Gordon Central Football Preview

Posted on August 3, 2018 by admin

The Skinny

Coach Cory Nix begins year two as he continues his rebuilding up in North Georgia for the Gordon Central Warriors. Last season, the Warriors had their best season in terms of wins since 2012. Gordon Central still has a tough road ahead. Their region includes some of the AA powers such as Chattooga, Pepperell and Rockmart. We asked Coach Nix what would be the teams biggest challenge they faced this season.

He said, “Making sure my team is one. Our motto for the season is We over Me.”

Coach Nix will be leaning on players such as Dawson Lackey, Alex Abat and Nelson Gravitt to lead the Warriors on offense.  Lackey was a First Team All-Region selection in 2017 for the Warriors. Alex Abat returns to the backfield as the teams most experienced returning back. He and Nelson Gravitt (QB) are projected to lead the team in the backfield.

Other players that could be poised to contribute for the Warriors this season are backs Peyton Parker, Isaiah Wilborn, JoJo McDaniels and Carlos Escobar.  The Warriors also return two First Team All-Region linemen in Abraham Reyes and Luis Castillo.

Reyes will also line up on the defensive line and should be an anchor there for the Warriors. Other contributors at linebacker could be Christian Davis and John Victor Rainwater.

 

We asked Coach Nix if what games if any, are circled on the schedule.

“As far as rivalry games our scrimmage game against Sonoraville is a big one because of location and it’s our county rivalry, but on the other hand it’s just a scrimmage,” he said.

“To be honest with you every game this year on our schedule is circled because we are out this year to earn respect each and every week. This is year two for me and the culture change that is taken place at GC. We are excited about everything we have done this off-season and all the talent that is returning. “

Speaking to that culture change Coach Nix mentioned when we asked about rivalry games; we asked Coach Nix what success would look like in year two.

“Of course as far as our society goes we are going to be judged on our wins and losses as a team, but I want to define our team success based on how we improved each week in all three phases of the game. Also I think our success will be based on if we left it all on the field each time we went out there on Friday Nights. Off the field our success will be determined by how we served others and how we did in the classroom,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

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Thomasville Bulldogs Football Preview

Posted on August 3, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

 

The Thomasville Bulldogs are a team that is steeped in Georgia high school football tradition. The Bulldogs have won 5 state titles in their storied history. Last season, Coach Zach Grage led Thomasville on their deepest playoff run in seven years. Coach Grage knows he and his staff have a couple of new challenges this season.

He said, “Not being complacent after a good 2017 season, and finding a kicker,” are two of the biggest challenges going into the 2018 season.

While Coach Grage battles complacency and is shoring up the kicking game, the offense returns quite a bit of experience from last season. Starting up front, linemen Javonte McGriff, Larry Williams and Tevin Rayford return. Last season, they helped pave the way for 191.6 yards per game average on the ground.

Tan Gelin looks to be the primary beneficiary of that returning offensive line. Gelin was second on the team in rushing in 2017 with 771 yards and 12 TDs. Meanwhile, Junior Kevin Cochran was electrifying last season. He led the team in receiving yards (879) and receiving touchdowns (8),  and garnered Second Team All-State honors.

Jay Tillman is the heir apparent at quarterback for the Bulldogs. However, whoever wins the job will have some big shoes to fill as Thomasville passed for over 2,800 yards last season as a team.

 

 

 

 

Other weapons on offense for Thomasville include running back Ma’lek Miller and receivers Sammy Morrow, Trey Florence and KD Johnson.

The Bulldog defense will be paced by First Team All-State selection Karey Lee at defensive back and All-State Honorable Mention Marc Davis on the defensive line.  Davis led the team in tackles while Lee picked off eight passes last season.

Chris Monroe joins Davis as an experienced lineman and Sedrick Robinson and Jeremiah Powell look to lead the linebackers. Jashawun Thornton (linebacker) and Payten Singletary (DL) are also projected to have an impact for Thomasville on defense.

It comes as no surprise that two of the biggest games on the schedule are longstanding rival Thomas County Central and region rival, Brooks County.

The goals are big for the Bulldogs. We asked Coach Grage how success would be defined this season.

He responded by saying, “Winning a state title.”

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Conversations with Coaches – Episode 10 – Chad Phillips – Starr’s Mill Panthers

Posted on August 3, 2018 by admin

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 Coach Phillips said, “Replacing all the veteran skill players from a 2 time region champion team,” is one of the biggest challenges for the Panthers this season. Coach Phillips talks to us about the upcoming season and how the Panthers are preparing for this season not only on the field but also in the community. You can listen here for the full interview:

 

 

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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Conversations with Coaches – Joe Scott – Landmark Christian

Posted on August 2, 2018 by admin

Joe Scott takes over as head coach of the Landmark Christian War Eagles. Coach Scott is excited about the upcoming season and talks a little about his journey to Landmark Christian, his players, and his expectations. Coach Scott also tells us how the War Eagles are involved off the football field as well, in and around the community. And of course, Coach Scott clues me in on some of the best places to get a pre-game meal down in Fairburn. Tune in and find out all of the details.

 

 

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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Swainsboro Tigers Football Preview

Posted on August 1, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Scott Roberts and the Swainsboro Tigers are looking to build on the success of last season. Swainsboro narrowly missed the playoffs in 2017 after falling to Jeff Davis in the Region mini-playoff game that settled a three-way tie for fourth place. Coach Roberts painted a good picture about expectations within the program.

“This is a program that has a lot of history and tradition but has struggled for the last several years,” he said. “We’ve got to understand the standard and expectations here and start living up to it.”

We asked Coach Roberts about the schedule and whether any game was more important than another.

Roberts said, “They all are (important). We started out quickly last year and faded off at the end. All of the teams on our schedule are good and we have to find a way to be more consistent.”

 The Tigers will be without their leading rusher from last season, Jalyn Williams. And will more than likely see new players at the skill positions on offense. KeSean Easterling (All-Region Honorable Mention) is one of the returners on the offensive line that the Tigers should be able to rely on.

Defensively, the Tigers return a few more players with experience. Players to watch on defense should be Armanie Sims, a Second Team All-Region selection, line backers RJ Phillips and Kennan Williams, as well as Second Team All-Region DB KJ Starnes.

The Tigers will have four weeks to get tuned up for region play. Coach Roberts has high expectations each year. We will keep an eye on the Tigers to see how they progress week-to-week.

 

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Putnam County War Eagles Football Preview

Posted on August 1, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Coach Shaun Pope takes over as head coach for the Putnam County War Eagles. Putnam County narrowly missed the payoffs last season, losing in a mini play-in game to a Monticello team they had beaten earlier in the season. We asked Coach Pope about the biggest challenge for the 2018 season.

“Getting our young men to believe in themselves and their teammates,” he said.

It does appear that the War Eagles will have some experience returning on both sides of the ball. On the offensive line, Camden Mathis (First Team All-Region) Atticus Maddox, and Roduel Humphries will look to pave the way for running back Zack Waller. Waller could be poised for a big season for the War Eagles.

 

 

Putnam County returns two experienced lindebackers in Kevarious Brownlow and Marquez Maddox. Brownlow was a Second Team All-Region selection. Jaheim Smith will be called upon to provide leadership on the defensive line for Coach Pope.

We asked Coach Pope about the most important game on the schedule.

He said, “North Oconee because it’s the next one.”

While outsiders may measure success by wins and losses, Coach Pope had a different measure of success.

“If we compete to the very best of our ability on every play in every game,” he said.

 

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Pepperell Dragons Football Preview

Posted on August 1, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

Last season, Head Coach Rick Hurst guided the Pepperell Dragons back into the post season for the 3rdconsecutive time. The Dragons, are a perennial playoff team. So while expectations probably remain high; Coach Hurst has a new set of challenges this season. We asked him about some of those challenges.

“Replacing an excellent group of players that were not only leaders on the field, but a group of young men that loved the game. Last years class loved to practice. They worked to be better each day,” Hurst said.

Graduation struck Pepperell hard as they lose 9 seniors that were the First Team All-Region selections.

Among those lost to graduation were All-Region offensive player of the year and All-State Honorable Mention QB Trevor Thomas and All-Region First Team selection Tae Hammond. Camron Miles is slated to be the heir apparent for the Dragons in the backfield. Miles was a Second Team All-Region selection for Coach Hurst and the Dragons. Miles is a two-way player who currently holds an offer from the Air Force Academy.

 

 

Defensively, Coach Hurst will depend on linebacker Jack Bennett to provide leadership for the Dragons. Bennett was a Second Team All-Region selection a year ago and he looks to build upon that resume in 2018.

When we asked if there were any games that were circled on the calendar, Hurst said, “Every game on our schedule is important. We have to treat them all the same and never underestimate or overlook anyone if we are to make a return trip to the playoffs.”

We asked Coach Hurst how success will be defined for the Dragons.

He replied, “Our destiny this year depends on how well our seniors step forward and lead our team. “

We will certainly keep an eye on the Dragons to see if this year’s senior class can duplicate the leadership of the 2017 seniors.

 

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Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets Football Preview

Posted on August 1, 2018 by admin

The Skinny

        In his first season, Coach Lance Helton guided the Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets back to the post-season for the first time in 16 seasons. However, the 2018 season is among us and Coach Helton has a new set of challenges. We asked him about the biggest challenge he and his staff will face this season.

“Replacing a great senior class,” Helton Said.

The Yellow Jackets do return quarterback Britt Metts, (All-Region Honorable Mention) along with Second Team All-Region running back, Jashaun Kirby. Kirby was second on the team in rushing yards last season and looks to be the feature back for the Jackets in 2018.

 

 

 On defense, the Jackets will sport an impressive defensive line that includes Cody Ewing, a First Team All-Region selection last season and Roderick Lewis, a Second team All-Region selection as well. (Lewis and Ewing weigh in at 270 and 293 respectively.) Emanuel Rumph, who was also a Second Team All-Region selection, will be back in the secondary for the Jackets.

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

“All region games,” he said.

After returning to the playoffs last season, we asked Coach Helton how success would be defined for the Jackets.

He replied, “The growth of our young men as individuals, and the growth of our team as a family.”

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Conversations With Coaches – Episode 8 – Coach Bob Sphire – Camden County Wildcats

Posted on August 1, 2018 by admin

Coach Bob Sphire enters his second season as the head coach down at Camden County. Coach Sphire is looking to wake the sleeping giant of southeast Georgia. (Camden County has been a perennial power over the past four decades. There are certainly some pieces to build around for Coach Sphire and his staff. But there are challenges as well, as Coach Sphire discusses in the interview. Tune in to listen to Coach Sphire’s thoughts on the upcoming 2018 season.

 

 

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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Hephzibah Rebels Football Preview

Posted on July 31, 2018 by admin

 

The Skinny

 

 The Hephzibah Rebels enter the 2018 season with some holes to fill on both sides of the football. Coach William Harrell is in his 3rd season at Hephzibah and is holding his Rebels to a high standard. Coach Harrell was honored as the Region Coach of the Year in 2017.  This year, the Rebels drop down two classifications, but there are still some  questions to be answered. We asked coach Harrell about some of the biggest challenges this season for the Rebels.

“(We are) starting a new QB; (and) replacing half of our defensive starters,” Coach Harrell said.

While the Rebels will be looking for a new quarterback, they do return their top running back, Rayquan Riley (1,028 yards 10 TDs). Riley was a First Team All-Region selection in 2017. Riley will have a familiar face leading the way as fellow First Team All-Region offensive lineman Corby McIntyre returns for his senior season. Expect the offensive line to get a boost from MacKenzie Woodruff. The Rebel’s also return E’Shawn Mayes, their leading wide receiver from a year ago.

 

 

The Rebels return First Team All-Region linebacker Gregg Williamson. Williamson was second on the team in tackles last season. KaShawn Morris will help shore up the defensive secondary.

While all region games are important. The October 20thgame versus Laney is a game the Rebels will be looking forward to.  Laney has dominated the series, but this season could be a turning point.

With regards to goals and success for this season, we go back to our ‘high standards’ comment we made earlier. Coach Harrell told us how his team would define success this season.

“Playoff berth and going past the 1st Round of the Playoffs,” said coach Harrell.

The Rebels will have some tough competition in region play with the likes of Jefferson County and Screven County. But they could have just enough talent to achieve those goals.

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