Conversations With Coaches – Efrem Hill – Discovery Titans

Posted on August 9, 2018 by admin

The Discovery Titans are still a program in it’s infancy stage. The Titans will be playing only their 3rd year of varsity football. Coach Efrem Hill has been charged with starting the program from scratch. Coach Hill talked briefly about the biggest challenge as he and his staff prepare for the upcoming season. Tune in as we talk Titan Football.

 

 

 

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Allatoona Buccaneers Football Preview

Posted on August 9, 2018 by admin

The Skinny

 

Gary Varner begins his 11th season at Allatoona. Coach Varner has had the Bucaneers (Bucs) playing at a high level for all eleven seasons. Since starting region play in 2010, the Bucs have never missed the playoffs. They won a state title in 2015 and last season advanced to the 3rd round of the state playoffs. In spite of all of that success, Coach Varner told us about one of the biggest challenges his team will face in 2018.

He said, “breaking in new players to varsity competition.”

Danté Marshall returns at quarterback for the Bucs. As a sophomore in 2017, Marshall passed for 1,260 yards and 11 TDs. Joining Marshall in the backfield will be Daniel Parsons, as he looks to take over most of the carries. Parsons was tied for the eam lead in rushing touchdowns last season.

Fullback Mario Gambaccini also joins Parsons in the backfield. Gambaccin is a versatile back, who led the Bucs in receptions last season. Cameron Cook could also have an impact in the running game for the Bucs in 2018.

The receiving corps will be highlighted by tight-end Jaylan Williams and receivers Dawson Coltran and Asante Das.

 

 

Williams was a Second Team All-Region selection in 2017. Nick Lendeberg and Drew Lawrence will anchor the offensive line.

The Bucs lost Region 6-6A defensive player of the year Royce Francis to graduation. If there are any question marks for the Bucs, they would revolve around the defensive front. Returners on defense include Calvin Rucker (linebacker), Eric Carty (Linebacker/Defensive end), Cameron Carty (linebacker), Izaiah Taylor (Defensive Back) and AJ Thomas (Defensive Back).

Rucker, an All-Region Honorable Mention selection at linebacker, tallied 61 tackles and 7 sacks last season.  Both Thomas and Taylor earned All-Region Honorable Mention selections in 2017.

The Bucs have a very challenging non-region slate of games including a trip to Cartersville to open the season and a mid-season tilt with defending Class 2A champ, Hapeville Charter. While the team may be inexperienced at many positions, we certainly believe that the Bucs are one of the favorites to win the Region this year and could be primed for another run in the state tournament come November.

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Chattahoochee Cougars Football Preview

Posted on August 9, 2018 by admin

The Skinny

Coach Vince Strine guided the Chattahoochee Cougars back to the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. The Cougars finished third in the region behind Alpharetta and Centennial. The Cougars should be back in the mix with the return of some key players. However, Coach Strine addressed one of the biggest challenges he and his staff face going into the season.

“Keeping everyone focused on the Fall season and not get sidetracked with all of the 7v7 hype that summer tends to bring. Every day we have to get better with the purpose of playing great football in the Fall,” Strine said.

Coach Strine’s Cougars will get a boost with the return of  First Team All-Region running back Max Webb. We asked Coach Strine about his offense.

“Our OL is pretty much still intact from last season. Our RB, Max Webb rushed for nearly 1,300 yards last year, so I would say all of those things is pretty good to have return,” he said.

One of the key returners on the offensive line is Jake Green. Green garnered First Team All-Region awards in 2017.

Coach Strine also likes what he sees on defense.

“Our DL and Outside LB’s should be a strong point for us this year. We have some speed in our defensive backs as well. The defense is really going to have to play as a unit,” Strine said.

 

 

We asked Coach Strine about players that might be flying under the radar or poised for a breakout season.

“I think we have several guys that have worked really hard for a great season. Many times a guy has a breakout year and it comes completely unexpectedly,” he said, “our offense has been pretty good the past few years, and I really expect our Defense to have a great year.”

So what about games that are circled on the calendar for the Cougars?

“Game 1. I think it is really important to win your first game and build on that. We try really hard to keep our players focused on the first game, and then each one after that…One at a time. Too much can change week to week to worry about other games,” he explained.

Finally, we asked coach Strine how success would be defined this season.

He said, “We certainly want to build off the momentum of making the playoffs last year. Our succes comes in our progress and growth each week. We don’t want to be playing our best football week 1 and we want to continue to find new ways to challenge ourselves.”

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Grovetown Warriors Football Preview

Posted on August 9, 2018 by admin

 

 

** The link to our podcast interview with Coach Postell can be found here: Coach Postell Interview**

The Skinny

 

The Grovetown Warriors have reached the postseason in both of the prior two seasons under the leadership of Coach Damien Postell. The Auburn football product guided the Warriors to a 7-5 record last season that concluded with a second round loss to the eventual AAAAAA State Champion, Lee County.

It seems as if everything is trending upward for Grovetown. We asked Coach Postell about one of his team’s biggest challenges coming into this season.

“Finding depth at key positions,” said Postell.

On offense, the Warriors will lean on BaShon Morris and Mykel Santos to fill the void at receiver left with the graduation of Braxton Wharton and Emanuel Bryson.  On the offensive line, Coach Postell will look for leadership from lineman Trajen Graham.

Newcomer Jonquavous Brown looks to be primed to step into the starting running back role for the Warriors. One of the leaders making holes for brown on the offensive line will be Trajen Graham.

 

 

Defensive ends Simeon Barrow and Kyle Bryant will lead a defense that recorded 26 sacks and 22 QB hurries last season.  Jamir Malone will anchor the secondary for a defense that tallied 14 interceptions in 2017.

How would Coach Postell define a successful season for his Warriors in 2018?

“A winning season, winning our region, and making it past the 2nd round (of the playoffs),” he said.

Considering that Grovetown made the playoffs for the first time in school history in 2016, (Coach Postell’s first season) and advanced to the second round in 2017; a third round trip in 2018 seems like the next logical step.

In order to do that, perhaps they will need to knock of last season’s region champ, Evans. We know that that all games are important, but a game with Evans in the last week of the season could shape up to be a game that determines the region title.

 

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Lee County Football Preview

Posted on August 9, 2018 by admin

The Skinny

 

The Lee County Trojans claimed their first state title with a win over region rival Coffee.  Gone are the likes of  AAAAAA defensive player of the year, Otis Reese, fellow first teamers Ty Terrell (wide receiver), Griffen McDowell (offensive line) as well as other all-state selections Quin Geer (Linebacker), TJ Harris (Defensive Back) and Jase Orndorff (Quarterback). We asked coach Fabrizio what would be the biggest challenge going into this season.

“We have to realize that this is a new season. Last season’s state championship is over. With all the accolades and celebrations this off-season we have to refocus on this season.”, he said.

The Trojans will look to junior quarterback Kyle Toole to take over this season. Toole will have help from running back Shandarious Kimbrough and receivers Chauncey Magwood and Artavious Warren. Daveon Sanders is another player poised to have some opportunities to help the offense. Upfront, Griffin Carder, who was a second team all-state selection and a Georgia Southern commit, will anchor the offensive line for the Trojans.

 

 

There is no doubt, replacing a player like Reese on defense will be challenging, but the Trojans do return defensive backs Tay Mayo and DaShawn King. Upfront, defensive lineman Anthony Harvey returns for his senior season. While not a defensive player, kicker Austin Beaver, a first team all-state selection as a sophomore last season will certainly be a weapon that the Trojans can use to flip field position and put points on the board.

Coach Fabrizio said that the games that are most important are the region games. We completely understand that, as these are the games that determine if you get to the second season. While outsiders might be thinking the goal for Lee County is to get back to the state title game, Coach Fabrizio likes to keep it simple,

“We have the same goals as every year. Want to win as many games as we are capable of,” said Fabrizio.

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M.L. King Lions Football Preview

Posted on August 9, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Deante’ Lamar enters is second season as head coach of the M.L. King Lions. The Lions made post season appearances in 11 straight seasons but have not reached the playoffs in the last four seasons. Coach Lamar told us about one of his staffs biggest challenges coming into this season.

“The biggest challenge for the upcoming season has to be our depth,” he said.

While that seems to be a recurring theme throughout several programs, the Lions do have some pieces to build around on both sides of the ball. The Lions return starting quarterback Jacobi Haynes (662 yards, 7 TDs) and leading running back Marcellious Lockett (490 yards, 6TDs) for the 2018 season.

Antonio Smith will lead the Lions on the offensive line. As a junior last season, Smith was an All Region First-Team selection.

 

 

 

Defensively, Trezmon Johnson, (defensive back), and Jaden Wilkins, (linebacker), will pace the Lions.

While all of the region games are important to the Lions, the most significant might just be the rivalry game against the Stephenson Jaguars on September 28th.  (The Jaguars lead the series 8-4).

Not only should this be a competitive game on the field, but it will also feature two of the best bands in DeKalb County. (I can certainly attest to this as I’ve been in attendance at a couple of these matchups at Hallford Stadium.)

We asked coach Lamar how his team will define success this season.

“Success will be defined by continuous improvement throughout the season and finishing in the top 4 of our Region,” he said.

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Northgate Vikings Football Preview

Posted on August 9, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

 

Coach Mike McDonald begins his first season as head coach for the Northgate Vikings this season. McDonald previously led both Union Grove and Newnan to playoff appearances in his 11 seasons as head coach. McDonald and the Northgate staff will have a big challenge right away.

He explained, “Replacing a 3 year starter at quarterback,” will be one of the teams biggest challenges.

While the Vikings try to sort out the quarterback competition, they do return 3 seasoned offensive linemen in Bryan Bordeaux, Will Sachs and Mason Smith. Newcomer, Cameron Cruver should give the Vikings a boost in the run game.

 

 

Defensively, the Vikings will look for leadership from lineman Niakl Johnson, linebacker Jefferson Page and defensive back, Chandler Cao.

Coach McDonald kept it simple when we asked how the team will define success this season.

“Winning record, (and a) play-off berth, “ he said.

 

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Pope Greyhounds Football Preview

Posted on August 9, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

 

The Pope Greyhounds come into the season looking to build on the success from last season. While the Greyhounds have not posted a winning season since 2012, they did qualify for the playoffs for the first time in five years. So what does Coach Griffin see as the teams biggest challenge in 2018?

“Not settling on the success from last year,” he said.

Last season, the Greyhounds were a run dominated offense. But that did not stop receiver Zack Owens from having a big season  for the Greyhounds. Owens caught 37 passes for 658 yards and 7 TDs. Owens also garnered Second Team All-Region honors in 2017.

Quarterback Jackson Thain is slated to take the majority of the snaps under center this season. Last season as a sophomore, Thain split time with two quarterbacks, but still managed to lead the team in passing yards. Paris Cameron appears to be the heir apparent at running back for the Greyhounds.

 

 

 Defensive end Marco Guillen and All Region Honorable Mention defensive back, Ryan Stuetzer will pace the Pope defense. Stuetzer recorded 6 interceptions last season and will certainly be looking to add to those numbers in 2018.

While there are no games in particular circled on the Greyhounds calendar. We have good reason to believe that the region games are highlighted. After all, they are the ones that matter in terms of qualifying for the second season. And they align with the teams goals for success. We asked Coach Griffin specifically about those goals.

He said, “Making the playoffs and competing for the region title.”

If they can overcome any complacency of last season’s success, the Greyhounds should have a chance to achieve those goals.

 

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Mays Raiders Football Preview

Posted on August 9, 2018 by admin

 

 

The Skinny

 

The Mays Raiders are the defending 5-6A champion. They made an impressive run into the quarterfinals. But Coach Niketa Battles knows that this season presents it’s own set of challenges. We asked Coach Battle about the biggest challenge he and his staff faces coming into 2018

“Preparing first time Varsity players after losing 18 starters,” Battle said.

While a ton of talent was lost to graduation, the Raiders return some experience at quarterback and running back. Tyree Nelson lead the team last year in rushing with 769 yards and 10 TDs. While quarterback Jahquez Evans was second on the team in passing with 994 yards and 12 TDs. Evans was also second on the team in rushing.

Defensively, Monticello Edwards will lead an inexperienced secondary. Edwards was tied for second on the team with two interceptions last season.

 

Newcomer Jaquari Wiggles is a name that we should familiarize ourselves with along the defensive line for the Raiders. The junior has already been offered by FAU and UNC.

Coach Battle told us, “Every game is a State Championship Game,” when we asked if there was a game circled on the schedule.  The Raiders certainly aren’t easing into the 2018 season as they are set to take on perennial power Norcross in the Corky Kell Classic on Saturday, August 18th.

While the faces may be new and untested in some instances, the goals stay the same for Mays. We asked how successful would be defined this season and there was no hesitation from Coach Battle.

“Successfully defending our Region Championship Title,” he said.

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Conversations with Coaches – Episode 13 – Coach Lee Belknap – McIntosh Chiefs

Posted on August 8, 2018 by admin

Coach Lee Belknap leads the McIntosh Chiefs into the 2018 season after qualifying for the state tournament for the 2nd time in 5 years. In order to duplicate the same success, the Chiefs will need to find a replacement for First-Team All Region RB Bradley Ector. The Chiefs welcome back First-Team All Region and Air Force signee QB Dane Kinamon.Tune in as Coach Belknap gives his assessment of his team and perhaps the best place to get a burger and wings down in Peachtree City.  You can listen to the interview here:

 

If you missed our preview of the McIntosh Chiefs Football team, you can find it here: Chiefs Football Preview

Please remember to visit our segment sponsor http://www.yourganizeit.com Make sure you tell them you heard about them from The Turd Ferguson Report!

Please feel free to share and follow us on Twitter: @turdfurgesonrpt and on the web at https://turdfurgeson.com

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