Harris County Tigers 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 13, 2019 by admin

 

          The Skinny

 

Head Coach Jamie Fox is in his second season at Harris County. The Tigers were bitten by the injury bug most of last season, but did manage to qualify for the playoffs. We asked Coach Fox what some of his challenges are coming into this season.

“(The Region) 2 of the teams in our region played for the state championship!!!!” he exclaimed.

Those two teams, Bainbridge and Warner Robins played in one of the more entertaining games of the State Finals.

Returning for the Tigers under center is quarterback Davion Mahone. Last season he passed for 595 yards rushed for 410 yards and had 6 total TDs. All-Region selection Tailique Williams returns as one of the team’s top receiving threats.

Meanwhile, Coach Fox will be looking for a replacement for Cal’von Harris. Senior back Xavier Richmond and sophomore John Austin Cochran could be poised for big seasons as they run behind an offensive line anchored by Colby Dumas, Ealan Chapman and Spencer Gasaway.

 

 

Defensively, All-Region selection Nick Richey will anchor the line for the Tigers. Richey was 6th on the team last season in total tackles. Linebacker Edmund Whitaker is the Tigers  leading returning tackler. Javion Smith also provides experience at backer for the Tigers. In the secondary, Damon Willis and Josh Trice could be headed for big seasons.

What, if any, rivalry games are circled on the calendar for Harris County?

Coach Fox said, “We don’t have a natural rival, so we look at them all as being important.”

How will the Tigers define success this season?

Fox answered, “We have made the playoffs the last two years. Harris County has only made the playoffs 3 years in a row only once, 2012-2014. I think making the playoffs would be a great accomplishment 3 years in a row, since it’s only happened once in school history.”

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Carrollton Trojans 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 13, 2019 by admin

 

        The Skinny

 

Coach Sean Calhoun begins his 4th season as Head Coach for the Carrollton Trojans. The Trojans returned to the quarterfinals last season for the 3rd consecutive year; and have only missed out on post season play once in the last 30 years. With that tradition of success on the field, we asked Coach Calhoun what his biggest challenge was coming into the 2019 season.

He said, “Getting inexperienced kids ready.”

While Coach Calhoun and his staff get some of the inexperienced players ready, they do have some experience returning.

On offense, Myles Morris will return under center at quarterback. The Trojans also return their top two running backs from a season ago as Brandon Marenco (944 yards, 14-TDs) and Kodee Brewer (693 yards, 10-TDs). They will  look to duplicate their success on the ground from last season. Leading the way for these two backs is fullback Chase Sippola and on the line, Micah Moten will be looked upon to provide leadership.

 

 

Defensively, the Trojans return perhaps a few of the best linebackers in the state and some might argue the country. Senior Kevin Swint (a Clemson Commit) and Junior Chaz Chambliss led the team last season in tackles and sacks. They both appear on national recruiting lists and should be in for another big season. Jerius Edwards joins Swint and Chambliss to make for one of the most formidable linebacker groups in the state. Look for Cyrus McClure and Derrick Witherspoon to have opportunities to be leaders in the secondary for Carrollton.

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

He said, “Bremen Scrimmage (it is the first competition !)”

How will the Trojans define success in 2019?

Coach Calhoun responded, “Are we better at the end of the season than the beginning: on and off the field.”

 

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Walnut Grove Warriors 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

 

 

 

             The Skinny

Coach Robert Andrews enters his second season as head coach for the  Walnut Grove Warriors. The Warriors region includes traditional powers such as Buford and Clarke Central, so that schedule presents some challenges in and of itself. We asked Coach Andrews what the biggest challenge was coming into this season.

“Inexperience and depth are at the top of the list,” he said.

Coach Andrews gave us some insight on some of the players on his roster that could be in for a big year. Guys like Dylan Nunn (LB), Preston Little (WR/DB) and Adam Head (OL/DL) are in a position to shine for the Warriors this season.

 

 

“We have several players with the potential to have quality seasons,” said Andrews.

The Warriors will lean on Tyler Lester at running back early on, while the aforementioned Little and Colin Evon will be leaders on the defensive side of the ball.

There are no games in particular that are circled on the schedule for the Warriors. Just one at a time as the old cliché goes.

How will the Warriors define success this season?

Coach Andrews kept it simple, “Giving maximum effort.”

  

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Sprayberry Yellow Jackets 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

 

         The Skinny

 

Brett Vavra enters his third season as head coach for the Sprayberry Yellow Jackets. While last year’s win total may not reflect it, the Jackets were competitive in most if not all of the games that they played, taking playoff teams like Sequoyah and Harrison down to the wire. As the Jackets look to build on the success in 2018, we asked Coach Vavra what his biggest challenge was coming into the season.

“Preparing for a challenging schedule,” he said.

That schedule includes 5 playoff teams from a year ago.

The Sprayberry offense will rely on the experience of Cody Menzer along the offensive line and Josh Bush at running back. Bush is a shifty back who is dangerous out in space.

Jake O’Buck should also add depth on the offensive line while Damarion Owens is a physical back that could help form a formidable duo at running back for the Jackets.

 

 

Kyle Brown appears set to take over as starter under center, while Markus Stephens and Fatir Muhammad are poised to make an impact at receiver.

Defensively, the Jackets returns All-Region selection Marlon Krakue at linebacker. Krakue showed the ability to shed blockers and make plays in the backfield. He’s a player with a high motor and always seems to be around the ball.  Junior Christian Mergler is also poised to anchor the defensive line for the Jackets.

We asked if there were any games circled on the schedule for the Jackets.

“Sequoyah,” said Coach Vavra.

How will Sprayberry define success this season?

Coach Vavra simply said, “Improvement from last year.”

 

 

 

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South Cobb 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

            The Skinny

 

Terry Jones begins his third season as head coach for the South Cobb Eagles. We asked Coach Jones about his team’s biggest challenge coming into 2019.

“Ourselves is our biggest challenge,” he said. “We have to learn how to work as a team first and the rest will take care of itself.”

South Cobb will be replacing most of their offensive firepower, which was lost to graduation. Ali Fard returns for the Eagles at running back. Fard rushed for 314 yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry. George Walker and Adebanji Bamidele will be called upon to anchor the offensive line.

Fard is also a top returner for the Eagles defense. He is the team’s top returning tackler.

 

 

 

Perhaps the strength of the Eagles defense will be on the line as they return several players with game experience including Bamidele, Trey Riley, Gerald Olarinde and Yuakies Lewis.

We asked if there were any games circled on the schedule for the Eagles.

“The next game is what circled for us,” said Jones. “But Pebblebrook is one that high on my kids list. We have to get our trophy back from our cross town rival.”

How will South Cobb define success this season?

Jones replied, “Our success will be defined by how finish games and how we handle adversity.”

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Mays Raiders 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

 

              The Skinny

 

Coach Niketa Battle has lead the Mays Raiders to the playoffs on all 3 of his seasons at the helm. As the Raiders prepare for the 2019 season, we asked Coach Battle what the team’s biggest challenge is this year.

“Our Biggest Challenge is to get our offensive lineman Bigger, Faster, and Stronger,” he said.

While the Raiders work on improving the offensive line, they do welcome back some offensive fire power from last season. Tyree Nelson will return to the backfield. Last season, Nelson rushed for 681 yards and 8-TDs.

Meanwhile, Zaire Thornton (WR), Tavarious Carswell (WR) and two-way player JaQuari Wiggles (TE) should provide for a more than capable group of receivers to help stretch the field.

 

 

 

The aforementioned Wiggles doubles as one of the top defensive lineman in region 5-6A. He recorded 9 sacks last season for the Raiders. Linebacker Draveon Scott and safety Omari Drake return as two of the top tacklers from a year ago. Scott recorded 41 solo tackles while Drake netted 42. Durante Jones will add depth in the secondary for Mays.

We asked Coach Battle if there were any games circled on the calendar this season for the Raiders.

He replied, “All games are State Championship Games.”

How will the Raiders define success this season?

“Commitment to complete all of the smaller things to success,” said Coach Battle.

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Lee County Trojans 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Head Coach Dean Fabrizio had his Lee County Trojans clicking on all cylinders last season going undefeated and claiming their second consecutive state title in football. So after winning back-to-back titles, it should be no surprise how coach Fabrizio responded when we asked what is the team’s biggest challenge coming into this season.

“Avoiding complacency,” he said.

The Trojans have the luxury of bringing back Kyle Toole at quarterback. Last season, Toole passed for over 2,100 yards and 22-TDs with only 1-INT. Toole’s top receiving threat returns in junior Chauncey Magwood. Magwood led the team in receptions (27) and yards (453) last season.

 

 

 

 

James Hopson, the team’s third leading receiver from a year ago returns for his senior season. While tight end Parker Rogers and lineman Wing Green will add experience along the line of scrimmage.

Defensively, linebacker Baron Hopson will lead the way for a Trojans defense that surrendered a paltry 5.1 points per game last season. Last year’s defense also recorded 6 shutouts.

There are no games circled on the schedule for the Trojans. They just take each week one at a time. Certainly many teams will be gunning for the Trojans, but we believe they have enough talent to make another deep run into the playoffs this season.

 

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Langston Hughes Panthers 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

 

**Incase you missed it, you can check out our podcast interview with Coach Williams here: Langston Hughes Panthers Podcast

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Daniel Williams takes over as head coach of the Langston Hughes Panthers. Coach Williams is only the second head coach in the school’s history as he succeeds one of his biggest coaching influences, Willie Cannon.

We asked Coach Williams what the biggest challenge is coming into 2019.

“Getting young players ready for Friday Night Lights,” he said.

There are many challenges within that preparation for certain. Coach Williams inherits a team that went 4-6 and missed the post season for the first time in 7 seasons.

The Panthers will have some returners at the skill positions this season on offense. They are headlined by junior running back Jamond Lee. Last season, Lee led the team in rushing with 507 yards. Rising Sophomore Antonio Martin was second on the team in rushing with 257 yards and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. They Panthers also return two quarterbacks in Zadrien White and Daniel Davis.

 

 

Defensively, Nate Dean will anchor the line. The junior is a load in the middle at 5’11” 322. Unterrius Bailey will return at defensive end. Last season he recorded 6.5 sacks.

The defense was an area of strength last season for the Panthers as they only gave up 12.7 points per game. If they can duplicate that success in 2019, we believe there is a good chance their win total will increase this season as well.

We asked Coach Williams if there are any games circled on the calendar this season.

“All (of) our region games,” he said.

How will the Panthers define success this season?

Coach Williams replied, “Making the playoffs.”

 

 

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Harrison Hoyas 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

            The Skinny

 

Coach Matt Dickman enters his 7th year as head coach for the Harrison Hoyas. During his tenure, the Hoyas have finished with no less than 5 wins each season and have qualified for the playoffs for the last three seasons. We asked Coach Dickman what his team’s biggest challenge is coming into the 2019 campaign.

“Preparing kids over the summer- things have changed- kids are pulled all directions now, “ he said.

He continued by saying, “Next- getting players to be all in for their teammates. Accountability.”

The Hoyas return quarterback Gavin Hall. Hall, an All-Region selection in 2018 passed for 1,323 yards and 12-TDs. Behind Hall in the backfield will be David Roberts, another All-Region selection. As a junior, Roberts led the team with 518 yards rushing and 10-TDs. He also caught 11 balls last season.

 

 

 

Jay Ziglor should help steady the Hoyas at receiver, last season he was an All-Region selection and is poised to improve on his production from 2018.

Defensively, the Hoyas return two All-Region performers in Ryan Smith at linebacker and Victor Pless in the secondary. Smith led the team in solo and total tackles (43 and 77 respectively); while Pless led the defense with three interceptions. Micaiah Bell could be in line for a big season for the Hoyas along the defensive line.

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

“All (of the) Region games,” he said.

How will success be defined by the Hoya program in 2019?

“(By) Staying healthy and staying accountable to their teammates,” Dickman responded.

 

 

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Gainesville Red Elephants 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

                The Skinny

Heath Webb enters his second season as head coach of the Gainesville Red Elephants football team. Last season, the Red Elephants continued an impressive streak of 19 consecutive post-season appearances. As Coach Webb begins this season, we asked him what some of his biggest challenges are.

“Overcoming a disappointing 2018 campaign,” he said.

The Red Elephants won two games last season, but as we mentioned before, still qualified for the playoffs. But Gainesville is a historic powerhouse and the expectations are always high for the Red Elephants.

On offense, All-Region lineman Jordan Williams will be a solid building block for Coach Webb to build around. Williams is a Georgia Tech commit. Elijah Ruiz should also be an impact player along the line this season for Gainesville.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Gionni Williams, who led the team in passing a year ago as a sophomore is poised to lead the Red Elephants again. Lenny Chatman, an All-Region selection a year ago, is the top-returning receiver in 2019. He led the team with 269 yards and 2 receiving TDs.

Defensively, look for Makius Scott to anchor the defensive line. Scott was a 2018 All-Region selection and has committed to South Carolina. Scott will be joined up front by up and coming sophomore, Khaliq Maddox. Ques Borders will also add experience at linebacker for the Red Elephants.

We asked Coach Webb if there were any games that are circled on the schedule.

He simply replied, “The next one.”

How will success be defined by Gainesville this season?

Coach Webb said, “Getting back to the Gainesville standard.”

 

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