Central (Talbotton) Hawks 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Cedric Stegall begins his 4th season as head coach for the Central High Hawks. We asked Coach Stegall what his biggest challengewas coming into the 2019 season.

“Lack of experience on the offensive linen and depth,” he said.

The Hawks will lean on the legs of  running back Arkevios Leonard to help steady the offense. Meanwhile, O’Kevious Mitchell and Zytravion Carter should be players to watch for the Hawks at wide receiver.

 

 

Both Leonard and Mitchell will line up on both sides of the ball. They will be patrolling the secondary for the Hawks. Linebackers Kanin Searcy and Michael Roland provide experience for the Central defense.

We asked Coach Stegall if there were any games circled on the schedule.

“All of them,” he said.

How will the Hawks define success this season?

Stegall said, “Being competitive in each game, having a winning season.”

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Brookstone Cougars 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

           The Skinny

 

 

Coach Blair Harrison enters his 12th season overall as the head coach of the Brookstone Cougars. Harrison led the Cougars from 2003-2010 and then rejoined the team as head coach in 2017. During his tenure, the Cougars have only missed the playoffs once. We asked Coach Harrison what his biggest challenge was coming into the 2019 season.

“Depth and size,” he said.

Like many Class A schools, this is a challenge year in and year out.

The Cougars return two of their top three running backs from last season. Rylan Cowart and Clark Smith combined for 1,272 yards and 11-TDs a year ago.

 

 

 

 

They should factor large again in the Cougars run oriented offense. (Last season, Brookstone averaged over 286 yards per game on the ground.)

Defensively for the Cougars, Branche Sheffield led the team in total tackles and sacks a season ago and is set to anchor the defensive line. Linebackers Andrew Newton, DJ Jones and Hap Perkins all return as well.

We asked Coach Harrison if there were any games circled on the schedule this season.

“All of them!” he exclaimed.

How will the Cougars define success this season?

Harrison said, “Get better every week.”

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Christian Heritage Lions 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

 

 

**Incase you missed it, you can check out our podcast interview with Coach Poag Here: Christian Heritage Lions Podcast

The Skinny

 

 

Last season, Coach Jay Poag and his Christian Heritage Lions made great strides on the gridiron, as the Lions made it back to the playoffs for the 4th time in school history after a two-year absence. The Lions did graduate some talent from the 2018 team. We asked Coach Poag about the biggest challenge for the 2019 Lions.

“Replacing the production of 4 graduated seniors (2 were All State…Zach Gentry and Duane Jones),” Poag said.

But even with the loss of two All-State players, there is reason for optimism up in Dalton.

“We return the other 18 starters plus a Pre-Season All State kicker,” added Poag.

While the Lions will be looking for a new signal caller on offense, they return their top two running backs in sophomore Gage Leonard and Senior Ethan Smith. The one-two punch for the Lions gained over 1,000 yards and 10-TDs in 2018. Evan Lester returns as the team’s leading receiver. As a sophomore, Lester garnered All-Region honors.

 

 

Defensively for the Lions, linebacker Ben Williams racked up a team high 150 total tackles in 2018. His efforts earned him an All-Region selection last year. Mitchell Herndon will join Williamson at linebacker. Herndon was 3rd on the team in total tackles last season with 116. In the secondary, Solomon Locke returns to lead the defensive backs unit.

Joe Dixon returns at kicker for the Lions. Last season he was 32 for 33 on extra points. And as Coach Poag mentioned before, Dixon is a Pre-Season All-State selection at kicker.

We asked Coach Poag if there were nay games circled on the schedule.

“Three huge road games,” he said, “Mt Zion, Darlington, and North Cobb Christian”

When we asked Coach Poag about his outlook for the season he said:

“We feel like we’re ready to compete for a region championship.”

 

 

 

 

 

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Clinch County Panthers 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

                The Skinny

 

Coach Don Tison will take over as the Head Coach for the Clinch County Panthers. Last season, the Panthers finished their season the best way possible on the field by winning a State Title in the Class-A Public division. We asked Coach Tison what his biggest challenge was coming into his first year.

“Replacing the leadership that graduated,” he said.

The Panthers will return one of their top offensive weapons from last season, junior Tyler Morehead. Morehead, an All-Region selection, made several dazzling plays last season and is looking to duplicate that success again. Joining Morehead back for 2019 is rangy receiver, Jeremiah Johnson. Johnson, a Florida commit, is another All-Region selection, who stands at 6’7” and is a mismatch for most Class A secondaries.

 

 

Defensively, Craig Harris will anchor the line for the Panthers while Darius Dorsey will provide experience at linebacker. Both Dorsey and Harris were All-Region selections last season. The aforementioned Morehead will also play safety for the Panthers and will me joined by Michael Walker in the secondary.

We asked Coach Tison if there were any games circled on the scheduled in year number one.

“The next one,” he said.

How will the Panthers define success in 2019?

Tison said, “Being the best possible team we can be, and developing boys into young men.”

 

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Savannah Country Day Hornets 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

   The Skinny

 

 

Coach Jim Collis takes over as the head coach for the Savannah Country Day Hornets. As the Hornets prepare for the opening of the 2019 season, we asked him what was his biggest challenge coming into the season.

“Numbers, we have 30 kids in the program,” he said.

While the numbers are low, the Hornets do return some players with experience. All-Region honoree Barry Kleinpeter returns at quarterback while Erik Brown returns at running back.

Kenny Odom is a threat for the Hornets in the passing game, while 2018 All-Region selection, Brock Taylor will anchor the Hornets offensive line

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, on defense, Andre Miller should be the straw that stirs the drink for the Hornets. Miller is the top returning tackler in 2019 and also led the team in sacks last season. Miller, an All-Region selection in 2018, has committed to play for Army after high school.  Miller will be joined on the line by another All-Region selection in Kenneth Reedy

We asked Coach Collis if there are any games circled on the schedule.

“(The) first game of the season,” he replied, “ Strafford”

How will the Hornets define success this season?

Collis responded, “Getting buy in from all the players and putting together a great group of kids that reflect all the things that this great game teaches.”


 

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Trion Bulldogs 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

 

**Incase you missed it, you can check out our podcast interview with Coach Brown Here: Trion Bulldogs Podcast

 

               The Skinny

 

Justin Brown begins his eighth season as the head coach of the Trion Bulldogs. Coach Brown has led the Bulldogs to the playoffs in six out of the seven years he his tenure at Trion. We asked Coach Brown what the biggest challenge is for he and his staff coming into the 2019 season.

He replied, “Finding depth and guys that can be Friday night players.”

The Bulldogs graduated several key players from last year’s team. However, starting quarterback Lincoln Maddux returns for Trion. Rob Brown should have an opportunity to lead the run game as he looks to fill the void left by Hagen Willingham’s graduation.

 

 

Clay Baker and Alex Stewart will anchor the defensive line. The Bulldogs will also return a trio of linebackers in Will Wyatt, Bryce Wallin and Kodiak Crabbe.

We asked Coach Brown if there are any games circled on the schedule for the Bulldogs.

He replied, “Gordon Lee.”

How will the Bulldogs define success this season?

Coach Brown said, “A winning season and playoff berth.”

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Union County Panthers 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

              The Skinny

 

Head Coach Brian Allison begins his 18th season at the helm for the Union County Panthers. He has guided the Panthers to the post season in five out of the past six seasons. We asked Coach Allison about his teams biggest challenge coming into 2019.

“Depth on the offensive and defensive line,” he said.

The Panthers will look to Aaron Helton to help anchor the line of scrimmage. If they can develop that depth, it will compliment their skill players well. The Panthers return All-Region quarterback Pierson Allison who threw for 2,840 yards and 24-TDs last season and also rushed for 719 yards with an additional 8 rushing TDs.

Allison’s top two receivers Sawyer Drake and Kyle Morlock both return as well. Both Drake and Morlock were All-Region selections in 2018. Drake caught 44 passes for 900 yards while Morlock caught 47 passes for 757 yards. Each had 8-TD receptions.

 

 

Jonah Daniel, the team’s second leading rusher returns for his junior season to add balance to the Panthers offensive attack.

Meanwhile on defense for the Panthers, All-Region selection Nathaniel Ledford will anchor the line. The Panthers also return their top tacklers from a season ago including linebacker Sloan Sutton, John Mancuso, and defensive back, Kastin Hemphill. Sutton was also tops on the team with 5 sacks last year.

We asked Coach Allison what would make 2019 a successful season for the Panthers.

“Improve week to week and game to game,” he said.

 

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Thomasville Bulldogs 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

               The Skinny

 

Zach Grage has led the Thomasville Bulldogs to the playoffs in his first three seasons as head coach down in the City of Roses. The Bulldogs generally find themselves in the post season more often than not. We asked Coach Grage what the biggest challenge was for his team coming into this season.

“Our schedule,” he said.

The Bulldogs offense lost a lot of firepower from last season. Kevin Cochran is one of the top returning  skill players for Thomasville. In 2018, Cochran caught 45 passes for 651 yards and 2-TDs.

All Region tight end Payten Singletary (a Cincinnati commit), also returns for the Bulldogs. Singletary caught 18 passes for 260 yards and 4-TDs in 2018. Grant Conger and William McBride will anchor the offensive line for the Coach Grage.

 

 

On defense, Singletary will also line up at defensive end will be joined on the line by senior lineman Chris Monroe. Jashawun Thornton will led the linebackers while KD Johnson will be a leader in the  secondary for Thomasville. Johnson is the team’s top returning tackler from last season.

We asked Coach Grage if there were any games that were circled on the schedule for his Bulldogs.

He said, “Cairo, Thomas County Central, Brooks Co, and Fitzgerald.”

What will a successful season look like for the Thomasville Bulldogs?

“Region Championship and a legitimate run at a state title,” said Coach Grage.

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Swainsboro Tigers 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

**Incase you missed it, you can check out our podcast interview with Coach Roberts Here: Swainsboro Tigers Podcast

 

     The Skinny

 

In 2018, Coach Scott Roberts led the Swainsboro Tigers to their first region title in 8 years.  The Tigers also made their deepest run in the playoffs since 2009, which was consequently during Coach Roberts first go round as the Tigers Head Coach. We asked Coach Roberts what the team’s biggest challenge was coming into this season.

“Not being complacent with being average. Finding a way to take the next step to becoming one of the best programs in AA,” Roberts said.

The Tigers will return the Region 2-AA offensive player of the year in quarterback Kade Youmans. Last season, Youmans passed for 2,261 yards and 32 TDs.

Youmans will have two of his top receivers back for the 2019 season in Javon Brown and Cedric Seabrough. Frederick Seabrough should could also factor in to the Tigers aerial assault at tight end.

 

 

Defensively, Ka’yun Davis and Armanie Sims, a pair of All-Region selections, will anchor the line for the Tigers. Sims led the team in sacks last year with 7.  KJ Starnes is back as well in the secondary, while John Henderson IV returns at linebacker. Henderson, Starnes and Sims are the teams leading returning tacklers from last season.

We asked Coach Roberts if there were any games circled on the schedule.

He said, “Our non-region schedule was set up to make sure we were tested by some of the best programs in AA. So, right now, all of those games are circled to see where we stand.”

How will success be defined by the Tigers this season?

Roberts said, “Like all coaches, we want to get the very best out of our kids that we can. Ultimately, we want to win state championships. From a win-loss perspective, there’s only one team in each classification that survives the gauntlet. We are trying to get there.”

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Putnam County War Eagles 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

              The Skinny

 

Shaun Pope begins his 2nd  season as head coach for the Putnam County War Eagles. While Coach Pope continues to put his stamp on the Ware Eagles program, we asked him about the biggest challenge for the 2018 season.

“Getting our young men to believe in themselves and play with consistent toughness,” he said.

We asked coach Pope to give us his thoughts on a few players that may stand out on the field on Friday nights.

“Marcus Jefferson and Cedrion Brundage are explosive athletes that I think will have a phenomenal year,” Pope replied.

Coach Pope also expects Jefferson to be a factor on special teams; specifically the return game.

 

 

 

Pope went on to add, “Waylon Wooten our QB is also ready to be a huge difference maker for us along with several others.”

Meanwhile, on defense, Coach Pope will build around defensive end, Michael Crumbley. Jamarcus Robertson also returns at defensive back. Robertson was an All-Region selection in 2018.

We asked Coach Pope about if there were any games that were circled on the schedule.

He said, “North Oconee because it’s the next one.”

What will a successful season will look like for the War Eagles.

“(If we) Improved each week and be the best that we can possibly be everyday,” Pope said.

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