Claxton Tigers Football Preview

Posted on August 4, 2018 by admin

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.

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Eastside Eagles Football Preview

Posted on August 4, 2018 by admin

 

**Our podcast interview with Coach Hoff will be released on Tuesday, August 7th. Stay Tuned as Coach Hoff takes a deeper dive into the Eagles upcoming season.** 

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Troy Hoff begins his 4thseason as the head coach of the Eastside Eagles. Coach Hoff has led the Eagles to the post season in consecutive seasons. However, to get back to the post season in 2018, the Eagles will need to address some of their biggest challenges. Coach Hoff explained what one of those challenges was.

“This year, developing competition & depth on the offensive and defensive line,” he said.

While the Eagles will be working to shore up both lines, we asked coach Hoff who could be primed for a breakout season.

“Taylor Carter (Senior RB/DB), He’s been a high level player for us on both sides of the ball. He’s also been extremely productive – won’t be a surprise, but he’s done a great job of leading us this off-season,” he said.

Joining Carter in the offensive backfield will be sophomore Quincy Cullins. Last season, the two combined for 1,084 yards and 12 TDs. The Eagles also return two of their top receivers from last season, Jamari Brown and Jerry Mays.  Both Brown and Mays were All Region Honorable Mention selections in 2017.

 

As mentioned before, the Eagles will be looking to add depth along the offensive line, but they do welcome back Second Team All-Region lineman Dustin Morgan.

Defensively, linebackers Jamari Brundage and Dalton Whitney give the Eagles some valuable experience. Brundage was second on the team in tackles last season and an All-Region Honorable Mention selection. Two-way stars, Jamari Brown and Taylor Carter return to the secondary. Brown led the team in interceptions in 2017 with 5.  Coach Hoff has already explained how valuable Carter is to the team.

We asked Coach Hoff if there were any games that were more important than others.

Hoff said, “All of them! Obviously region play is most critical – Woodward Academy is the defending region champion so they are the team that everyone measures themselves against.”

Regarding success this season, Coach Hoff said, “Showing constant improvement to play to our capabilities – (we) want to be in a position to win the game in the 4th quarter.”

 

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Salem Seminoles Football Preview

Posted on August 4, 2018 by admin

 

 

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Jarrett Laws led the Seminoles to the playoffs for the first time in 3 years last season. It looks like Coach Laws has the Seminoles headed in the right direction. But he did share with us one of the challenges he and his staff face going into the 2018 season.

“Getting our guys to perform at their full potential every day, both in practice as well as during games,” he said.

We asked Coach Law about some of the top offensive returners this season.

He said, “The offensive unit as a whole. We return 9 players that have started at some point last season.”

A few of those players at the skill positions include quarterback Donald Wilson, and receivers Makari Pruitt and Tyler Smith. All three players garnered First Team All-Region honors last season.  Wilson led the team in passing with over 1,500 yards last season and 14 TDs.  Pruitt and Smith were first and second respectively in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. The duo combined for over 1,000 yards receiving and 10 TDs.

Omarius Burnam and Jesse Carter return as the team’s two top rushers from last season. Burnam was a Second Team All-Region selection while Carter was recognized as Honorable Mention.

 

 

On defense, the line will be led be Second Team All-Region end DeVon Reaves. Reaves wreaked havoc in opposing offenses backfield all season last year. Brad Plunkett will provide experience at the line backer position while Keevan Bailey and Artemus McCorkle (All-Region Honorable Mention) return in the secondary.

We asked Coach Laws about some of those players flying under the radar that might be poised for a breakout season.

“Several,” he said, “but I’ve been really impressed with the growth of offensive lineman Reco McDaniel, Wide Receiver Lennox Bowie, and cornerback Justin Johnson.”

But what about any particular games that are circled on the calendar. Coach Laws gave a unique answer.

“Week 11, which is the 1st week of the GHSA playoffs. Our goal is to have a game scheduled during that week,” he said.

With regards to how the team will define success Coach Laws quoted legendary basketball coach John Wooden:

“Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.” – John Wooden

 

 

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Marist Ware Eagles Football Preview

Posted on August 4, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

Coach Alan Chadwick enters his 34thseason as the head coach at Marist. No active coach has more wins than Coach Chadwick (364), and under his leadership,  Marist has never missed post-season play. Yet as with all programs across the state, each season holds its own set of challenges. We asked Coach Chadwick what he thought might be the biggest challenge this upcoming season.

“Replacing our entire offensive backfield and line backers, “ Chadwick said.

It was a backfield that churned out over 1,100 yards through the air and over 1,400 yards on the ground during the regular season.  The War Eagles do return their second leading receiver from a year ago, Kyle Hamilton.  Hamilton is two-way player who was also a first team All-Region selection at his safety position. Two way player Matthew Houghton  (WR/DB) should be poised to step in for the War Eagles and help fill the void left from graduation.

Joining Hamilton and Houghton on defense will be  first team All-Region defensive end Dean Colton and Honorable Mention selection Ryan Mannelly (defensive end).  Mannelly lead Marist in sacks last season with five.

 

Adam Pozzobon also returns on the defensive line for the War Eagles. This should make for a formidable front four. Look for this group to lead the way while the next crop of Marist linebackers learn on the go.

While we know that Marist won’t be overlooking any opponents this season. Blessed Trinity is a game that should be circled on their calendar. Marist lost to their region foe in the Finals of the AAAA state title game last season.

Under Chadwick, Marist has been a model of consistency when it comes to post-season play as we mentioned earlier. So it should come as no surprise how Coach Chadwick responded when we asked about goals for this season.

“Going deep into the playoffs,” he said.

The War-Eagles are also very active in the community. We asked coach Chadwick to name some of the teams All-Stars off the field. He said, “there are too many to name.”

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Christian Heritage Football Preview

Posted on August 4, 2018 by admin

The Skinny

 

Coach Jay Poag begins his third season as head coach of the Christian Heritage Lions. The Lions are in their seventh season of play at the GHSA level. The Lions will face a challenging slate of games in 2018 including a 3 game stretch of regional foes Mt. Zion, Carroll, Darlington, and Trion. All of whom made the playoffs last season.

Christian Heritage returns quarterback Matthew Neff on offense. Last season, Neff threw for over 1,600 yards with 13 TDs.  Additionally, Zach Gentry returns at wide receiver for the Lions. Gentry led the team in rushing last season and was also second in receiving with 663 yards. Evan Lester is also projected to contribute at receiver for the Lions as well. Lester is a big target at 6’2” 205lbs.

 

 

Defensively, the Lions will be led by linebackers,  Duane Jones, Mitchell Herndon and Syd Reece.

We asked Coach Poag if there were any games that were circled on the calendar.

“All of them,” he said,

What will success look like for the Lions this season?

Paog explained, “Being competitive and putting ourselves in position to win games in 4th quarter.”

 

 

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Chattahoochee County Football Preview

Posted on August 4, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Last season, the Chattahoochee County Panthers recorded the 3rdmost wins in their 13-year school history. Third year head coach Drew Fowler knows that this season will present a new set of challenges however.  Fowler was not shy when being asked about the biggest challenge of the season.

“Replacing a large, experienced senior class,” he said.  (It was a class of 24 seniors.)

Fortunately for the Panthers, they do return 3 players on the offensive line with meaningful experience. Kendrick Harvey, Richard Sims and Chris Robinson. The Cougars averaged 238 yards per game on the ground in 2017, and in order to repeat those stats, Harvey Sims and Robinson will need to duplicate the success of last season.

While the team losses their leading rusher Ty Lucas to graduation, they do return their second leading rusher, quarterback Deandre Masten (568 yards rushing) and Kyjuan Harris (367 yards rushing) this season. Senior fullback Josh Geleney is a player that is poised to step up as well in the backfield for the Panthers.

 

 

 Defensively, the team graduated their leading tackler, Malic Bonner but do return defensive end Jontavus Walker who recorded 23 tackles, (including 4.5 sacks) and defensive backs Devion Dotson (59 tackles) and Nakia Delaine (29 tackles.) Dotson and Delaine also combined for 3 interceptions in the secondary in 2017.

Coach Fowler will be guarding against complacency for his young Panthers.

Fowler said “(success will be defined) by not being content with the success of last season”.

While the region games are extremely important, you can believe the Panthers are looking forward to their match-up with rival, Marion County on August 24th. It will be intriguing to see if Chattahoochee County can fill those voids and pick up where they left off last season.

 

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Central (Talbotton) Football Preview

Posted on August 4, 2018 by admin

 

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Cedric Stegall begins his third season as the head coach for the Central High Hawks. Coach Stegall’s Hawks increased their win total and statistical categories from a year ago. This season the Hawks biggest challenge is perhaps creating depth on both offense and defense. Like many smaller schools across the state, the Hawks will feature several player that play both ways.

Treymore Walker returns as the starting quarterback for the Hawks Walker. Walker was a Second Team All-Region Selection who passed for 990 yards and 13 TDs. He was also second on the team in rushing. Sophomore Arkevious Leonard is projected to get the bulk of the work at running back. He was tied for first last season in yards per carry at 5.7. Martavis Barber will anchor the offensive line.

 

 

The aforementioned Barber will also anchor the defensive line as well. Barber garnered Second Team All-Region honors in 2017. He will be joined by returners Arkeviosu Leonard at defensive back and Kanin Searcy at linebacker.

We asked Coach Stegall if there was any game that was circled on the calendar. He said that Manchester was a big game. The Blue Devils have been the measuring stick for Region 4 over the last few years.

Coach Stegall told us that,” a winning season,” will be how the team defines success this year.

 

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Gordon Central Football Preview

Posted on August 3, 2018 by admin

The Skinny

Coach Cory Nix begins year two as he continues his rebuilding up in North Georgia for the Gordon Central Warriors. Last season, the Warriors had their best season in terms of wins since 2012. Gordon Central still has a tough road ahead. Their region includes some of the AA powers such as Chattooga, Pepperell and Rockmart. We asked Coach Nix what would be the teams biggest challenge they faced this season.

He said, “Making sure my team is one. Our motto for the season is We over Me.”

Coach Nix will be leaning on players such as Dawson Lackey, Alex Abat and Nelson Gravitt to lead the Warriors on offense.  Lackey was a First Team All-Region selection in 2017 for the Warriors. Alex Abat returns to the backfield as the teams most experienced returning back. He and Nelson Gravitt (QB) are projected to lead the team in the backfield.

Other players that could be poised to contribute for the Warriors this season are backs Peyton Parker, Isaiah Wilborn, JoJo McDaniels and Carlos Escobar.  The Warriors also return two First Team All-Region linemen in Abraham Reyes and Luis Castillo.

Reyes will also line up on the defensive line and should be an anchor there for the Warriors. Other contributors at linebacker could be Christian Davis and John Victor Rainwater.

 

We asked Coach Nix if what games if any, are circled on the schedule.

“As far as rivalry games our scrimmage game against Sonoraville is a big one because of location and it’s our county rivalry, but on the other hand it’s just a scrimmage,” he said.

“To be honest with you every game this year on our schedule is circled because we are out this year to earn respect each and every week. This is year two for me and the culture change that is taken place at GC. We are excited about everything we have done this off-season and all the talent that is returning. “

Speaking to that culture change Coach Nix mentioned when we asked about rivalry games; we asked Coach Nix what success would look like in year two.

“Of course as far as our society goes we are going to be judged on our wins and losses as a team, but I want to define our team success based on how we improved each week in all three phases of the game. Also I think our success will be based on if we left it all on the field each time we went out there on Friday Nights. Off the field our success will be determined by how we served others and how we did in the classroom,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

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Thomasville Bulldogs Football Preview

Posted on August 3, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

 

The Thomasville Bulldogs are a team that is steeped in Georgia high school football tradition. The Bulldogs have won 5 state titles in their storied history. Last season, Coach Zach Grage led Thomasville on their deepest playoff run in seven years. Coach Grage knows he and his staff have a couple of new challenges this season.

He said, “Not being complacent after a good 2017 season, and finding a kicker,” are two of the biggest challenges going into the 2018 season.

While Coach Grage battles complacency and is shoring up the kicking game, the offense returns quite a bit of experience from last season. Starting up front, linemen Javonte McGriff, Larry Williams and Tevin Rayford return. Last season, they helped pave the way for 191.6 yards per game average on the ground.

Tan Gelin looks to be the primary beneficiary of that returning offensive line. Gelin was second on the team in rushing in 2017 with 771 yards and 12 TDs. Meanwhile, Junior Kevin Cochran was electrifying last season. He led the team in receiving yards (879) and receiving touchdowns (8),  and garnered Second Team All-State honors.

Jay Tillman is the heir apparent at quarterback for the Bulldogs. However, whoever wins the job will have some big shoes to fill as Thomasville passed for over 2,800 yards last season as a team.

 

 

 

 

Other weapons on offense for Thomasville include running back Ma’lek Miller and receivers Sammy Morrow, Trey Florence and KD Johnson.

The Bulldog defense will be paced by First Team All-State selection Karey Lee at defensive back and All-State Honorable Mention Marc Davis on the defensive line.  Davis led the team in tackles while Lee picked off eight passes last season.

Chris Monroe joins Davis as an experienced lineman and Sedrick Robinson and Jeremiah Powell look to lead the linebackers. Jashawun Thornton (linebacker) and Payten Singletary (DL) are also projected to have an impact for Thomasville on defense.

It comes as no surprise that two of the biggest games on the schedule are longstanding rival Thomas County Central and region rival, Brooks County.

The goals are big for the Bulldogs. We asked Coach Grage how success would be defined this season.

He responded by saying, “Winning a state title.”

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Conversations with Coaches – Episode 10 – Chad Phillips – Starr’s Mill Panthers

Posted on August 3, 2018 by admin

The Starr’s Mill Panthers advanced to the 3rd round of the State Playoffs last season before falling to eventual State Champion, Rome. Coach Phillips had a veteran team last season. So it’s no surprise that Coach Phillips said, “Replacing all the veteran skill players from a 2 time region champion team,” is one of the biggest challenges for the Panthers this season. Coach Phillips talks to us about the upcoming season and how the Panthers are preparing for this season not only on the field but also in the community. You can listen here for the full interview:

 

 

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