**Our podcast interview with Coach Bowen will be released on Monday, August 6th. Stay Tuned as Coach Bowen takes a deeper dive into the Eagles upcoming season.**
The Skinny
Last season, Coach John Bowen led the Montgomery County Eagles to their first playoff appearance in 14 years and their highest win total in 28 years. Coach Bowen talked to us about some of the challenges this year’s Eagles will face.
“In a small school, depth is always a concern and this year at MCHS will be a classic example of this” he said, “The Eagles will have to find ways to rotate players enough to create some depth along the OL and offensive backfield. The Eagles must also break in a new QB to take over from the graduation of the school’s all time passing leader, Kris Daniels.”
While the team does lose Daniels at quarterback, there is some talent at the other skill positions. DaQuan Jackson and Randy Shomake return for the Eagles at running back. Each will look to break out of the shadow of graduated senior Clayton Harvey. Jackson was also second on the team in receiving yards last season. Matt Seward will look to fill the void left by the graduation of Shaw Robinson. Kam Wideman (Second team All-Region) and Blain Craft will lead the offensive line again this season.
Defensively Shomake and Jackson return at linebacker and safety respectively. Both were First Team All-Region selections last season on defense. Upfront Ty Roundtree and First Team All-Defensive selection, Jaheim Wilson will anchor the line.
We asked Coach Bowen if there were any games circled on the schedule this season.
“Treutlen, as always due to the rivalry,” he said, “Other than that, Week 1 vs. Atkinson County is huge because the Eagles will need to get off to a fast start if they hope to try and repeat the success of the 2017 season.”
So what is one of the ways success will be defined by the Eagles in 2018?
“Competing night in and night out and handling adversity while developing some leadership,” Bowen said.
