Riverside Military Academy Eagles 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

       The Skinny

 

Nick Garrett returns for his third season as the head coach of the Riverside Military Academy Eagles. Last season, Coach Garrett led the Eagles to their first playoff appearance since 2009. We asked Coach Garrett what his staff’s biggest challenge was coming into this season.

He said, “Putting together another varsity roster.”

The Eagles lost a lot of pieces from a team that went to the 2nd round of the playoffs a year ago.

Camron “Shad” Dabney is the leading returning player for the Eagles at the skill positions. Dabney caught 33 passes for 686 yards and 4-TDs in 2018. Meanwhile, the offensive line will be anchored by Lamar Gordon, Lauren Wylie Mcdonald, and Yaoxiam Ling.

 

 

Dabney will also double as a defensive back for the Eagles. Last year, he garnered All-Region honors after picking off 4 passes with several more deflections in the Eagles secondary. Dabney will be joined in the secondary by Jordan Thomas and Sean Whitley.

Nicholas Haley returns for the Eagles at linebacker while the Eagles defense will be anchored by Christian Pearson and Lamar Gordon.

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

“All of them,” he said.

How will the Eagles define success this season?

Garrett responded, “Our success will be built and excited by the leadership on our team.”

 

 

 

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Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

        The Skinny

 

Greg Vandagriff is back at the helm for his 4th season as head coach for the Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines. He has now lead the Wolverines into the semi-finals for three consecutive seasons. We asked Coach Vandagriff about the biggest challenges his staff will face as they prepare for the 2019 season.

“Replacing 3 dynamic WR’s and DB’s,” he said.

The Wolverines do however return starting quarterback Brock Vandagriff. Last season, Vandagriff was an All-Region selection and passed for over 3,100 yards with 28-TDs. Vandagriff also rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 23 rushing TDs. Only entering his junior season, Vandagriff is already an Oklahoma commit.

While the leading receivers from a year ago are gone, Chas Scoggins and Zac Dyer are poised to step in help fill the void. Tyler Payne is back at running back. Last season he rushed for 426 yards and 8-TDs

 

 

Davis Ridings and McKay Melnick return as leaders for the Wolverines, both were All-Region selections a year ago. Ridings, a linebacker, led the team in total tackles and solo tackles. Melnick, a defensive back, was third on the team in total tackles last season.

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

He said, “Wesleyan and Athens Academy (two top 5 Teams).”

How will the Wolverines define success this season?

Vandagriff said, “Making it deep in the playoffs.”

 

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Landmark Christian War Eagles 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

         The Skinny

 

Mike Sherrard takes over as the head coach of the Landmark Christian War Eagles. Coach Sherrard comes to Landmark from California. The War Eagles have missed the playoffs the last two seasons. We asked Coach Sherrard what his biggest challenge was in year one.

“Moving to a new state (GA) with different off season rules,” he said.

The War Eagles return their starting quarterback, Jax Fisher. Brogan Korta was Landmark’s leading receiver last season and returns for his junior season. Korta was an All-Region selection in 2018. Kamau Hopewell is the team’s returning leading running back coming into 2019. Trey Bedosky, an All-Region offensive lineman returns to anchor the offensive front.

 

 

On defense, the aforementioned Korta will play safety and linebacker Ryan Zeigler return to help lead a defense that graduated their top tacklers from a year ago.

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

“Trinity,” he said.

How will the War Eagles define success this season?

“Getting better each week and building a winning culture,” said Sharrard

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Hancock Central 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 Blount Here: Hancock Central Bulldogs Podcast

 

         The Skinny

 

In 2018, head coach Marleau Blount guided the Hancock Central Bulldogs to the team’s first playoff appearance since 2012 and the first winning record since 2006. With the success the Bulldogs had last season, we know the expectations tend to be a little higher. We asked Coach Blount about the biggest challenges he and his staff faced coming into this season.

He said, “Administrative Stability.”

Even with those challenges Coach Blount was optimistic about the team.

“The entire offense is returning and there are several players who will do more this year,” Blount added.

Among those returners on offense are quarterback Jaylon Hatcher. Last season, Hatcher passed for 1,386 yards with 14-TDs. He will be joined in the backfield by junior Keveon Robbins who rushed for 1,376 yards and 8-TDs in 2018. The Bulldogs also return their top three receivers from a year ago in Carmichael Allen (20 catches, 375 yards), Jamarcus Morris (17 catches, 269 yards), and Jamal Taylor (20 catches, 202 yards).

Upfront, Jamerrious Moore will anchor the offensive line. All Region selection Mondrecus Hendrick will also add depth and provide leadership up front.

Defensively, the Bulldogs return All-Region selections Qeontavious Ivey, Marquavious Lawrence, Tony Butts. Ivey is the team’s leading returning tackler, while Lawrence was one of the sack leaders from a year ago. Tony Butts will anchor the defensive line. He was top 5 in tackles for Central a season ago.

Jamal Taylor and Jamarcus Morris will be back patrolling the secondary along with Carmichael Allen. The trio picked off 7 passes a year ago.

The Bulldogs don’t have any games circled on their schedule. They are looking to take it one game at a time.

So, what are the expectations that Coach Blount has for his team this season?

“This is the fourth year of our process to build a program,” he replied. “This year will prove that we have arrived as a single A contender.”

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Greenville Patriots 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

 

**Incase you missed it, you can check out our podcast interview with Coach Wynn Here: Greenville Patriots Podcast

 

          The Skinny

 

Tyler Wynn will take over as the new Head Coach for the Greenville Patriots. Wynn spent the last 4 seasons as the head coach of the River Ridge Knights in Woodstock. As Coach Wynn begins at Greenville, we asked what the biggest challenge that he and his staff faced this season.

“Establishing a new culture with different expectations, demands, and procedures for the players,” he said.

The Patriots will have a quit a few skill players returning from last season’s team. They include running backs Staci Murrah, Denzel Hall and Devonyhea Robinson as well as quarterback Tyler Steverson.

 

Defensively, All-Region selection Kanstin Brooks will anchor the front line. He is a load at 6’2” 270 pounds and will be a great piece for Coach Wynn to build his defense around. Chanler Neal is another defensive lineman that should complement Brooks.

We asked Coach Wynn if there were any games circled on the schedule this season for the Patriots.

“Lamar County,” he said, “Game 1.”

How will the Patriots define success this season?

“Wins will matter,” he said, “but improving every week through the season.”

 

 

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Fellowship Christian Paladins 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

               The Skinny

 

 

Coach Al Morrell begins his seventh season as head coach at Fellowship Christian. Coach Morrell has taken the Paladins to the playoffs over the past three seasons including a finals appearance in 2016. We asked Coach Morrell what his biggest challenge was coming into the season.

“Keeping the team healthy,” he said.

The Paladins return a trio of talented skill position players on offense. Murphy Reeves rushed for over 1,700 yards and 18-TDs in 2018; Lawson Haigler rushed for 665 yards and 5-TDs.;  and Jordan Brewer, the team’s leading receiver with 40 catches for 626 yards. Coach Morrell will lean on Charlie Patterson to help anchor the offensive line.

 

 

Defensively, All-Region selection Caleb McClung returns for the Paladins at linebacker. McClung was first on the team in solo and total tackles a year ago. He will be joined by the aforementioned Haigler and Nathan Nardone. Nardone was second on the team last year with 95 total tackles.

We asked Coach Morrell if there were any games circled on the schedule this season?

“Mt. Paran,” he said.

How will Fellowship Christian define success in 2019?

Morrell said, “Improve each week and hopefully make it deeper into playoffs.”

 

 

 

 

 

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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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