Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

         The Skinny

 

Coach Tim Hardy will enter his 8th season as head coach for the Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC) Spartans. The Spartans have won five consecutive region titles during Hardy’s tenure. We asked Coach Hardy what will be the biggest challenge in 2019.

“Every year is a challenge as you build the personality and culture of that year’s team,” he said. “We have a really good group of Seniors that I think will lead us well.”

Some of that senior leadership that Coach Hardy eluded to can be found in returners like running backs Tyler Bride and Montae Bailey. The two backs combined for 1,010 rushing yards and 10-TDs in 2018. Bride has committed to play at Georgia Southern.

Jackson Hardy will take over at quarterback full-time this season. A year ago, he threw for 791 yards and 10-TDs while splitting time with Josh Rose. Hardy is committed to the University of Richmond.

 

 

Christian Thomas should be one of the top receivers for the Spartans while Myles Hinton will anchor the offensive line. Hinton was an All-Region selection last season and is committed to Stanford.

On defense, Bride will see double duty at cornerback. A position that he was honored as an All-Region selection in 2018. Evan Byrd adds experience and will join Bride in the secondary.

Choe Bryant-Strother, another senior and All-Region selection, will be back at linebacker for the Spartans. Last season, Strother led the Spartans in total tackles. He has received interest from Power-5 schools as well.

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

“Prestonwood Christian,” he said.

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Cherokee Bluff Bears 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

The Cherokee Bluff Bears begin their second year of varsity football. Coach Tommy Jones has been charged with leading the young program in its infancy.  We asked Coach Jones what his biggest challenge was coming into the 2019 season.

“We are a second year school. Obviously, we are still a very young program,” Jones said.

While the program is young indeed, there are some pieces to build around. We asked Coach Jones about some of those players that the team will lean on this season.

 

 

 

“Jaylon Justice and Jacob Carlson  both caught over 30 balls last year,” Jones replied.

Regarding the defense, Jones added, “Garrett Davis and Brayden Nance are both key returning starters from last season.”

Coach Jones talked a little about the future of the up and coming program and the direction they are headed in.

“The future is extremely bright for Cherokee Bluff Football. All of the ingredients are in place for long-term success- community, administration, staff, support, etc… Our focus right now is building it on a solid foundation.”

 

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Coahulla Creek Colts 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

 

**Incase you missed it, you can check out our podcast interview with Coach Bagley here: Coahulla Creek Colts Podcast

 

                    The Skinny

 

Coach Caleb Bagley enters his 3rd season as head coach for the Coahulla Creek Colts. Last season, Bagley and the Colts broke the schools winless streak that extended back to 2015. We asked Coach Bagley what the team’s biggest challenge was in 2019.

“Breaking through the wall of having a winning season (school has never had one),” Bagley said.

The returners for Coahulla Creek did get to realize the joy of winning last season. Some of those returners include starting QB Cade Bates. Last season, Bates threw for 1,039 yards and 7-TDs.

The Colts also return their top two backs, Austin Hernandez and Titus Underwood who accounted for over 800 yards on the ground last season. The Colts offensive line will be anchored by Wade Wiggins and Dan Smith.

 

 

On defense, the Colts return linebackers Underwood and Boone Creswell. Jake Young is also back to anchor the defensive line.

When we asked Coach Bagley what games are circled on the schedule, he said,

“The Next game is the most important, so right now that is Northwest Whitfield.”

What will make 2019 a successful season for the Colts?

Bagley said, “If we compete and be the best version of ourselves every day.”

 

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Calhoun Yellow Jackets

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

              The Skinny

 

Coach Clay Stephenson takes over as the new Head Coach for the Calhoun Yellow Jackets. The Jackets have won 18 consecutive region titles and have not lost to a region opponent since October 19, 2001. We had a chance to ask Coach Stephenson what his team’s biggest challenge was in 2019.

“(The) depth chart,” he replied.

The Jackets will be looking for replacements at several key positions. On offense, look for Hudson Dyer to anchor the line for the Jackets. Meanwhile, Jake Morrow steps in at quarterback full time with the graduation of Gavin Gray.

 

 

Linebacker David Braden will be a leader on the defensive side of the ball. Braden was recently named to the Recruit Georgia Pre-Season All-State team in Class AAA. Kendez Griffin is also looking to assert himself along the Jackets defensive front.

The Jackets will get their season kicked off on August 22nd as they face the Ridgeland Panthers at Barron Stadium in Rome. Time will tell if Region 6 has closed the gap on the Jackets or if they will continue to assert their dominance over region foes.

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Brantley County Herons 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

       The Skinny

 

Geoff Cannon begins his second season as the Head Coach for the Brantley County Herons. Coach Cannon will be looking to continue the rebuilding process at Brantley County. Despite their record the Herons were only one region win away from qualifying for the state playoffs last season. Coach Cannon returns some pieces to build off of in the 2019 season.

Quarterback Bradson Bowers will be back for his senior season. Bowers passed for over 1,200 yards in 2018 and 7-TDs. Gavin King will return to the backfield as well for the Herons. King led the team in rushing during his sophomore season. All Region selection Jessie Trent should be one of the top receivers again this year for Brantley County.

 

 

Meanwhile on defense, linemen Anthonie Lattany and Blaine Brantley will lead the way for the Herons. Last season both Lattany and Brantley were All-Region selections. Lattany’s recruitment has picked up this off-season as well. The Herons secondary will be led by another All-Region selection, Dawson Thomas.

We asked Coach Cannon how the Herons will define success in 2019.

He replied, “Win more than we did last year and make the playoffs.”

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Greenville Patriots – Conversations with Coaches – Featuring Coach Tyler Wynn

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

Head Coach Tyler Wynn takes over for the Greenville Patriots this season. He has a new set of challenges and opportunities moving from a 6-A school to a 1-A program. Coach Wynn talks about the move and let’s us in on some of the players down in Greenville that will help lead his team. Join Coach Wynn and I as we talk Greenville Patriot Football and preview the upcoming 2019 season.

 

 

 

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

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White County Warriors 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

 

 

              The Skinny

 

Head Coach Tim Cokely has led the White County Warriors to the playoffs in his first two seasons. The Warriors play in a region with the two-time defending state champs as well as perennial powers such as Marist and Flowery Branch and up and coming teams such as West Hall, Denmark and Chestatee. We asked Coach Cokely what his biggest challenge is coming into the season.

“Depth of the offensive and defensive line,” he said.

The Warriors will lean on Devin Sullens to help on the offensive line while the team looks for depth at the position. Junior quarterback J Ben Haynes will be under center again this season with a year of experience under his belt. Last season Haynes passed for 1,351 yards and 9-TDs.

Haynes will have both of his top receivers back from a year ago in Cooper Turner (17 catches for 284 yards) and Will Sampson (21 catches for 276yards). Meanwhile Zion McMullen appears set to take over at running back. McMullen is a rising sophomore who averaged 4.7 yards per carry last season.

 

 

On defense, All-Region selection Greg Wilmer will be one of the leaders. Wilmer is the team’s top returning tackler from a season ago. He will be joined at linebacker by Jared Julian and Cory Ezzard.

Up front, Jaquez Williams will help steady the defensive line while Nix Burnett is one of the leading returners in the secondary.

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

He simply said, “All (of them).”

How will success be determined by the Warriors this season?

Cokely said, “Making a playoff run.”

 

 

 

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West Hall Spartans 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

**Incase you missed it, you can check out our podcast interview with Coach Montgomery Here: West Hall Spartans Podcast

 

 

            The Skinny

 

Head Coach Krofton Montgomery enters his second season as head coach of the West Hall Spartans. We asked Coach Montgomery what were some of the team’s challenges entering the 2019 season.

“Schedule and youth at key spots,” he replied.

While the Spartans are looking to get experience in key spots on offense, they welcome back junior quarterback Clayton Jenkins. As a sophomore, Jenkins passed for 961 yards and 9-TDs while splitting time at QB. The teams top rusher, Solomon Riley returns for the 2019 season. Riley averaged 5.7 yards per carry and 5-TDs last season.

Junior, Rodrigo Lopez is the team’s leading returning receiver. Lopez caught 13 balls a year ago and looks to play a larger roll this season with the graduation the team’s top two receivers in 2018.

 

 

The Spartan defense welcomes back Cade Collins at linebacker. He is one of the their top returning tacklers. He will be joined at linebacker by Nick Strum who should have opportunities to make an impact for West Hall on defense. Logan Ormerod will anchor the defensive line for the Spartans.

We asked Coach Montgomery if there were any games that were circled on the calendar this season.

“Johnson (Gainesville),” he replied.

How will the Spartans define success this season?

Coach Montgomery said, “Continued improvement and consistency.”

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Salem Seminoles 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Jarrett Laws has led the Salem Seminoles to back-to-back playoff appearances. The team has steadily improved their win total over Coach Laws first three seasons. We asked Coach Laws about the challenges that 2019 presents for his Seminoles.

He replied, “Overcoming youth and inexperience.”

If there was any question about that inexperience, the Seminoles lost their starting quarterback, starting running back and all of their top receivers to graduation a year ago.

The top-returning starter on offense for the Seminoles is sophomore William Sheppard III. Last season, Sheppard rushed fro 414 yards on 66 carries and scored 4-TDs.

 

 

Meanwhile, the story is no different on defense. The team loses most of their returning tacklers from a season ago, with the exception of Jamel Goulbourne. In 2018 Goulbourne tallied 72 total tackles at linebacker for the Seminoles.

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

“All of them,” he said, “(we are) too young and inexperienced to single out anyone.”

How will Coach Laws and the Seminoles define success this season?

Coach Laws replied, “Maintain our playoff streak.”

 

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Marist War Eagles 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

             The Skinny

 

Coach Alan Chadwick has been patrolling the sidelines for the Marist War Eagles for the last 34 seasons. Marist has had unprecedented success during his tenure and have never missed post-season play during his time as head coach. With all of the storied history of the Marist program in mind, we asked Coach Chadwick what this season’s biggest challenge is.

“Replacing our entire front 4 on DL. As a group last years group was the best we have ever had,” Chadwick said.

That’s high praise coming from Coach Chadwick. Derek McDonald is probably the most experienced of the defensive linemen returning. Last season, McDonald was in the top-10 on the team in total tackles as a sophomore.

The War Eagles will also look to another pair of junior linebackers in Tyler Hare and Gray Taylor to lead the defense, while Josh Moore  will lead the secondary. Moore was tied for the team lead in interceptions with three in 2018.

 

 

Meanwhile on offense, the War Eagles will return senior quarterback Connor Cigelske. Cigelske threw for 1,048 yards and rushed for 508 yards and accounted for 15 total TDs. Behind Cigelske will be Lincoln Parker at fullback. Parker was second on the team in rushing behind Cigelske with 412 yards and 9-TDs.

Davis McKenna and Steven Nahmias will anchor the offensive line for the War Eagles. Look for Derek Moore McDonald and Josh Moore to also help in the passing game as they should see time at tight end and receiver respectively.

When we asked Coach Chadwick if there were any games circled on the schedule, he said, “Blessed Trinity, Denmark, Flowery Branch.”

Those three teams appear to be the teams that will be vying for the top spot in region play.

How will the War Eagles define success this season?

Chadwick said, “Winning a State Championship. We have been too close too many times.”

 

 

 

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