Langston Hughes Panthers 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

 

**Incase you missed it, you can check out our podcast interview with Coach Williams here: Langston Hughes Panthers Podcast

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Daniel Williams takes over as head coach of the Langston Hughes Panthers. Coach Williams is only the second head coach in the school’s history as he succeeds one of his biggest coaching influences, Willie Cannon.

We asked Coach Williams what the biggest challenge is coming into 2019.

“Getting young players ready for Friday Night Lights,” he said.

There are many challenges within that preparation for certain. Coach Williams inherits a team that went 4-6 and missed the post season for the first time in 7 seasons.

The Panthers will have some returners at the skill positions this season on offense. They are headlined by junior running back Jamond Lee. Last season, Lee led the team in rushing with 507 yards. Rising Sophomore Antonio Martin was second on the team in rushing with 257 yards and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. They Panthers also return two quarterbacks in Zadrien White and Daniel Davis.

 

 

Defensively, Nate Dean will anchor the line. The junior is a load in the middle at 5’11” 322. Unterrius Bailey will return at defensive end. Last season he recorded 6.5 sacks.

The defense was an area of strength last season for the Panthers as they only gave up 12.7 points per game. If they can duplicate that success in 2019, we believe there is a good chance their win total will increase this season as well.

We asked Coach Williams if there are any games circled on the calendar this season.

“All (of) our region games,” he said.

How will the Panthers define success this season?

Coach Williams replied, “Making the playoffs.”

 

 

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Harrison Hoyas 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

            The Skinny

 

Coach Matt Dickman enters his 7th year as head coach for the Harrison Hoyas. During his tenure, the Hoyas have finished with no less than 5 wins each season and have qualified for the playoffs for the last three seasons. We asked Coach Dickman what his team’s biggest challenge is coming into the 2019 campaign.

“Preparing kids over the summer- things have changed- kids are pulled all directions now, “ he said.

He continued by saying, “Next- getting players to be all in for their teammates. Accountability.”

The Hoyas return quarterback Gavin Hall. Hall, an All-Region selection in 2018 passed for 1,323 yards and 12-TDs. Behind Hall in the backfield will be David Roberts, another All-Region selection. As a junior, Roberts led the team with 518 yards rushing and 10-TDs. He also caught 11 balls last season.

 

 

 

Jay Ziglor should help steady the Hoyas at receiver, last season he was an All-Region selection and is poised to improve on his production from 2018.

Defensively, the Hoyas return two All-Region performers in Ryan Smith at linebacker and Victor Pless in the secondary. Smith led the team in solo and total tackles (43 and 77 respectively); while Pless led the defense with three interceptions. Micaiah Bell could be in line for a big season for the Hoyas along the defensive line.

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

“All (of the) Region games,” he said.

How will success be defined by the Hoya program in 2019?

“(By) Staying healthy and staying accountable to their teammates,” Dickman responded.

 

 

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Gainesville Red Elephants 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

                The Skinny

Heath Webb enters his second season as head coach of the Gainesville Red Elephants football team. Last season, the Red Elephants continued an impressive streak of 19 consecutive post-season appearances. As Coach Webb begins this season, we asked him what some of his biggest challenges are.

“Overcoming a disappointing 2018 campaign,” he said.

The Red Elephants won two games last season, but as we mentioned before, still qualified for the playoffs. But Gainesville is a historic powerhouse and the expectations are always high for the Red Elephants.

On offense, All-Region lineman Jordan Williams will be a solid building block for Coach Webb to build around. Williams is a Georgia Tech commit. Elijah Ruiz should also be an impact player along the line this season for Gainesville.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Gionni Williams, who led the team in passing a year ago as a sophomore is poised to lead the Red Elephants again. Lenny Chatman, an All-Region selection a year ago, is the top-returning receiver in 2019. He led the team with 269 yards and 2 receiving TDs.

Defensively, look for Makius Scott to anchor the defensive line. Scott was a 2018 All-Region selection and has committed to South Carolina. Scott will be joined up front by up and coming sophomore, Khaliq Maddox. Ques Borders will also add experience at linebacker for the Red Elephants.

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

He simply replied, “The next one.”

How will success be defined by Gainesville this season?

Coach Webb said, “Getting back to the Gainesville standard.”

 

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Douglas County 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

 

            The Skinny

 

Johnny White is entering his 3rd season as head coach of the Douglas County Tigers. Coach White has taken the Tigers to the playoffs in both of the previous seasons. As Douglas County gears up for 2019, we asked Coach White what one of the biggest challenges he has for the upcoming season.

“Finding ways to keep the kids engaged in the everyday grind,” he replied.

The Tigers return Mike Oldfield at running back. Last season he was led the team in rushing with 522 yards and 6-TDs. Up front, Josh Beatty will anchor the offensive line.

The Tigers will also look for offensive production from Justin Franklin at quarterback while Travis Collier and Julien Jackson should be contributors at wide receiver.

 

 

Defensively, Monticello Edwards returns in the secondary for Douglas County. Josh Robinson returns to anchor the defensive line, where they Tigers will be looking for someone to replace the production of Mataio Soli’s 22.5 sacks.  Look for Robinson to get help along the line from Kyren Thomas as well. Travis Collier will also double as a defensive back which the Tigers will look to help shore up the secondary.

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

“Mays,” said coach White.

How will the Tigers define success in 2019?

“Staying healthy and practicing on Thanksgiving,” White replied.

 

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Alcovy Tigers 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

 

 

The Skinny

 

Jason Dukes begins his first season as the head coach for the Alcovy Tigers. Coach Dukes last coached at Lithia Springs and prior to that led the Alpharetta Raiders to four (4) consecutive playoff appearances from 2010-2013. As Coach Dukes takes the reigns, we asked him what were some of the challenges he and his staff faced coming into the season.

“(We’re a) Young team, teaching them how to prepare. Changing the culture of a program that has not experience much success historically,” he said.

While the Tigers will be young on offense, they do return their top two running backs from the 2018 season. Natorien Holloway and Andrae Robinson combined for over 900 yards rushing and 6-TDs. Sophomore MJ Stroud will look to take over at quarterback for Alcovy. Last season, Stroud appeared at receiver, catching 14 balls for 195 yards.

 

 

Defensively, La’Ken Nettles is the team’s leading returning tackler. Nettles netted 60 total tackles last season and also picked off 2 passes from his corner position. Nettles will be joined in the secondary by Adrian Robinson. Demetrius Thrower and Cameron Daniels will bring experience at linebacker.

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

“Newton, Grovetown, and Colquitt County,” he said.

How will success be defined by the Tigers?

Coach Dukes replied, “Competing all 48 minutes of every ball game.”

 

 

 

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Swainsboro Tigers – Conversations with Coaches – Featuring Scott Roberts

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

Coach Scott Roberts is in his 3rd season as the Head Coach of the Swainsboro Tigers. Last season the Tigers ran the table in Region 2-AA. Coach Roberts is looking to take his Tigers to the next level. The Tigers welcome back Region 2 player of the year, Kade Youmans back. Coach Roberts talks about what makes him special and gives us his thoughts on the 2019 Tigers and Region 2. Tune in now as we talk Swainsboro Tiger football on the TFR.

 

 

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Christian Heritage Lions – Conversations with Coaches – Featuring Jay Poag

Posted on August 11, 2019 by admin

Coach Jay Poag joins us on this episode of Conversations with Coaches. Last season was a big year for the Christian Heritage Lions as they turned things around from two seasons ago and got back to the playoffs. Christian Heritage returns most of their starters from a year ago, so could they be in line for another big season? Find out Coach Poag’s thoughts on his 2019 squad as he talk CHS football.

 

 

 

 

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

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Archer Tigers 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 11, 2019 by admin

 

 

 

                       The Skinny

 

Head Coach Andy Dyer has been at the helm at Archer High School since the first season in 2009. The Tigers have qualified for post-season play all but 3 of those years and last year, they advanced to their second semi-final appearance in the school’s short history.  While the fans and community might be growing accustomed to the success of the program, we asked Coach Dyer about the challenges coming into this season.

“Each year is brand new and takes on its own identity. The challenge is to get your team to grow and develop and reach their max potential,” he said.

The Tigers return a host of offensive starters from last seasons Final-Four run including quarterback Carter Peevy, who passed for 2,565 yards and 27-TDs. While Peevy’s leading target from a season ago has graduated, look for Trey Messer (22 catches, 409 yards, 4-TDs) and Andrew Dyer (20 catches, 154 yards, 1-TD) to play a more integral role in the passing game. The offensive line will be a strength for the Tigers as they return 3 starters in Ethan Lane, Derek Harden and Israel Mukwiza. Lane was an All-Region selection last season and has committed to N.C. State.

 

 

The Archer defensive line will be lead by DE Jalen Mayala. Mayala was an All-Region selection in 2018. Kameron O’Rourke returns at linebacker. Last season he led the team in total tackles. Tyler Roach will also give the team depth at linebacker while a pair of juniors Edwin Mangual and Jackson McCrary are back to lead the Archer secondary.

We asked Coach Dyer about players on this years team that could be headed for a breakout season. He responded by saying,

“I expect each one of my guys to do their part and contribute and make their team the best it can be.“

Regarding games that are circled on the schedule or rivalry games.

Coach Dyer said, “We take them one at a time.”

So for a team that has been in contention for a region title almost every season, what will success look like in 2019?

Coach Dyer said, “If our team takes Extreme Ownership of each of their jobs and they learn to work and prepare themselves for each Friday night. They must develop a love for one another and an appreciation for each of their teammates.”

 

 

 

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Berkmar Patriots 2019 TFR Preaseason Preview

Posted on August 11, 2019 by admin

 

            The Skinny

 

Head Coach Willie Gary begins his 2nd season as the Berkmar Patriots coach. Last season, Coach Gary led the team to 3 wins. Which while might not look impressive at first glance, but prior to last season Berkmar, had not won a game since it beat Shiloh in week 3 of the 2013 season.

Graduation hits many teams and the Patriots are no different. Berkmar will be breaking in a new quarterback this season in Julius Reynolds. Junior Jaron Ford will also see time in the backfield as well.  Perhaps the most experienced offensive threat for the Patriots is senior wide receiver A.J. Feliciano.  Feliciano was an All-Region selection in 2018.

 

The Berkmar defense will rely heavily on the linebacking group led by Nick Martin and Naseer Croskery.

We asked Coach Gary if there are any games circled on the calendar.

He said, “All (of them). One at a time.”

So we can bet that Berkmar won’t be looking ahead.

What will success look like for the Patriots?

Coach Gary simply responded by saying, “Compete every game and Team GPA.”

 

 

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Brookwood Broncos 2019 TFR Preseason Preview

Posted on August 11, 2019 by admin

 

                     The Skinny

 

The Brookwood Broncos have found themselves in the post season more often than not over the schools 38-year history. Last year the Broncos continued that trend and were narrowly edged in the first round by Mill Creek. However, the Broncos have graduated two relatively experienced senior classes from the 2017 and 2018 seasons so it was no surprise when we asked Coach Philip Jones what has biggest challenge coming into this season, he responded,

“Inexperience.”

On the offense line, the Broncos return a pair of All-Region performers in Aidan Perkins and Sean Hill. Hill has committed to NC State and Perkins is certain to play on Saturdays as well.  Running behind the line anchored by Hill and Perkins is All-Region selection, Eli Kohl. In addition to Kohl, Alexander Diggs and Niles Prince could see some significant action at the offensive skill positions.

 

 

The Broncos Defense is perhaps the more inexperienced of the units. Joel Seton will return to anchor the defensive line, but there is not much experience on the defense after him. Look for Diggs and Prince to play in the secondary and junior linebacker Trey Staley to help lead the way for the Broncos defense.

The rivalry games for Brookwood don’t change. We asked Coach Jones which ones were circled and you can’t talk about the Brookwood schedule without mentioning these two.

“Our 2 Classic Rivalries: Battle of Snellville vs. South Gwinnett, and Battle of Five Forks vs. Parkview,” said Coach Jones.

With all of the inexperience for Brookwood this season, how will the team define success?

“Success for us is always defined by the way we love each other sacrificially and by how we compete every single day to be our best,” Jones replied.

 

 

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