Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Lance Helton is now in his third season as head coach for the Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets. Coach Helton has led the Yellow Jackets to the post season in both of his previous seasons. As the 2019 approaches, we asked Coach Helton what the biggest challenge was this season.

“(Our) tough and competitive region,” he said. “(and) Replacing multiple starters.”

The Jackets return two All-Region performers on the offensive line, Jaylen Grady and Christian Ray. They will be tasked with creating running lanes for Jashaun Kirby and Austin Wood. Both backs were All-Region selections in 2018 along with All-Region QB, Britt Metts.

 

 

Defensive leaders returning for the Jackets are Jaylen Grady along the defensive line, Tre Chandler at linebacker and safety Cade Walters.

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

“Every Region Game in 2-AA,” he said.

What will a successful season look like for the Jackets?

Helton said, “Treating the game of Football the right way, and win or lose representing Jeff Davis County the right way.”

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Lamar County Trojans 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

        The Skinny

 

Jeff Sloan takes over as the Head Coach for the Lamar County Trojans. The Trojans had a run of 8 consecutive playoff appearances snapped in 2017. We asked Coach Sloan what his biggest challenge is coming into year one.

“Making sure that we take each day as a challenge to continually improve and only worry about the things that we can control,” he said.

The Trojans return several players at the skill position from last season. Both quarterbacks Grayson Jett and Devin Bateman return for 2019. They will be joined by receivers, Joey Stratton and Keilyn Tyus as well as fullback KT Brownlee. Meanwhile, Daniel Dinkins returns to help anchor the offensive line.

The defense returns several players with experience. Up front the line will be led by Bryce Boland, Aderrius Barron and Josh Wright. Linebackers Cory Young, Donovan Sanford and Stephon Manuel are all expected to have an impact at the position. Dre Blackmon and Grayson Jett will be called upon to lead in the secondary for Lamar County.

 

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

“The next game” he said, “so at the moment, that is our first game vs Mt. Zion.”

We asked Coach Sloan what a successful season will look like for the Trojans.

“We are in a growth phase in our program and how fast we are able to grow will largely be determined by how we perform this season. Our success will be determined by whether or not we are able to continue in our growth,” he said.

Sloan ended by saying, “With that being said we want to maximize the experience for our Seniors this year, so to say that we are not trying to make the playoffs, Win a Region/State Championship this year is a gross understatement. We have high expectations for our season and our working hard to make sure that we can realize those goals.”

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Hephzibah Rebels TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

**Incase you missed it, you can check out our podcast interview with Coach Harrell Here: Hephzibah Rebels Podcast

 

            The Skinny

 

The Hephzibah Rebels are coming off of a historic football season. The team won a school record 8 games and advanced to the state playoffs for only the 5th time in school history. So when we asked Coach William Harrell what the biggest challenge of 2019 is it’s no surprise when he said

“Replacing a historic-setting Senior class who won a school-record 8 games last season.”

One of those seniors was running back Rayquan Riley. The Rebels will be looking to replace Riley’s 1,600 yard, 20-TD season. Marshall Chambers does return at QB for his junior season. He and wide receiver E’Shawn Mayes will look to lead the charge for the offense this season. Mays was 2nd on the team in receptions and first in receiving yards in 2018.

 

 

The Rebels return two of their top tacklers in lineman Elijah D’Antignac and safety Enoch Howard. D’Antignac was second on the team in sacks with 5.5. Joining Howard in the secondary is Ronald Coleman. Coleman picked off 4 passes from his corner position and also made an impact on special teams with a blocked punt and 2 blocked field goals.

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

“Both scrimmages and all 15 games,” he said.

When asked how success would be defined for the Rebels this season, Harrell replied,

“In addition, setting a new Standard: defeat Butler (Augusta), win the Region Title, and make a Playoff Campaign (minimum Quarterfinals appearance).”

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Chattooga Indians 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

          The Skinny

 

Coach Charles Hammon has led the Chattooga Indians into the post season in all of his 5 previous seasons at the Summerville School. We asked Coach Hammon about this season’s team and what’s the staff’s biggest challenge.

“Offensive line depth,” Hammon replied.

Dez Jones will anchor the offensive line for the Indians. Running behind Jones will be sophomore Shawn Lester. Last year, Lester rushed for 1,015 yards and 15-TDs as a freshman and garnered an All-Region selection. We expect to see his work load increase this season as the backfield will be a little less crowded.

 

 

On defense, All-Region linebacker Jacoby Cotrell returns for the Indians. He led the team in solo tackles and total tackles last season. Along the line of scrimmage, PJ Smith and Luis Medina will anchor the front while Dylan Woody and Jamarious Mosteller return to patrol the secondary.

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

He simply said, “Rockmart.”

How will the Indians define success this season?

Coach Hammon said, “(by) making the playoffs.”

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Pepperell Dragons 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

 

**Incase you missed it, you can check out our podcast interview with Coach Hurst Here: Pepperell Dragons Podcast

 

 

            The Skinny

 

Head Coach Rick Hurst has led the Pepperell Dragons to the state playoffs in each of his first four season as head coach over in Lindale. We know that with success comes expectations and different challenges. We asked Coach Hurst what some of those challenges were this season.

“Keeping our players focusing on improving their game each day,” he said.

While Coach Hurst will have his hands full keeping his players focused, he does return one of the better quarterbacks in the region and perhaps in Northwest Georgia in Gage Moses. Moses was an All-Region selection in 2018 as sophomore. He passed for 1,373 yards and 16-TDs. Moses also rushed for 407 yards and 2-TDs.

The Dragons lose their top rushers from a year ago to graduation, but Josh Ross appears to be poised to step into that role this season. Meanwhile, All-Region receiver Payton Rhoades returns and will likely be one of the top targets of Moses. Rhoades caught 47 passes last season for 594 yards and 8-TDs. Dawson Duncan and Clay Crawford will anchor the Dragons offensive line.

 

 

Defensively, the Dragons most experienced unit might be their secondary. Defensive back Ryan Hurst, an All-Region selection highlights the unit. He will be joined by John Ross at safety and Tray Robinson at corner. Jake Chandler will provide experience at linebacker while Tyler Liggons will lead the defensive line.

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

“They are all important,” he replied, “but the Region Title could come down to our game with Rockmart High School.”

We asked Coach Hurst how the Dragons will define a successful season?

Hurst answered, “The level in which we improve weekly from game to game will give us a chance each week.”

 

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Trion Bulldogs – Conversations with Coaches – Featuring Coach Justin Brown

Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin

Coach Justin Brown and the Trion Bulldogs continued their winning ways last season, advancing to the second round of the Class A Public playoffs. This season the Bulldogs have to replace a lot of offensive production as they graduated several starters on both sides of the ball. Today, we talk to Coach Brown about the success they had last year and get his insights into the 2019 Trion Bulldogs.

 

 

 

Please feel free to share! Follow us on Twitter: @turdfurgesonrpt and on the web at turdfurgeson.com

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Ringgold Tigers 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

  The Skinny

 

 

Coach Robert Akins begins his 13thseason at the helm for the Ringgold Tigers. Coach Akins guided the Tigers back to the playoffs after a two-year absence. We asked Coach Akins what the teams biggest challenge is coming into the 2019 season.

“Creating a “real” team, not just talented individuals,” he replied.

The Tigers boast one of the biggest offensive lines with a lot of experience. Center Reid Williams, a UTC commit will anchor the offensive line along with  Scott Clinton, James Booth Bo Black and Will House. The offensive line will be charged with creating holes for the youthful duo of Price Pennington and Kori Domas. Receivers Malachi Hill and Dylan Wright will also be instrumental in the passing game for the Tigers.

 

 

 

The Tigers also return several players with experience on defense. Logan Pavlik will be looked upon to lead the defensive front. Meanwhile, the Tigers return linebackers Brandon Orman, Josh Lane, McCain Magnum and Seth Parker. Sam Milles and Brayden Broome will return in the secondary for Ringgold.

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

“North Murray,” he said.

How will the Ringgold Tigers define success this season?

Akins replied, “(Displaying) Mental and Physical toughness.”

 

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Redan Raiders 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

           The Skinny

 

 

Coach Rahman Sparks takes over as head coach for the Redan Raiders this season. Redan plays in a very challenging Region-5, which is home to the defending Class AAA state champion Cedar Grove Saints.

Offensively, the Saints will return their leading rushers in Jaquez Williams and Corey Mikel. Williams averaged 5.3 yards per carry a season ago. Quarterback Ali McDaniel also returns for the Raiders to lead the offense. Redan graduated three of their top four receivers so they will be looking for someone to fill the void.

 

Meanwhile, on defense, Redan will look to Christian Wilson and rising sophomore Marcus Abney to help steady the defensive line.

There are no particular games circled for the Raiders. They are taking things one game at a time.

When we asked Coach Sparks what a successful season would look like in year one, he said,

“Graduate ALL seniors.”

 

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North Hall Trojans 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Coach David Bishop is in his 5th season as head coach for the North Hall Trojans. Coach Bishop has had the Trojans in the playoffs for the last four years. We asked him what his biggest challenge was as North Hall opens the 2019 season.

“Filling QB and center on offense as well as 3 safety spots on defense,” he said.

The Trojans are a run heavy team; last season, they averaged almost 300 yards rushing per game. Much of the load this season will fall to junior J.T. Fair. As a sophomore, Fair rushed for 901 yards and 9-TDs. His efforts earned him All-Region honors in 2018. Clark Howell should also have an opportunity to factor into the run game this season.

Defensively, Luke Volle and Austin Sullens were All-Region selection in 2018. Volle led the team in interceptions with 3 in 2018. The aforementioned Fair will also see time at safety.

 

Dalton Battle is the Trojans leading returning tackler. He recorded 72 total tackles a year ago. The entire front four returns for the Trojans to also help steady the defense.

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

“Greater Atlanta and Dawson County,” he said.

These are the teams that most people expect to be on top of the region and are indeed a measuring stick in Region-7.

How will the Trojans define success this season?

Coach Bishop said, “By meeting our potential, we have a veteran squad returning but leadership is going to be the key to meeting it.”

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Lumpkin County Indians 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

          The Skinny

 

Coach Caleb Sorrells takes over for the Lumpkin County Indians. There is no doubt that  Sorrells will be looking to impress his idea of culture on the Lumpkin program. As he begins his journey, we asked Coach Sorrells what his team’s biggest challenge was.

“Culture change- kids will have to deal well with adversity & believe in what we are doing and IN EACH OTHER, even when it gets hard, if we lose, or when things go poorly,” said Sorrells.

Last season, the Indians were a run oriented offense. But most of that production has graduated. Coach Sorrells will have some pieces at the skill position to work with as they return starting QB Tucker Kirk and running back BoJack Dowdy.

We asked Coach about his starting QB and what he expects.

“(We run a) new offense that will allow him to showcase an arm and legs that were hidden last year,” he said.

 

 

On defense the Indians return All-Region selection Aaron Hopkins on the defensive line. Hopkins led the Indians in total tackles (63) and sacks (7) last year.

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

“The next one. Same answer every week!” exclaimed Sorrells.

How will the Indians define success this season?

Sorrells replied, “Getting the most out of our potential. Are we willing to sacrifice more than we ever have to achieve more than we ever have? One of our slogans is “Want more? Be more!” If we are willing to BECOME better young men (on and off the field) and set a high standard for our team, school & community, the W/L record will take care of itself. Success is measured by how faithfully we can live out our values, not whether those values translate into wins or losses.”

 

 

Posted in 2019 Pre-Season Previews, 3-A | Tagged | Leave a comment