Conversations with Coaches – Troy Hoff – Eastside Eagles

Posted on August 7, 2018 by admin

Coach Troy Hoff begins his 4th season as the head coach of the Eastside Eagles. Coach Hoff has led the Eagles to the post season in consecutive seasons. However, to get back to the post season, the Eagles will need to address some of their biggest challenges. Tune in as Coach Hoff explains what those challenges are and talks about the upcoming season for the Eastside Eagles.

 

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

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Union Grove Wolverines Football Preview

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Chad Frazier enters his second season as the head coach at Union Grove.  The Wolverines will be in their second year under Frazier’s multiple Wing-T offense.

“Our program has put in an enormous amount of time into the development of our strength program.  Players are bigger and stronger than a season ago.  There is still room for improvement and a lot of work to be done but the players and coaching staff have seen a big shift forward in the confidence of the 2018 team.  We always try improve in some area everyday in the program and wins and losses are no different,” said Frazier.

As mentioned previously, the Wolverines will look to establish the ground game in the Wing-T offense.

Frazier said, “With Michael Reese at QB and being in his 2nd year in the system, we hope to be able to pass the ball more effectively and utilize Reese’s athleticism more in the run game.”

Other key returners on offense include running back Mikey Johnson (124 yards rushing), wide receiver, Winston Reese (174 yards receiving, 1TD), and a host of offensive linemen including Jared Hines, Walker Starr, Brenden Dailey, Mitchell Smith,  Josh Webb, and Tyler Southern .

 

 

“We do not have as much experience on Defense going into this season. We will have 7 new starters on this side of the ball.  Although we feel confident in the kids we have, experience is always a key component to playing well as a unit on defense. The summer and preseason will be key for this unit to develop into a stingy defense,” Frazier added.

Key returners on Defense include linemen Keyon Smothers (28 Tackles, all Region Honorable Mention selection), Godley Adrien, Walker Starr, and Justin Crawford; linebackers Michael Porter, Mitchell Smith, and Dylan Loucks; and defensive backs Jaylen Colbert, Hunter Martin, Jaylen Blackwell, Cameron Brooks, and Cameron Morris.

The Wolverines will also expect a boost from their special teams unit.

“Cullen (LeJeune) will be taking over for his older brother and All South Metro K, Cade, who graduated in May. Cullen has a very strong leg and will be a huge asset in the battle of field position on Friday nights.  Cullen is also very accurate putting the ball through the uprights. Cullen will be a scoring machine this season,” explained Frazier.

This should be an interesting team to follow this season.  They look to be a team that can improve on their 3-7 record from 2017.

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Hiram Hornets Football Preview

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Pete Fominaya takes over as the head Coach for the Hiram Hornets this season. This will be Fominaya’s first head coaching job. He inherits a Hiram team that has gone 4-6 in the last two seasons and has not been to the playoffs in eight seasons. Coach Fominaya does have some talent to work with this season. But as a first year coach, there are several challenges.

He said, “First year installing (the) offense system and defense system,” when we asked about the biggest challenge he and his staff will face this season.

As with installing anything new, there are certain to be fits and starts, but the Hornets return three players at the skill position on offense that might make that transition a little easier.

Quarterback Nathan Presnell returns for his senior season. The two-sport star had breakout seasons in both football and basketball last season and he hopes to continue the trend in 2018. Last season, Presnell passed for over 1,600 yards with 12 TDs.

Jermaine Banks returns for his junior season and projects to be one of the top receivers for the Hornets. In 2017, Banks led the team in receiving touchdowns.

 

Newcomer Marcuis Fulks is set to take over at running back. Fulks is a shifty back that is not afraid of contact. He could be a breakout player for Hiram.

On defense, Louisville commit, Kristian Varner will lead the defensive line. He will be aided be returners at linebacker Zach Tillman and Myles Freeman as well as defensive back, Shakari Denson.

We asked Coach Fominaya if there was any game that was circled on the schedule.

He said, “Harrison”, without hesitation.

The Hoyas will be the first game of the season. The Hornets will travel to West Cobb on 8/24 to take on a Hoya program that has been one of the more consistent teams in Cobb County in recent years.

Coach Fominaya has big plans for this team in year one. We asked him how success would de defined this season.

“Making the playoffs,” he responded.

 

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Starr’s Mill Panthers Football Preview

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

The Starr’s Mill Panthers advanced to the 3rd round of the State Playoffs last season before falling to eventual State Champion, Rome.  Coach Phillips had a veteran team last season, so it’s no surprise that he said, “Replacing all the veteran skill players from a 2 time region champion team”, is one of the biggest challenges for the Panthers in 2018. Among those players that the Panthers will have to replace is Region 3 offensive player of the year Joey DeLuca.

The offense will be breaking in several new starters this season, but the cupboard is not completely bare.

“Kalen Sims returns after 2 successful seasons as our A back. Senior place-kicker Michael Lantz is one of the top-ranked kickers in the country. Most all other players will be new starters. “ said Phillips

Phillips added, “Kalen Sims had been sharing time at A back with a graduated senior. This season he will get all the carries. Hunter Lawson has been the back up, now he is the projected starter at QB.”

 

 

 

On defense, Phillips said “Senior linebacker Michael Burnett and Safety Sean King will lead our defense. Kelvin Wyle (DL), Nate Kearns (CB), and Cole Bishop saw significant time last season as well.”

Additionally, “Cole Bishop has been moved from the starting SS to our Bandit. Ben Bodnee steps into the role as our Mike backer. “

While the Panthers will not be overlooking any opponents, Coach Phillips said, “Griffin is always the measuring stick in our region.”

Regarding a successful season; Phillips explained “If we can get production from 3 new starters in our backfield, including a new QB, we have a chance to win some games. The OL will need to be rebuilt as well. Only expectations are always post-season play. A successful season would be marked by a 5th consecutive playoff appearance. “

Off the field, the Panthers are active in the community.

“Most all of our players volunteer for our mentor program here,” he said, “We have had great success with our Future Panthers program at Starr’s Mill.”

 

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Paulding County Patriots Football Preview

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

The Skinny

 

Last season, Coach Van Spence led the Paulding County Patriots to the playoffs for the first time in eleven years. 2018 doesn’t get any easier for the Patriots. They play in one of the toughest regions in Class 5A; which includes two-time defending state champion Rome and perennial powers Carrollton and Kell. While facing that kind of competition is challenging in and of itself, Coach Spence explained what the biggest challenge for the upcoming season.

“Replacing the most successful senior class in Paulding County history,” he said.

The Patriots will return several players with experience on both sides of the ball. Logan Parvin and Damon Stamper will anchor the offensive line. They will lead the way for the two leading returning rushers, Jamal McIver and Smael Mondon. Jacob Fountain is projected to be one of the leading receivers for the Patriots.

 

 

Perhaps the biggest question marks will be at quarterback, as Paulding County has to replace the 2480 yards that Brantley Mauldin passed for a year ago.

Defensively, the Patriots return their leading tackler in linebacker Trell Evans. Joining Evans on defense are fellow linebacker Laamar Adams, defensive lineman Ja’on Walker and two-way player Smael Mondon at Safety.

Coach Spence is an advocate of the idea that the most important game on the schedule is the next one; one game at a time.

How will success be defined for the Patriots this season.

Spence said, “(by) how much we grow and improve from the beginning until the last snap.”

 

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Ola Mustangs Football Preview

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

The Skinny

 

Coach Zito’s Ola Mustangs enter the 2018 season without the services of All-State OL Austin Smith and All-State Honorable Mention Running Back, Chris Rodriguez. Smith led a line that helped pave the way for a 1,669 yard season for Rodriguez.  We asked Coach Zito about this new crop of Mustangs.

“(We) are very young and inexperienced in a lot of positions,” Coach Zito said.

The Mustangs will look to senior tackle Daniel Campbell to anchor the offensive line.  Junior Chandler Durham, will also be asked to step in and compete on both the offensive and defensive line this season. Junior Hunter Kautz is poised to take over at quarterback. He saw limited action under center last season, appearing in 3 games at the position.

Ola does boast a trio of talented wide receivers that should be able to relieve some of the pressure on the new starting signal caller. Jourdan Cooper led the team in receptions last season and returns for his senior season ready to improve on last year’s performance. Joseph Miller and Dillon Scott look to add depth at the receiver position.

Similar to the offense, the Mustang defense will need to replace seven of their eight top tacklers from a year ago.

 

 

Junior linebacker Baylen Sanders, (5thin tackles last season), will be called upon to help fill the void left by graduation. Nose guard Clay Sumner, lineman Jonathan Puckett and the aforementioned Chandler Durham join Sanders as players that should step in and replace  the production from a year ago.

There is no one particular game circled on the calendar for Coach Zito. He knows that all of the region games are important.

“Ask the Mustang players,” Zito said, “they would say Locust Grove and Stockbridge”.

We asked Coach Zito how he believes success will be defined this season.

“I think every year the goals are consistent…. compete for a region championship, make the playoffs, host a home playoff game, win a playoff game. We made the playoffs for the first time in school history 2 years ago,” he said.

It seems that Coach Zito has the blueprint in place, we’ll see if his young Mustangs can learn fast and get back to the playoffs.

 

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McIntosh Chiefs Football Preview

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

 

**Our podcast interview with Coach Belknap will be released on Wednesday. Tune in for a deeper look into the 2018 team.**

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Lee Belknap leads the McIntosh Chiefs into the 2018 season after qualifying for the state tournament for the 2ndtime 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 do welcome back First-Team All Region QB Dane Kinamon. Outside of leading the Chiefs offense passing attack, Kinamon was second on the team in rushing last season.

Kinamon will have his top receiver Ryan Cate back this season as well. The two connected for four(4) TDs in 2017 and will look to improve on those numbers this season. Ryan Siegal, (Second-Team All Region) will be a leader upfront on the line for McIntosh.

 

 

On the defensive side of the ball, Coach Belknap will lean on Honorable Mention selection Ryan Sanders at linebacker and Calvin Flowers at safety. Sanders was also a First-Team All Region selection as a punter last season.

Coach Bellknap said that the in county rival games are the ones that his team generally circles on the calendar. These games are certainly great for bragging rights, but also have high stakes when region standings are on the line.

We asked about what will make the 2018 season a success for McIntosh.

“Knowing our purpose, growing to reach our purpose and sowing seeds that benefit others,” Belknap said.

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Cross Keys Indians Football Preview

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

 

Coach Mark Adams begins his 3rd season as the head coach of Cross Keys High. The Indians are in region 5-5A but compete with a non-region schedule. We asked Coach Adams what is the biggest challenge that his staff faces coming into this season.

He said, “Participating the Georgia high school arena with student-athletes who are mostly new to the game.”

On offense, some of the players to watch for the Indians include wide receiver, Victor Corona and Axel Raygoza.

On defense , Eric Padilla and Charvis Harris are top returners for Cross Keys.

Coach Adams also added that Andel Gutierrez and Narvy Bibiano could be poised for breakout seasons in 2018.

 

 

We asked Adams if there were any games that were circled on the schedule this season.

“Our home and home games versus Pataula Charter have been the most exciting games for the past two seasons,” he said.

The Indians will get to play Pataula Charter twice this season; hosting one and travelling down to Edison for their last game of the season. For the first time since 2013, the Indians will have the full complement of games on the schedule as well.

We did ask how the Indians would measure success this season.

He simply said, “In wins and losses.”

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Loganville Red Devils Football Preview

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

The Loganville Red Devils come into this season looking to rebound after a disappointing 2-8 finish last season. The Red Devils had qualified for the post season in both of Coach Humphrey’s prior seasons. We asked Coach Humphreys if there were any games on the schedule that stuck out more than others.

“After going 2-8 last year, they are all circled,” he said.

One of the biggest challenges that the team will face is replacing seven starters on defense. Three of the defensive starters returning for the Red Devil defense are Slater Stewart (DE), Josiah Wright (DB) and Trevon Williams (DB). Stewart was second on the team in sacks last season while both Wright and Williams are physical DBs that aren’t afraid  dishing out a big lick. D’errius Hart will also be joining Wright and Williams in the secondary for the Red Devils.

 

 

Hart, who is listed as a wide receiver and defensive back also led Loganville in rushing last season. Wright and Max Ogletree also saw valuable minutes last season on offense as well at the receiver position. We wouldn’t be surprised if they are in the mix offensively this season.

Helping lead the way this season for the Red Devils on the offensive line will be returners Max Smith and Derek Lort.

We asked coach Humphreys what would make this season a success.

“Being competitive and getting back on the winning track,” he said.

It should be interesting to watch and see if this youthful defense will be able to come together when region play begins in late September.

 

 

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Harris County Tigers Football Preview

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

Coach Jamie Fox takes over as Head Coach for Harris County this season. Fox has been the offensive coordinator for the past 6 years. While this is Coach Fox’s first season as the head coach at Harris County, he does have previous head coaching experience at Shaw. So he understands that the day to-day operations for the head coach can be very time-consuming. As the Tigers head into 2018 they will be looking to improve on last years 5 wins.

Coach Fox will have the luxury of  having Cal’von Harris back in the backfield. Last season he was a First Team All-State selection and rushed for over 1,600 yards with 9 TDs.  There is no doubt having Harris on the backfield will take some of the pressure off of Junior QB Davion Mahone. Mahone led the team in passing last season with 750 yards and 7 TDs.

TJ Pass, Ryan O’steen and Tailique Williams are three receivers that should have opportunities to contribute on offense this season.  Center Austyn Curlington will anchor the offensive line for the Tigers.

 

 

Cohen Perry returns as one of the leaders on defense. Last season, Perry tallied 84 tackles from his linebacker position. Joining Perry at linebacker will be senior Jeremiah Hickey (54 tackles). Edmund Whitaker is another linebacker that could also step up for the Tigers.

On the defensive front, Nick Richey and Cayde Anderson are projected starters on the line, while safeties Maverick Crownhart-Swan and Sebastian Russell provide experience in the secondary.

We asked how Coach Fox would define success this season.

He said,  “You want to reach the playoffs every year.”

While that might be the big goal for the Tigers, Coach Fox said that the most important game of the season is the first game of the year. It’s safe to assume that Harris County will not be overlooking any of their opponents in 2018.

 

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