The Skinny
Coach Tony Welch begins his second season as head coach of the Claxton Tigers. The Tigers posted their most wins in 3 seasons in Welch’s first year and are certainly eager for more. We asked Coach Welch what are some of the biggest challenges for his team coming into the 2018 season.
He said, “Early games, (and) time to prepare (for them).”
Some of those challenging early games that the Tigers are preparing for include the likes of Toombs County and Montgomery County.
While the season is less than a month away for the Tigers, they will have the luxury of welcoming back their leading passer and rusher, Karon Taylor. Taylor led the Eagles last season as a freshman with over 1,100 yards passing and 9 TDs. Taylor’s performance in 2017 was enough to earn him Second Team All-Region honors. Taylor will be joined in the backfield by their second leading rusher and First Team All-Region running back, Myles Freeman. Freeman was also the teams leading receiver last season with 457 yards. Tight end Devon Hagan, a First Team All-Region selection, also returns for his senior season.
Junior defensive tackle Deoveon Hayward will anchor the front four for the Tigers. Hayward earned First Team All-Region honors last season. Other experienced players returning for Claxton are linebacker Myles Freeman and Zach Tillman, along with Second Team All-Region selection Shakari Denson.
Coach Welch and his staff will also be looking for production out of two-way players Allan Bartley (RB/SS), Chenard Densn (DT/OT) Kenan Brewton (OT/DE) and Adam Brown (WR/DB)
There are a couple of big games that are circled for Claxton. The first, is the first game of the season on August 17th against Tattnall County. This should give Coach Welch and the rest of the Tigers staff a good picture of where they stand and where they need to improve. The second game earmarked for the Tigers is the October 12thmatchup against region rival, Calvary Day.
Coach Welch explained that there are two tangible goals for this season, “(a) winning season and making the GHSA playoffs”
We will certainly be taking notes to see if the Tigers can return to the GHSA post season for the first time in four years.
