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.”

 

Posted in 2-A, 2019 Pre-Season Previews | Tagged | Leave a comment

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

Posted in 2019 Podcasts | Tagged | Leave a comment

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.”

 

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

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.”

 

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

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.”

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

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

Lovett Lions 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

          The Skinny

 

Head coach Mike Muschamp begins his 15th season at the helm for the Lovett Lions. Lovett has never missed the post-season under his guidance. As the Lovett enters the 2019 season, we asked Coach Muschamp what his biggest challenge was this season.

“We must find some depth up front on both sides of the ball. Also, replacing 2 Division I signees will be hard to do,” he said.

While the Lions will be looking for depth along the offensive line, they have the luxury of returning starting QB Blaine McAllister.  McAllister, an All-Region selection in 2018, passed for 1,771 yards and also rushed for 461 yards with 24 total TDs.

Muschamp added, “Blaine McAllister has had a great off season. I’m excited to see how he performs.”

Henry Beery will look to play a bigger role in the ground game with the graduation of KJ Wallace.

 

 

Meanwhile on defense Colin Goldberg returns to the secondary. Goldberg was second on the team in total tackles last season and also intercepted 3 passes. The Lions will lean on him to become a leader in the secondary.

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

He said, “GAC (Greater Atlanta Christian), because it is the first one we play.”

How will the Lions define success this season?

Muschamp said, “Our goal is the same every year. We want to be playing the best football this group can when the end of the season comes, hopefully sometime in December.”

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

Jefferson Dragons 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

        The Skinny


Coach Gene Cathcart begins his 3rd season as head coach for the Jefferson Dragons. Coach Cathcart has had success in his previous stops during his career and has had the Dragons in the playoffs in his first two seasons. We asked Coach Cathcart the biggest challenge he and his staff face coming into 2019.

“The biggest challenge for the upcoming season will be finding the proper roles for a number of talented players who could contribute to the team. The pieces are all there; it’s just a matter of putting all the pieces together,” Cathcart said.

Some of the talent that Coach Cathcart eluded to includes quarterbacks Colby Clark and Carter Stephenson. Stephenson was an All-Region selection last season for the Dragons. Fullbacks Kade McNally and Paxton Corkery return for the Dragons . Corkery was an All-Region selection as well. He averaged 5.7yards per carry.

Donsha Gaither will also line up in the backfield for the Dragons. Gaither was second only to Colby Clark in rushing yards in 2018 with 515 and 7-TDs. Mason Ware (2018 All-Region selection) and Hurst Young will anchor the Dragons offensive line.

 

 

On defense, Corkery, McNally, and Clark will play both ways for the Dragons at linebacker, but it was Rem Maxwell who garnered All-Region honors at the position in 2018. Nick Evans returns in the secondary for the Dragons.

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

Cathcart said, “Some big games for Jefferson this season are at defending region champion Monroe Area and at region rival Hart County. We also start the season by hosting local rival Oconee County. “

So, how will the Dragons define success this season?

Cathcart said, “Success for Jefferson this season will be judged for continuously improving throughout the season and being in a position to compete for a region championship.”

 

 

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

Islands Sharks 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

          The Skinny

 

Robert Zoller begins his 5th season as the head coach for the Islands Sharks. Islands is coming into their 6th year of varsity football. We asked Coach Zoller what his team’s biggest challenge is entering the 2019 season.

“Cohesiveness and getting our guys to trust and believe in the scheme,” he said.

The Sharks offense will be anchored by linemen Jashad Royals (2018 All-Region selection)  and Chris Brown, while  Greg Pinkney Jr. and Dalton Singletary will provide depth at wide receiver.

 

 

Meanwhile, on defense the Sharks return a pair of All-Region selections in Mike Robertson and James Shellman. Robertson is a Power-5 prospect . Shellman has also picked up offers from Power-5 schools.

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

“All region games, every week is important to our success,” he said.

How will the Sharks define success this season?

Zoller responded, “Getting better, Growing as a team, and getting more players in college.”

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

Haralson County Rebels 2019 TFR Football Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

  The Skinny

 

Coach Scott Peavey begins his 3rd season as head coach for the Haralson County Rebels. In 2018 the Rebels had one of their best seasons on the field in over 10 years as they won eight games and advanced to the state playoffs for the 4th time in school history. We asked Coach Peavey what his teams biggest challenge is coming into the season.

“Skill development,” he said.

All-Region offensive lineman Beau Chaffin returns to anchor the line for the Rebels. Clay Hyatt looks to be set to run the offense at quarterback while Marc Harris will have a chance to make in impact on offense at running back.

 

 

Defensively,  All-Region defensive end Trey Lovelace will anchor the Rebels front line. Lovelace was also recently named to the Recruit Georgia pre-season All-State team. The aforementioned Chaffin will also play on the defensive line for the Rebels while Antonio Crapp will look to make an impact at linebacker.

We asked Coach Peavey if there were any games circled on the schedule for the Rebels.

“LFO (Lakeview Ft. Oglethorpe) and Calhoun,” he replied.

How will the Rebels define success this season?

Peavey said, “Winning playoff games.”

 

 

 

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