Griffin Bears Football Preview

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

2018 will mark 108 years of Griffin Football. The Bears program is rich in history and tradition. They have been a perennial playoff team. In fact, since 1996, they have only missed post-season play once. Coach Andrews seems excited about the 2018 edition of the Bears. So what is all the buzz about in Griffin this season?

“We have had an amazing off-season. We have gotten bigger faster and stronger across the board as a team,” said Andrews.

But don’t think that Griffin doesn’t have it’s own set of challenges. Even with their proud history, Coach Andrews knows to take nothing for granted.

“I guess the biggest challenge will be not getting complacent. We have to continue to work. Continue to do what it takes to be become the best that we can be. If we can pull this off, I think we have a chance to be a pretty good football team,” he said.

The Bears return 3 of their top skill position players from last season.

“Alijah King is clearly our top running back. Jamoi Mayes and Tarrell Jester are leading WRs from a year ago,” said Andrews.

 

 

Griffin sports two First Team All-Region defensive players in lineman Mike Webb and linebacker Larry Corbin. They’ll be joined by Demarjahe Lewis up front who can create havoc with his 6’4” 280lb frame.

Andrews said, “LB Larry Corbin was our leading tackler a year ago. Defensive Linemen Michael Webb and Damarjahe Lewis also had really good seasons this past season. “

So what else is there to be excited about? Coach Andrews said that there are several players poised for a breakout season including the aforementioned King, Mayes, Corbin, Webb and Lewis. Some of the other players Andrews clued us in to are receivers Darryl Matthews, Tarrell Jester, Jacarlin Dennis and Amanuel Mcdowell. As well as Jaden Echols on defense.

Some big games dot the schedule for the Bears. We asked Coach Andrews if any of them were circled on the schedule, outside of region play.

“Of course our opening game against our in town rival Spalding is circled. Very next week we play Clay-Chalkville the #3 ranked team in 6A in Alabama at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta. This will be our first time in history playing a team from a different state.,” he said.

Coach Andrews didn’t define success for this season in terms of wins and losses. He kept it simple and simply said, “Do your best.”

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Eagle’s Landing Golden Eagles Football Preview

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

The Skinny

 

There are some question marks surrounding what the 2018 football season holds for the Eagle’s Landing Golden Eagles. Last season, the team advanced to the second round of the state playoffs, their deepest run in school history. However,  the team graduated most of their production on offense. So, what is one of the biggest challenges for 4thyear head Coach Shawn Jones and his staff this season?

“Bringing the right attitude and effort on a daily basis,” Jones said.

The Golden Eagles graduate their top producers at all of the skill positions, but do return Jeremy Adams, who was third on the team in receiving yards last season. There will no doubt be an opportunity for young players to step up and make an impact on offense.

 

 

 

Defensively, Anthony Britton, who was Second Team All-Region last season as a sophomore is set to anchor the defensive line. Britton led the team with 9 sacks on the season and hopes to duplicate that success in 2018.

We asked Coach Jones if there were any games that were circled on the calendar this season.

Jones said, “All of them and important”.

So what will success look like for Eagle’s Landing this season.

“The classroom, the field, the community,” said Jones

While there are many question marks surrounding this young team. We look forward to seeing how Coach Jones prepares them week in and week out.

 

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Cass Colonels Football Preview

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny 

 

Coach Bobby Hughes enters his 5thseason at Cass. The Colonels may have played one of the more difficult schedules last season, as their region schedule includes State Champion Rome and perennial powers Kell and Carrollton. One of the keys to improving this season for the Colonels will be creating depth across the board.

QB Rhett Moore looks to provide some stability on offense as he returns for his senior season. Up and coming Zay Jackson could certainly provide a spark for the Colonels in the backfield. Jaquez Fountain and Taj Dawson will also be options for Moore in the passing game.

 

 

 Defensively, Rodney Richards is one of the top performers that returns. He could be poised for a breakout season at the defensive end position. Richards wreaked havoc for the Colonels on defense, recording 8 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss. If the Colonels can develop some additional depth around him, this defense could see improvement over last season.

While the schedule does include the aforementioned region powers of Rome, Carrollton and Kell, the Colonels will certainly be looking beyond the first game on the schedule. They will meet rival Adairsville  for the 53rd  time on August 24th.

When we asked coach Hughes how will success be defined this season, he said one word, “improvement”.

 

 

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Carrollton Trojans Football Preview

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

The Skinny

 

Sean Calhoun begins his third season as head coach of the Carrollton Trojans. The Trojans are another program in the state that is steeped in rich football tradition. The Trojans are 7-time state champs. Coach Calhoun has taken the Trojans to the 3rd round of the playoffs in each of his first two seasons. We asked Coach Calhoun what his biggest challenge was for the 2018 season.

He said, “Preparing my student-athletes mentally for a 15 game season.”

On offense at the skill positions, the Trojans have to replace the production of Mark Wright at quarterback; All-State running back Jaylan Thomas and wide receiver Dalton Benefield. Kashif Taylor appears to be the next in line to start at quarterback for the Trojans. Taylor played meaningful minutes last season as a sophomore, passing for 642 yards and 8 TDs.

Kode Brewer, the team’s second leading rusher in 2017, is poised to step in and fill the void left by Thomas. Isaiah Lancaster and Miles McLendon both return to lead the Trojans receiving corps. Lancaster was second on the team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs in 2017.

 

 

 

While the young Trojans are figuring things out at the skill positions, Carrollton returns Johnathan Mason and Kayliek Dunson on the offensive line. Coach Calhoun will be relying on these two to anchor the line and pave the way for the Trojans ground game.

Defensively, the Trojans will be led by All-State linebacker, Kevin Swint. Swint led the team in tackles (102) and recorded a team-high 18 sacks in 2017. Swint will be teamed up with another young linebacker, sophomore Chaz Chambliss. Chambliss recorded 12 sacks in his freshmen season and was tied for second in total tackles with 97.

The defensive line returns Malachi Moten and Robert Johnson. While Reid Dedman and Jacob Cotton return in the secondary.

We asked Coach Calhoun if there was a game that was circled on the schedule.

“Our scrimmage because it is the first one!” he said.

When asked how success will be defined for the Trojans this season, Coach Calhoun said, “Getting my student-athletes to perform at 100% on the field and in the classroom.”

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Conversations with Coaches – Episode 11 – John Bowen – Montgomery County Eagles

Posted on August 6, 2018 by admin

Last season, Coach John Bowen led the Montgomery County Eagles to their first playoff appearance in 14 years and their highest win total in 28 years. Coach Bowen talked to us about some of the challenges this year’s Eagles will face.

“In a small school, depth is always a concern and this year at MCHS will be a classic example of this’” he said, “The Eagles will have to find ways to rotate players enough to create some depth along the OL and offensive backfield. The Eagles must also break in a new QB to take over from the graduation of the school’s all time passing leader, Kris Daniels.”

Listen here as we talk a little pre-season football with Coach Bowen:

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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Chestatee War Eagles Football Preview

Posted on August 5, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Shaun Conley begins his third season as the head coach of the Chestatee War Eagles. Last season, the War Eagles missed out on the playoffs. Their region was a grinder in 2017, as it included the two teams that played for the state title in Class 4A. As if that wasn’t challenging enough, in 2018 Flowery Branch was dropped down from 5A and Denmark in Forsyth County came online and will be playing in the region this season.

We asked coach Conley what would be his staff’s biggest challenge in 2018.

“Replacing a group of seniors who have been 3 year starters,” he said.

However, there is a good amount of young talent waiting in the wings for the War Eagles.

On offense Christian Charles will return at quarterback. Last season, Charles split time with Storm Yarbrough, but Charles will take the reins, as Yarbrough has graduated.  Charles threw for almost 500 yards and 3 TDs last season, while rushing for almost 400 yards. For his efforts, Charles was tabbed as an All-Region Honorable Mention selection.

 

 

 

The War Eagles return three experienced offensive linemen in Josh Hamilton, Eduardo Jordan, and Jesus Aguillares. Hamilton was a First Team All-Region selection while Aguillares was selected as All-Region Honorable Mention. Wide receiver Seth Pressley could quickly become one of Charles’ “go to guys” at receiver.

Coach Conley’s defense lost its top seven tacklers to graduation. The War Eagles will look for production from linebackers Robbie James (41 tackles), MJ Jarrard (20 tackles) and Hunter Chambers (34 tackles). David Woodward will be a leader on the defensive line for Chestatee. The great news for the War Eagles, is that all four of these young men are just juniors this season.

We asked Coach Conley if there were any games on the scheduled that were circled for his team.

“None in particular,” he said, “the next one is always circled.”

How will the War Eagles define success this season?

“…we strive to compete in every situation we are in – we want to give maximum effort and play together,” Conley said.

 

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Southeast Whitfield Raiders Preview

Posted on August 5, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

 

Coach Sean Gray enters his 7thseason at the helm for the Southeast Whitfield Raiders. Coach Gray guided the Raiders to a 7-3 season last year and narrowly missed out on a playoff berth after falling to Pickens High in the play-in tiebreaker game. The seven-win tally was the most wins for the Raiders since the 1985 season.

This year, one of the biggest challenges for Southeast will be replacing the defensive line and First Team All-State  lineman Luke Johns.

Junior quarterback Adam Sowder takes over for Porter Johnson. Last season the Raiders passed for just under 2,000 yards. Receiver Zac Cole will look to step in and help replace the production of tight-end Oscar Gonzalez. Gonzalez was a First Team All-State selection last season, who led the team in receiving with 891 yards and 13 touchdowns.

 

 

 

While the Raiders fine tune the passing game, the run game looks to be in good shape with the return of Christian Gillespie. As a sophomore last season, Gillespie led the team in rushing with 845 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Gillespie will more than likely see time on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he will line up as linebacker. Cornerback Mike Zilbert is projected to lead the secondary.

As mentioned before, the Raiders had their best season in 32 years. Graduation however, has taken its toll on this squad. They lost 24 seniors off of the 2017 team. Matching last years win total will be a tall task.

Looking at the 2018 schedule, there is no question that the biggest game of the season for the Raiders is their county rival Northwest Whitfield.

 

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White County Warriors Football Preview

Posted on August 5, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Tim Cokely leads enters his second season at the helm for the White County Warriors. The Warriors had a reversal of fortunes in Cokely’s first season and returned the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. However, with a new season comes new challenges.

Cokely said, “creating depth,” is one of the biggest challenges that he and his staff will face as they prepare for the 2018 season.

The Warriors do return J Ben Haynes at quarterback for his sophomore season. Haynes was an All-Region Honorable Mention selection his freshman season.

Cody VerSluis is projected as one of the leading receivers for the Warriors. While Noah Hoersten is slated to help anchor the offensive line for Coach Cokely.

 

 

First Team All-Region linebacker Mike Mintz returns to lead the Warriors on defense. Minitz is a punishing tackler who always seems to be running downhill.

Jay Lepkoske and Deejay Fleming should give the Warriors experience on the defensive line. Karson Crow and Kurtis Havlen will lead the Warriors secondary.

While we don’t have a definition of success for the Warriors this season, we can certainly believe it would have something to do with coming into each practice and each game and competing to the best of their ability.

 

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West Laurens Raiders Football Preview

Posted on August 5, 2018 by admin

 

 

**Our podcast interview with Coach McClain will be released on Friday, August 10th. Stay Tuned as Coach McClain takes a deeper dive into the Raiders upcoming season.** 

 

The Skinny

 

 The West Laurens Raiders advanced to the second round of the state tournament last season. As a matter of fact, the Raiders have qualified for the state tournament for 4 straight seasons. However, Coach McClain knows that each new season brings its own set of challenges. One of the biggest challenges this season, according to Coach McClain is youth.

“We are going to be very young” said McClain regarding the 2018 Raiders.

While the Raiders will be young, they do return Junior Quarterback AJ Mathis to lead the offense. Mathis passed for over 1,600 yards and 12 TDs as a sophomore in 2017. Mathis will not be alone in the backfield as West Laurens returns leading rusher Dorian Edmond. Edmond ran for 867 yards for the Raiders last season.

West Laurens lost their 3 top receivers to graduation, but EJ Holmes could be poised to step up and take a leadership role within the young receiving corps.

 

 

Defensively, D’Eryck Jackson is poised to improve on his 99 total tackles and seven sacks, from last season. He won’t be alone, as fellow defensive tackles Que Mack (4 sacks) and Spencer Dacus (5 sacks) look to make running the football difficult on opposing offenses.

There is no one ‘most important game’ for West Laurens. Instead Coach McClain said that all the region ones are circled on the schedule this season.

While the Raiders will be young, the goal seems to remain the same as last season.

“Our goal is to play hard, be physical, and compete for a playoff spot,” he said.

 

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Troup County Tigers Preview

Posted on August 5, 2018 by admin

(You can listen to our podcast interview with Coach Glisson here: Coach Glisson Podcast Interview)

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Tanner Glisson has quickly helped right the ship  for the Troup County Tigers. Last season, the Tigers won 9 games. The team found ways to light up the scoreboard, primarily through the air. Last year’s leading passer, Montez Crowe has moved on to Savannah State and he takes along with him his 3,984 passing yards. Coach Glisson knows that he has to continue to keep his team focused.

“Dealing with outside expectations”, that’s one of the biggest challenges that Glisson said his team will face this season.

Troup County does return their 3 leading receivers from last season. WR Jamari Thrash was a First Team All-State recipient. The rising senior caught 61 passes for 1,410 yards with 13 TDs. Rising Juniors Kobe Hudson (896 yards, 12TDs), Mark Anthony Dixon (577 yards, 4TDs) and Ja’Rell Smith (281 yards, 2 TDs) round out the WR corps. TE Luke Purnell is poised to get in the mix in the passing game this season.

 

 

 Alabama verbal commit King Mwikuta will certainly be one of the leaders on this Troup County defense. He was a consensus First Team All-State selection last season at his linebacker position. Mwikuta will be joined by fellow linebackers Joko Willis (1stteam All-Region in 2017) and Kevin Martin (second team All-Region in 2017).

Junior Andy Boykin, an Honorable Mention All-Region selection, will help to make this defense an extremely formidable force this season.

Coach Glisson has had the Tigers playing well over the last two seasons and you ‘d better believe they’ll be looking to improve on last year’s nine wins. There is no doubt they won’t be taking any opponents lightly either, but Cartersville has been the measuring stick in Region 5. The November 2nd matchup with the Canes could show how far the Tigers have come, or it tell how much further they have to go.

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