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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Howard Huskies 2019 TFR Preseason Previews

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

           The Skinny

 

Last season, Coach Paul Carroll led the Howard Huskies to only the second playoff appearance in school history. The Huskies also matched the school’s best win total and also won the most region games in school history. We asked Coach Carroll what the biggest challenge is coming into year two.

“Making the young football team mentally tough,” he said.

The Huskies will return two of their top offensive weapons in running back Jeremiah Kelly (799 yards, 5-TDs) and Javarsia Meadows who rushed for 678 yards, caught 28 balls for 504 yards and had a total of 11-TDs. Both Meadows and Kelly were All-Region selections in 2018. Jaylon Clark is poised to take over at quarterback while Win Davidson is a big target for the Huskies at tight-end.

 

 

Howard lost a lot of production on defense. Their leading returning tackler is Keanu Blash. Last season Blash recorded 43 total tackles.

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

“(The) First Game,” he said. “Jones County.”

How will the Huskies define success this season?

Carroll said, “Playing hard, fast and together will define us. (If) we do this, we will win.”

 

 

 

 

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Eastside Eagles 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

     The Skinny

 

Coach Troy Hoff led the Eastside Eagles to their best season in school history in 2018. The Eagles won 12 consecutive games before being upended in the quarterfinals by eventual state champion, Blessed Trinity. While that success might be tough to duplicate, we asked Coach Hoff what his biggest challenge is in 2019.

“Developing younger, inexperienced players,” he said.

Hoff added, “We have a lot of guys that will be playing under the Friday night lights for the first time. Our challenge will be to continue to improve our level of play throughout the season.”

While there are several players that will be playing in big spots for the first time, the Eagles will return starting quarterback Noah Cook. Cook, an All-Region selection in 2018 passed for 1,845 yards, 25-TDs and just 3-INTs.

Colby Shivers is the team’s leading returning receiver, as he caught 20 balls for 363 yards and 4-TDs. Shivers was also an All-Region selection. Bryant Byrd (All-Region) and Pierce Downs will anchor the offensive line.

 

 

Linebacker Devin Brown is the Eagles leading returning tackler from a year ago. Last season he was in on 68 tackles. Senior Mark Jackson will anchor the defensive line while All-Region corner Jeff Haynes will patrol the secondary.

On Special Teams, Ezra king will take over the kicking duties. Last season he booted a team best 45 yard field goal and was 10 of 12 in extra points while backing up now graduated Kade Mote.

What games are circled on the Eagles schedule?

“All of them!” Hoff Said.

He continued, “I know it sounds cliché, but we take them one at a time. We open region play September 20, so that is a very significant game.”

So, how will the Eagles define success this season?

Coach Hoff said, “It is critical that we improve from week to week. This is especially important for this year’s team with so many players that will be on the field in significant roles for the first time.”

 

 

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Chapel Hill Panthers 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

       The Skinny

 

 

Coach Justin DeShon and the Chapel Hill Panthers have steadily improved in each of his previous 5 seasons at the helm. The Panthers play in an extremely competitive region, so that certainly does not help matters. We asked Coach DeShon what his biggest challenge was coming into the season.

He replied, “Depth.”

While the Panthers look to create depth early, there are some pieces to build around. Zaire Flournoy will return to anchor the offensive line. Flournoy has received interest from Appalachian State and Georgia State among others.

Imani Davis is the team’s top returning running back. Davis averaged 5.7 yards per carry in 2018. Elijah Brown should be one of the leaders at receiver as well.

Meanwhile on defense, Bradyn Swinson is the team’s top returning tackler. Swinson tallied 78 total tackles and a team leading 8-sacks. Swinson has received offers from UNC, Arizona State, Florida State and Oregon.

 

Other returners on defense of note are Shaheed and Rasheed Nurridin. The linebacking duo accounted for 6-sacks in 2018. They may also see some time at defensive line.

We asked coach DeShon if there are any games that the Panthers have circled this season.

“Every Region Game,” he said, “our schedule is extremely demanding.”

No one can deny that. With opponents such as Class 5-A Starr’s Mill, Class 7-A Newnan, and then Region foes such as Troup, Cartersville, Cedartown and Sandy Creek. There are really no holes in their schedule.

How will the Panthers define success this season?

Coach DeShon responded by saying, “Be the most physical team.”

 

 

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Cartersville Purple Hurricanes 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

      The Skinny

 

Conor Foster takes over as the head coach for the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes. Foster was most recently the defensive coordinator for the Canes. Over the past seven seasons, the Canes have been a legitimate title contender including to title victories in 2015 and 2016 and a finals appearance last season.

Perhaps easing the transition for the Coach Foster and the Canes coaching staff will be Tee Webb leading the offense as a senior. Webb, an All-Region selection and a Louisville commit, passed for 2,726 yards and 35-TDs in 2018.

Quante Jennings looks poised to step into the starting running back spot. Jennings rushed for 379 yards and 8-TDs last season playing behind the now departed (to graduation) Marcus Gary. Jonah Gambill and Matthew Surrett will anchor the offensive line. Gambill is a Memphis signee. Together these two helped pave the way for over 2,000 yards in the ground game.

 

 

 

The Canes return a host of experienced players on defense. In the secondary, Marko Dudley, Marquail Coaxum, Amarai Orr, Evan Slocum and Devonte Ross all return. This tandem should make passing against the Canes a difficult proposition.

Meanwhile La’Kwayme Jupiter headlines the defensive line, while Harrison Allen is back at linebacker. This group all returns to a defense that allowed 8.2 points per game last season, including four shutouts.

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

“Every game presents unique challenges and opportunities,” he responded.

How will the Canes define success this season?

Foster said, “Our goal is to build upon the rich tradition of Cartersville Football by leaving a legacy of championship performance on the field, in the classroom, and in our community.”

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Troup Tigers 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 15, 2019 by admin

 

 

 

**Incase you missed it, you can check out our podcast interview with Coach Glisson here: Troup Tigers Podcast

 

       The Skinny

 

Last season, head coach Tanner Glisson led the Troup Tigers to the state semi-finals. It was the second semi-final appearance in school history. Coach Glisson has guided the Tigers to the playoffs in each of the last 3 seasons. We asked him about the challenges entering the 2019 season.

“Meeting high expectations,” Glisson said.

Certainly after last year’s run in the state tournament the team and community have high hopes for this season as well.

The Tigers will return Kobe Hudson under center this season. The Auburn commit and All-Region selection threw for over 3,300 yards and 32-TDs in the Tigers “fast break” offensive attack.  Hudson also led the team in rushing with 1,410 yards on the ground along with 18-TDs.

Joining Hudson in the backfield is senior running back Trey Williams. In 2018 Williams was 2nd on the team in rushing with 950 yards and 7-TDs. Mark-Anthony Dixon and Luke Purnell return as two of the Tigers top receivers.

 

 

The Tigers defense will be led by another All-Region selection in Andy Boykin at defensive end. Boykin is a Power-5 caliber defense lineman that should provide valuable experience upfront for Troup. Royce White will join Boykin on the line making a very formidable duo for Coach Glisson.

At linebacker, the Tigers will lean on Devon Hill and Jabralin Gooden, while Jace Goodwin should be one of the leaders in the Tigers secondary.

We asked Coach Glisson if there were any games circled on the schedule this year.

“Callaway, Cedartown, and Cartersville,” he said.

Callaway will be the first game and test of the season. Cedartown is a rivalry game. While Cartersville has been the team to beat in region play and has given Troup fits over the last few seasons.

How will success be defined by Coach Glisson and the Tigers?

Glisson simply said “Make it to the finals.”

 

 

 

 

 

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Pepperell Dragons – Conversations with Coaches – Featuring Coach Rick Hurst

Posted on August 14, 2019 by admin

Coach Rick Hurst joined us on the TFR’s Conversation with Coaches series recently.  Coach Hurst is in his 5th season at Pepperell where he has led the Dragons to the playoffs in his previous four seasons. Today we spent some time talking about the upcoming season including their talented young quarterback, Gage Moses. Join us as we talk Dragon Football with Coach Hurst.

 

 

 

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