns every time Childers knocks heck out of him in practice. But he has the physical tools.”

The receiving corps will be led by tight end Daniel Pinyan. He’ll be backed by Zack Willett, Patrick Price and Daniel Gaskins.

Sure-handed Jesse Kirkland returns at split end. Speedsters Steve Venable, Michael Clemency and Nick Clemency are in reserve.

The offensive line will be a major strength.

The powerful Billings and fellow guard Patrick Gaddy are all-star candidates. Tackle Michael McLemore and center Tripp Isenhour earned their spurs last year. The other tackle berth will be filled by Matt Lefler, Shane Huneycutt, Brent Sheets or Nathaniel Faggart.

“That bunch knows what to do,” said Vanhoy.

And Vanhoy knows what his team has to do. It has to start strong to keep the positive vibes flowing.

“We do need success early,” he said. “It’s easy to talk a big game. We need to do things on the field. Every team wants to get off to a great start. Half will, half won’t.”

The Raiders will have their work cut out to get off to that great start. The schedule is masochistic. It includes East, North Rowan, Kannapolis and Mooresville early on.

Realistically, four or five wins would constitute a successful year and a step back toward respectability.