Camden County Wildcats Football Preview

Posted on August 11, 2018 by admin

 

**Be sure to check out our Podcast interview with Coach Sphire. The link is here: Coach Bob Sphire Interview**

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Bob Sphire enters his second season as the head coach down at Camden County. Coach Sphire is looking to wake the sleeping giant of southeast Georgia. (Camden County has been a perennial power over the past four decades.)

There are certainly some pieces to build around for Coach Sphire and his staff. On offense the Wildcats return leading receiver and Second Team All-Region selection Logan Berryhill (384 yards,  5 TDs). The team also returns their leading rusher, Jalen Davis, who ran for 533 yards and 2 TDs while sharing time in the backfield last season.

Look for Kaleb Keaton to also add production from his slotback position.  Up front, linemen Micah Morris and Christopher Hunt (First Team All-Region) will be charged with making holes for Davis and the rest of the Wildcats.

 

 

Defensively, Camden County returns a trio of linebackers with significant game experience including Second Team All-Region selections Ronnin Wright and Desmond Fogle. Tristan Berryhill will add depth and experience at linebacker. Up front, Myson Livingston will anchor the defensive line.

We asked Coach Sphire what games, if any were circled on the schedule.

“All three region games Lowndes, Colquitt, and Tift,” he said.

While we don’t have a clear picture of how the Wildcats will define success this season, we certainly believe it involves improving week to week and being competing to the best of their ability.

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Campbell Spartans Football Preview

Posted on August 11, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

In his first season, Coach Kyle Adkins guided the Campbell Spartans to their first playoff appearance since 2006. It was also the Spartans highest win total since 2007. After that success in year one, we asked coach Adkins what would be his staff’s biggest challenge coming into the 2018 season.

“Creating depth at multiple positions,” he said.

The Spartans will have some holes to fill with the losses of running back Coby Deprill, receivers Ray Decosey and Marcus Rogers as well as Brandon Lewis on the line. All four made the all region team in 2017. This year’s offensive line for the Spartans will be anchored by Eduardo Pimental and Tomas Salvador.

Tavion “Tank” Jackson seems poised to take over as the starting running back for Campbell. Javaiz Bradford could also be poised to help the Spartans on offense.

 

 

On defense, Campbell will be led by linebackers Kobe Marshall and Terrence Pratt. Pratt is a physical linebacker that seems to always be flying around the field. Jordan Outlaw will lead the secondary for the Spartans .

We asked coach Adkins if there were any games that were circled on the schedule for his Spartans.

“All ten games,” Adkins said.

We asked Coach Adkins how success would be defined for Campbell this season.

“Playing fast and physical every week. Consistency is what we need,” he said.

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Colquitt County Packers Football Preview

Posted on August 11, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

 

It’s no secret that the Colquitt County Packers have had tremendous amount of success in Coach Rush Probst’s tenure. In his 11 seasons, the Packers have missed the playoffs only once. They have won two state titles and have made deep runs in all of their playoff appearances in the last 10 years.

While the state may have come to expect a high level performance from the Packers each season, in 2018, the Packers do have some hurdles to overcome.

We asked Coach Probst about the biggest challenge coming into the 2018 season.

“(We are) inexperienced at the quarterback position, (the) task of finding a player that can do the minimum to help our offense generate points,” he said.

We asked about the outlook for the Packers this season.

Probst said, “We have a good nucleus of players returning with valuable playing experience. We also have great depth in numbers, and an excellent kicker returning for special teams.”

While the Packers are trying to find a replacement at quarterback, they do return a bevy of talent on offense, highlighted by running backs Daijun Edwards and Ty Leggett. Edwards and Leggett combined for over 2,300 yards rushing and 25 TDs in 2017.  Leggett was a First Team All-Region selection in 2017 while Edwards was a Second Team All-Region selection.

The Packers also have the luxury of returning four experienced offensive lineman from last seasons team. All of whom wereAll-Region selections. William Rykard (First Team), Kamar Bell (First Team), Kameren Barnes (Second Team) and Jerick Davis (Honorable Mention) are all back to help pave the way for the Packers ground game.

 

 

 

A pair of Second Team All-Region selections are back to lead the Packers receiving corps. K.T. Wilson (356 yards, 5 TDs) and Josh Hadley (207 yards 2 TDs) will be called upon to help fill the void left by Cam Singletary. Marvion McDonald (230 yards 2 TDs) and Tyrique Williams are also names that we could here often for the Packers through the air.

The Colquitt County defense also returns a host of All-Region performers. The defensive line will be anchored by First Team All-Region selection Brian Merritt and All –Region Honorable Mention selection, Kree Herring. Merritt led the Packers in sacks last season with 7.5.

Colquitt also welcomes back three experienced linebackers, highlighted by All-State Honorable Mention selection Rashard Revels. Revels recorded a team high 201 total tackles and 5 sacks last season. He will be joined by Marcus Anderson, (Second Team All-Region) who was second on the team in total tackles, (with 148) and Camari Louis, an All-Region Honorable Mention selection.

The secondary will be patrolled by Jay Ward, Nyqann Washington and Kamrin Woods. Ward, a First Team All-Region selection, was second on the team in interceptions, with 4 last season. While Washington, a Second Team All-Region selection, led the Packers in picks with 5. Woods also garnered an All-Region Honorable Mention selection in 2017.

Let’s also not over look the fact that the Packers return Ryan Fitzgerald on special teams, as Coach Probst mentioned before. Fitzgerald was the special teams player of the year for Region 1-7A. He also earned First Team All-State honors as a kicker in 2017. His leg could prove to be a huge weapon again for the Packers.

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

He replied, “The entire schedule, this is another challenging season.”

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Discovery Titans Football Preview

Posted on August 11, 2018 by admin

 

**Don’t forget to check out our Podcast interview with Coach Efrem Hill. The link to the interview is here: Coach Hill Podcast Interview**

 

The Skinny

 

The Discovery Titans are still a program in it’s infancy stage. The Titans will be playing only their 3rd year of varsity football. Coach Efrem Hill has been charged with starting the program from scratch. Coach Hill talked briefly about the biggest challenge he and his staff face as they prepare for the upcoming season.

“The biggest challenge is getting 14,15,16,and 17 year olds to understand the importance of Rest, Re-hydrate, and refuel,” he said.

The Titans players will certainly need to embrace those three “R’s” that Coach Hill referenced as they play in a very challenging region that is home to the defending state champion, (North Gwinnett).

We asked Coach Hill about any players that were poised for a breakout season.

“I believe that this is going to be the year of the big guys up front. (Offensively and defensively), “ he said.

Some of the offensive lineman that Coach Hill will be leaning on this season are Christian Beltran, Wilson Ruiz, Christian Davis and Ariel Gonzalez.  (Davis was a Second Team All-Region selection last season.)

 

 

 

At the offensive skill positions, the Titans return leading passer Alex Drazic (1,336 yards, 8 TDs).  Joining Drazic in the backfield will be Junior Shameski Rucker and at receiver, Kobe Johnson looks poised to build on his success as the leading receiver in terms of catches (37) in 2017.

The defense  welcomes back their two leading tacklers from a year ago, linebackers, Noble Joyner (64) and Blamassi Meite (61).  Joyner also lead the team in sacks last season. Mustafa Alkhatib will help anchor the defensive line , while Kai Felder and Anthony Rochester look to lead the secondary.

We asked if any games were circled on the calendar.

Coach Hill said, “Dacula, the opener!”

We can be sure that the Titans won’t be looking past anyone.  We also asked Hill how he would define success this season.

“Success will be defined on us improving from day to day game to game. Are we better today than we were yesterday,” he said.

 

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Forsyth Central Bulldogs Football Preview

Posted on August 11, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Frank Hepler will begin his 3rd season at Forsyth Central in 2018. While the Bulldogs were winless in 2017, it certainly doesn’t mean they were not competitive. So it might be easy to assume that Coach Hepler’s definition of success would be winning a few games this season. But it looks like Hepler is building far beyond wins and losses.

“So many ways that don’t have anything to do with winning, but will eventually lead to winning. We are still in a building process,” Hepler said.

Offensively, Coach Hepler will have a few skill players returning to help build upon. Running backs Hunter Cagle and Devron Orsan return for the 2018 campaign. Orsan was a Second Team All-Region selection and lead the Bulldogs in rushing with 591 yards and 10 TDs. On the line, Ben Ranke looks poised to help make running lanes available for Orsan and Cagle.

 

 

On defense, the Bulldogs return their leading tackler Jackson Leak. Leak was a First Team All-Region selection last season. Joining him in the box will be lineman Matt Quinn and linebacker Mitchell Weber.  Matt Quinn brings back quality experience in the secondary.

While Coach Hepler isn’t taking any game for granted, the game that is probably circled on the calendar is the first region game. This season that happens to be County rival, North Forsyth.

We will keep an eye on the Bulldogs as Coach Hepler continues to rebuild the program.

 

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Meadowcreek Mustangs Football Preview

Posted on August 11, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Last season, Coach Jason Carrera led the Meadowcreek Mustangs to their first playoff appearance since 1988. The Mustangs also tied a record for the most wins in school history. The Mustangs will be without First Team All-State running back Chauncey Williams. While we know that will be a big challenge for the Mustangs, we asked Coach Carrera what would be one of the biggest challenges outside of replacing Williams.

“Transiency and building numbers, depth,” he said.

The Mustangs will return their starting quarterback, Quincy Bonner. Bonner was second on the team in rushing in 2017. Demarcus Jones is shaping up to be a go to receiver for Bonner.

 

Two way players James King (OL/DL) and Desmon Jackson (RB/DE) should be returners that help out both the offense and defense. Promise Williams will add experience to the defense as well.

We asked coach Carrera if there was any game that was circled on the schedule for the Mustangs.

“The first one and everyone after that,” he said.

How will Meadowcreek define success this season?

“Being the best we can be each week with perfect effort and demanding excellence,” said Carrera.

 

 

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Parkview Panthers Football Preview

Posted on August 11, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

The Parkview Panthers enter the 2018 season with a “youthful, but talented offense” according to head coach Eric Godfrey. Coach Godfrey’s Panthers reached the quarterfinals last season. It was the team’s best finish in the past five years. This season the Panthers will be without All-State Honorable Mention QB Fred Payton and 2nd team All-State RB Christian Mallory.

The Panthers lost most of their production on offense to graduation. However, the teams second leading receiver, Malik Washington returns for his senior season. His season was cut short, but in 6 games he did manage 517 receiving yards that was good for second on the team. Godfrey has high praise for his senior receiver.

“Malik Washington (is) probably the best overall athlete in the state of Georgia,”  Godfrey said.

But Coach Godfrey is not alone in his assessment. In 2017, GHSF Daily named Washington as on of the top 10 athletes in the state.

 

 

Junior LB Kobe Wilson, was second on the team in tackles last season, with 90.  DE Bryce Wilson is also a sure tackler. He led the team with 3.5 sacks on the season. Justin Triplet, a 6’2” 284lb defensive end will help bolster the Parkview defense. We also expect for Malik Washington to be patrolling the defensive secondary for the Panthers as well.

While the Panthers won’t be overlooking any of their opponents this season, you can believe that they will be eagerly anticipating their annual matchup against neighborhood rival Brookwood on October 19th in the Battle of Five-Forks.

Postseason play has become the rule and not necessarily the exception for the Panthers. With that said, it’s no surprise that when asked about what would make this season a success for the Panthers.

“Playoff victories,” Coach Godfrey said.

 

 

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Cherokee Warriors Football Preview

Posted on August 10, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

The Cherokee Warriors were plagued last season by injuries and a bit of inexperience. But after breaking in several new starters in 2017, the Warriors should have some  much-needed game experience as the 2018 season approaches.

Two of the top returners to the team will be lineman Garrison Blackmon and running back Garrett Miles. Blackmon was a second-team All-Region selection last season for the Warriors. (Miles missed his junior season with an injury.). Coach Shaw believes that wide receivers DeAndre Turner and Devin Ellison could be a couple of players that can contribute offensively this season.

On defense, seniors McKinley Hunter (LB), Grant Mogelnicki (DB) and Kerwin Majano (DL) look to lead the way for the Cherokee Defense. Mogelnicki and Majano earned second-team All-Region honors in 2017, while Hunter was an Honorable Mention selection. In addition to these three, look for contributions on defense from LB Grant Hornbuckle, (second team All-Region), DB Blake Kenney, and DL Jaden Williams.

 

 

Which games are circled on the calendar for the Warriors?

“All the region games. Those are the ones that decide if you make it to a game 11,” said Shaw.

He continued,  “Obviously Etowah & Woodstock for being in-county region opponents.”

Success this season for Coach Shaw and his staff might be defined differently than you think.

“Obviously to ‘outsiders’ it will be wins/loses. But for our coaching staff, it will be how our players grow as a family and play for each other,” Shaw explained.

We asked Coach Shaw about some of his standouts in the community.

“We have a lot of them; as serving others is the backbone of our program. Too many to list.” Shaw said.

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Creekview Grizzlies Football Preview

Posted on August 10, 2018 by admin

The Skinny

 

Coach Adam Carter takes over as the new head coach of the Creekview Grizzlies. Coach Carter inherits a Creekview team that has missed out on the playoffs the last two seasons. We asked Coach Carter what his biggest challenge would be coming into 2018.

“Creating a new culture,” Carter said.

While Coach Carter is busy instilling that blue-collar culture, he will have some pretty good pieces to build upon. The Grizzlies return First Team All-Region running back Cade Radam and First Team All-Region lineman Nick Pendley. Radam rushed for over 1,300 yards in 2017 and also had 22 receptions out of the backfield.

Joining Pendley to anchor the offensive line will be “Big” John Williams and Tanner Taranto. Both Williams and Pendley stand at 6’5” and both weigh in at over 270lbs. Dual sport athlete, Paxton Nayman is poised to help both in the run game and the passing game for the Grizzlies. Nayman hauled in 12 catches and had 3 receiving TDs last season. He has garnered plenty of interest from D1 coaches this past off-season.

 

 

 

The Grizzlies will have a new starter at QB in 2018. Ethan Dirrim is poised to be under center when the Grizzlies visit Cambridge on August 17th. Dirrim did see some action at quarterback last season, completing over 65% of his passes. Jacob Pfundt could become another big target for Dirrim this season.

The Grizzlies defensive line will be anchored by John Hanaford and Avery Rocks. Hanaford garnered Second Team All-Region honors last season. Creekview also return their three top tacklers from a year ago, Safety Andy Davis (101 tackles), and linebackers Chance Schwartz (78 tackles) and Jacob Graham (77 tackles).  Davis, a recent Citadel commit, was also a Second Team All-Region selection last season.

Coach Carter said the team doesn’t have any particular game circled on the calendar. The next game is the most important game for the Grizzlies.

We asked Carter how his team would define success this season.

He said, “Kids playing hard, playing for each other.”

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Etowah Eagles Football Preview

Posted on August 10, 2018 by admin

The Skinny

 

Coach Dave Svelha returns to Etowah for his seventh season as head coach. Coach Svehla has guided the Eagles to five consecutive playoff appearances including an appearance in the semi-finals in 2014. As with many teams in Cherokee County the Eagles will be looking to replace starters at the skill position.

While the Eagles lose the production of starting quarterback Patrick Ferris and the dynamic wide out Blake Jones, the Eagles do return running back Nick Maddox. Maddox was a First Team All-Region selection in 2017. Dominick D’Antonion will anchor another talented Cherokee County offensive line. D’Antonio, a First Team All-Region selection last season will be joined by Porfirio Acosta, who was an Honarable Mention selection and newcomer Will Robertson.

Defensivley, the Eagles will be paced by a pair of linemen in Dalton Nicolai, a First Team All-Region selection and Cole Milovanovic, an Honorable Mention selection in 2017.

While we did not have a chance to talk to Coach Svehla, the one thing we can say from seeing them play over the years, is that his teams are always tough and always play hard. While there will be some offensive fire-power to make up for, this should be a very competitive team and we wouldn’t be shocked to see them back in the playoffs in 2018.

 

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