McIntosh Chiefs 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 13, 2019 by admin

 

             The Skinny

 

Coach Lee Belknap enters his 9th season as the head coach of the McIntosh Chiefs. We asked Coach Belknap what his biggest challenge is in 2019 as the season begins.

“(An) inexperienced backfield,” he said.

Robert Clark will anchor the Chiefs offensive line. Andrew Villiger is one of the team’s top returning receivers while Matthew Allum will look to help carry the load in the backfield.

Defensively, lineman Jefferey Burnell and linebacker Nathan Anderson are leaders that Coach Belknap will look for to help steady the defense. Ben Anderson is also a player that could be in for a big year in the Chiefs secondary.

 

The Chiefs won’t be looking ahead this season. We asked coach Belknap if there were any games circled on the calendar.

“Game #1,” he said. “Mundy’s Mill.”

How will the Chiefs define success in 2019?

Coach Belknap said, “Improvement each day hopefully leading to a playoff birth.”

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Maynard Jackson Jaguars 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 13, 2019 by admin

 

      The Skinny

 

Coach Eric Williams begins his 16th season at Maynard Jackson High School. His Jaguars have reached the post-season in 4 out of the last 5 seasons. We asked coach Williams what was the team’s biggest challenge coming into the season.

“Replacing a very productive group of seniors,” he said.

The Jaguars top returning weapons on offense include quarterback Charles Daniel and receiver Marques Neal. Daniel, an All-Region selection in 2018 threw for 1,586 yards and 13-TDs. He also led the team in rushing with 865 yards and 4 rushing TDs. Neal’s stat line includes 17receptions, 212 receiving yards, 236 rushing yards with 5 total TDs.

Raveon Moore and Jaquavious Hines are poised to see more production at receiver for the Jaguars.

 

 

The Maynard Jackson defense will be headlined by the imposing front line, which includes Jalan Davis, Chris Newby and Quemetrice Cain. These three accounted for 11 sacks last season. DeShane London is the team’s top returning tackler while Quinton Davis and Jeremiah Rowe will be called upon to provide leadership in the secondary.

We asked Coach Williams if there were any games circled on the scheduled.

He simply replied, “Carver Atlanta.”

When we asked Coach Williams about success and how it will be defined by the Jaguars, he replied,

“Returning to the play offs for a third consecutive year.”

 

 

 

 

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Hiram Hornets 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 13, 2019 by admin

 

           The Skinny

 

Head Coach Pete Fominaya begins his 2nd season at the helm for the Hiram Hornets. As we have mentioned in other previews about Region-7, there are really no holes in the Hornets schedule. We asked Coach Fominaya about some of the challenges in 2019, (outside of the challenging schedule).

“Replacing seven starters on offense,” he said.

Jermaine Banks, the team’s leading receiver from a season ago is back for his senior campaign. Banks is probably the most experienced on the offense side of the ball.

The Hornets will look to Zander May to take over at quarterback while Malik Black should get plenty of opportunities at running back.

 

 

The Hornets defense is a little steadier than the offense, as they return lineman Charlie Sims and linebackers Josh Martin and Caleb Brewster. Brandon Maina should provide some additional depth on the defensive line, while Mahki Touray will be called upon in the Hornets secondary.

We asked Coach Fominaya if there were any games circled on the scheduled.

He said, “Hiram vs. East Paulding.”

When we asked Coach Fominaya about success and how it will be defined by the Hornets, he replied,

“How the new starters on offense grow and develop throughout the season.”

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Harris County Tigers 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 13, 2019 by admin

 

          The Skinny

 

Head Coach Jamie Fox is in his second season at Harris County. The Tigers were bitten by the injury bug most of last season, but did manage to qualify for the playoffs. We asked Coach Fox what some of his challenges are coming into this season.

“(The Region) 2 of the teams in our region played for the state championship!!!!” he exclaimed.

Those two teams, Bainbridge and Warner Robins played in one of the more entertaining games of the State Finals.

Returning for the Tigers under center is quarterback Davion Mahone. Last season he passed for 595 yards rushed for 410 yards and had 6 total TDs. All-Region selection Tailique Williams returns as one of the team’s top receiving threats.

Meanwhile, Coach Fox will be looking for a replacement for Cal’von Harris. Senior back Xavier Richmond and sophomore John Austin Cochran could be poised for big seasons as they run behind an offensive line anchored by Colby Dumas, Ealan Chapman and Spencer Gasaway.

 

 

Defensively, All-Region selection Nick Richey will anchor the line for the Tigers. Richey was 6th on the team last season in total tackles. Linebacker Edmund Whitaker is the Tigers  leading returning tackler. Javion Smith also provides experience at backer for the Tigers. In the secondary, Damon Willis and Josh Trice could be headed for big seasons.

What, if any, rivalry games are circled on the calendar for Harris County?

Coach Fox said, “We don’t have a natural rival, so we look at them all as being important.”

How will the Tigers define success this season?

Fox answered, “We have made the playoffs the last two years. Harris County has only made the playoffs 3 years in a row only once, 2012-2014. I think making the playoffs would be a great accomplishment 3 years in a row, since it’s only happened once in school history.”

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Carrollton Trojans 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 13, 2019 by admin

 

        The Skinny

 

Coach Sean Calhoun begins his 4th season as Head Coach for the Carrollton Trojans. The Trojans returned to the quarterfinals last season for the 3rd consecutive year; and have only missed out on post season play once in the last 30 years. With that tradition of success on the field, we asked Coach Calhoun what his biggest challenge was coming into the 2019 season.

He said, “Getting inexperienced kids ready.”

While Coach Calhoun and his staff get some of the inexperienced players ready, they do have some experience returning.

On offense, Myles Morris will return under center at quarterback. The Trojans also return their top two running backs from a season ago as Brandon Marenco (944 yards, 14-TDs) and Kodee Brewer (693 yards, 10-TDs). They will  look to duplicate their success on the ground from last season. Leading the way for these two backs is fullback Chase Sippola and on the line, Micah Moten will be looked upon to provide leadership.

 

 

Defensively, the Trojans return perhaps a few of the best linebackers in the state and some might argue the country. Senior Kevin Swint (a Clemson Commit) and Junior Chaz Chambliss led the team last season in tackles and sacks. They both appear on national recruiting lists and should be in for another big season. Jerius Edwards joins Swint and Chambliss to make for one of the most formidable linebacker groups in the state. Look for Cyrus McClure and Derrick Witherspoon to have opportunities to be leaders in the secondary for Carrollton.

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

He said, “Bremen Scrimmage (it is the first competition !)”

How will the Trojans define success in 2019?

Coach Calhoun responded, “Are we better at the end of the season than the beginning: on and off the field.”

 

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Walnut Grove Warriors 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

 

 

 

             The Skinny

Coach Robert Andrews enters his second season as head coach for the  Walnut Grove Warriors. The Warriors region includes traditional powers such as Buford and Clarke Central, so that schedule presents some challenges in and of itself. We asked Coach Andrews what the biggest challenge was coming into this season.

“Inexperience and depth are at the top of the list,” he said.

Coach Andrews gave us some insight on some of the players on his roster that could be in for a big year. Guys like Dylan Nunn (LB), Preston Little (WR/DB) and Adam Head (OL/DL) are in a position to shine for the Warriors this season.

 

 

“We have several players with the potential to have quality seasons,” said Andrews.

The Warriors will lean on Tyler Lester at running back early on, while the aforementioned Little and Colin Evon will be leaders on the defensive side of the ball.

There are no games in particular that are circled on the schedule for the Warriors. Just one at a time as the old cliché goes.

How will the Warriors define success this season?

Coach Andrews kept it simple, “Giving maximum effort.”

  

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Sprayberry Yellow Jackets 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

 

         The Skinny

 

Brett Vavra enters his third season as head coach for the Sprayberry Yellow Jackets. While last year’s win total may not reflect it, the Jackets were competitive in most if not all of the games that they played, taking playoff teams like Sequoyah and Harrison down to the wire. As the Jackets look to build on the success in 2018, we asked Coach Vavra what his biggest challenge was coming into the season.

“Preparing for a challenging schedule,” he said.

That schedule includes 5 playoff teams from a year ago.

The Sprayberry offense will rely on the experience of Cody Menzer along the offensive line and Josh Bush at running back. Bush is a shifty back who is dangerous out in space.

Jake O’Buck should also add depth on the offensive line while Damarion Owens is a physical back that could help form a formidable duo at running back for the Jackets.

 

 

Kyle Brown appears set to take over as starter under center, while Markus Stephens and Fatir Muhammad are poised to make an impact at receiver.

Defensively, the Jackets returns All-Region selection Marlon Krakue at linebacker. Krakue showed the ability to shed blockers and make plays in the backfield. He’s a player with a high motor and always seems to be around the ball.  Junior Christian Mergler is also poised to anchor the defensive line for the Jackets.

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

“Sequoyah,” said Coach Vavra.

How will Sprayberry define success this season?

Coach Vavra simply said, “Improvement from last year.”

 

 

 

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South Cobb 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

            The Skinny

 

Terry Jones begins his third season as head coach for the South Cobb Eagles. We asked Coach Jones about his team’s biggest challenge coming into 2019.

“Ourselves is our biggest challenge,” he said. “We have to learn how to work as a team first and the rest will take care of itself.”

South Cobb will be replacing most of their offensive firepower, which was lost to graduation. Ali Fard returns for the Eagles at running back. Fard rushed for 314 yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry. George Walker and Adebanji Bamidele will be called upon to anchor the offensive line.

Fard is also a top returner for the Eagles defense. He is the team’s top returning tackler.

 

 

 

Perhaps the strength of the Eagles defense will be on the line as they return several players with game experience including Bamidele, Trey Riley, Gerald Olarinde and Yuakies Lewis.

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

“The next game is what circled for us,” said Jones. “But Pebblebrook is one that high on my kids list. We have to get our trophy back from our cross town rival.”

How will South Cobb define success this season?

Jones replied, “Our success will be defined by how finish games and how we handle adversity.”

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Mays Raiders 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

 

              The Skinny

 

Coach Niketa Battle has lead the Mays Raiders to the playoffs on all 3 of his seasons at the helm. As the Raiders prepare for the 2019 season, we asked Coach Battle what the team’s biggest challenge is this year.

“Our Biggest Challenge is to get our offensive lineman Bigger, Faster, and Stronger,” he said.

While the Raiders work on improving the offensive line, they do welcome back some offensive fire power from last season. Tyree Nelson will return to the backfield. Last season, Nelson rushed for 681 yards and 8-TDs.

Meanwhile, Zaire Thornton (WR), Tavarious Carswell (WR) and two-way player JaQuari Wiggles (TE) should provide for a more than capable group of receivers to help stretch the field.

 

 

 

The aforementioned Wiggles doubles as one of the top defensive lineman in region 5-6A. He recorded 9 sacks last season for the Raiders. Linebacker Draveon Scott and safety Omari Drake return as two of the top tacklers from a year ago. Scott recorded 41 solo tackles while Drake netted 42. Durante Jones will add depth in the secondary for Mays.

We asked Coach Battle if there were any games circled on the calendar this season for the Raiders.

He replied, “All games are State Championship Games.”

How will the Raiders define success this season?

“Commitment to complete all of the smaller things to success,” said Coach Battle.

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Lee County Trojans 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Head Coach Dean Fabrizio had his Lee County Trojans clicking on all cylinders last season going undefeated and claiming their second consecutive state title in football. So after winning back-to-back titles, it should be no surprise how coach Fabrizio responded when we asked what is the team’s biggest challenge coming into this season.

“Avoiding complacency,” he said.

The Trojans have the luxury of bringing back Kyle Toole at quarterback. Last season, Toole passed for over 2,100 yards and 22-TDs with only 1-INT. Toole’s top receiving threat returns in junior Chauncey Magwood. Magwood led the team in receptions (27) and yards (453) last season.

 

 

 

 

James Hopson, the team’s third leading receiver from a year ago returns for his senior season. While tight end Parker Rogers and lineman Wing Green will add experience along the line of scrimmage.

Defensively, linebacker Baron Hopson will lead the way for a Trojans defense that surrendered a paltry 5.1 points per game last season. Last year’s defense also recorded 6 shutouts.

There are no games circled on the schedule for the Trojans. They just take each week one at a time. Certainly many teams will be gunning for the Trojans, but we believe they have enough talent to make another deep run into the playoffs this season.

 

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