The following is an excerpt from the August 14 edition of the Georgia High School Football Daily, an e-mail newsletter compiled by longtime Georgia high school football writers Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye:
Region Preview: 3-AAAAA:
What it is: Region 3-AAAAA consists of reigning state champion Camden County and seven Savannah-area schools that choose to play up so they can be in the same region to save on transportation costs. The result is one great program (Camden) and seven that struggle to compete on the state level because of enrollment. Beach and Savannah, each with about 1,000 students, are roughly one-third the size of Camden County and qualify to play Class AA.
Defending champion: Camden County
Best player: FB Sheldon Barnes, Bradwell Institute
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
#1 Camden County (15-0, 7-0)
Bradwell Institute (8-4, 6-1)
Windsor Forest (5-6, 5-2)
Johnson, Savannah (5-6, 4-3)
Groves (4-6, 3-4)
Jenkins (2-8, 2-5)
Beach (1-9, 1-6)
Savannah (0-10, 0-7)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
Camden County (4/3)
Bradwell Institute (4/5)
Johnson, Savannah (7/6)
Windsor Forest (7/4)
Jenkins (7/7)
Beach (7/8)
Groves (3/2)
Savannah (5/5)
TEAM BY TEAM
Beach Bulldogs
2008 record: 1-9, 1-6 in region (seventh in region)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Ulysses Hawthorne (41-58 in 10 seasons)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Kenneth Baker)
Defense: 3-2-5 (coordinator: Ulysses Hawthorne)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 8 on defense
Best player: QB George Grant
Other top players: RB/LB Timmell Duncan, NT Robert Jones
Key losses: RB Jahquell Smith
Outlook: This team has some athletes, but dedication and discipline within the program has been a problem in recent years. The Bulldogs’ strength will come from their interior, as Beach has the largest players of Savannah’s public schools, including 6-foot-3, 375-pound nose tackle Robert Jones. The offensive line returns four starters, while the defense returns three. QB George Grant has a nice arm but will be asked to run the ball more instead of forcing throws. Grant is a terrific leader, and if the team follows his example, the Bulldogs could win a few games.
Bradwell Institute Tigers
2008 record: 8-4, 6-1 (second in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Lowndes 62-21 in the second round
Average record this decade: 7-4
Coach: Jim Walsh (101-60 in 15 seasons)
Offense: Flexbone (coordinator: Adam Bryie)
Defense: Multiple 50 (coordinator: Jeff Miller)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: FB Sheldon Barnes
Other top players: LB Darvean Herron, C/DT Ulrick John, NG Cory Gilliard, OG Chester Brown, QB Wilson Brown
Key losses: DB Jerrell Inman, OL K’vaughn Harris, RB Deante Day
Outlook: Bradwell earned some respect for non-Camden County teams from Region 3-AAAAA with a victory against East Coweta in the playoffs. Bradwell is a frequent playoff qualifier, but this was the Tigers’ first playoff victory since 1997, and it was the first playoff victory from a 3-AAAAA team other than Camden this decade. The team’s best two players are back. One is RB Sheldon Barnes, a 5-11, 205-pound senior who rushed for 1,649 yards (6.9 per carry) and scored 19 touchdowns. That led the Coastal Empire. The other is Ulrick John, a 6-7, 256-pound lineman who was the leader on an offense that rushed for more than 3,500 yards out of the flexbone last season. He’ll also play defense, along with LB Darvean Herron (91 tackles) and junior NG Cory Gilliard. Bradwell lost a good chunk of the rest, but this is a team that played with increasing confidence down the stretch and isn’t expecting to take a step back after last year’s success in the playoffs.
Camden County Wildcats
2008 record: 15-0, 7-0 (region and state champions)
Playoffs: Beat Peachtree Ridge 21-14 in the state championship game
Average record this decade: 12-1
Coach: Jeff Herron (108-11 in nine seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Welton Coffey)
Defense: 3-5-3 (coordinator: Jon Lindsey)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 3 on defense
Best player: DL Matt Jackson
Other top players: HB Ean Days, RB Aundre Johnson, TE Zach Griffis, G Gabe Gabriel, NG Jeremiah Booth, LB Glenn Mack, PK Matt Ehasz
Key losses: DB Mike Green (Alabama State), LB Robert Williams (Wofford), RB Greg Baker, WR DeAngelo Smith (South Carolina), QB Christian Milstead (Navy), DB Nick Siemer (Georgia Military)
Outlook: The 2008 team was one that Camden fans and coaches could see coming. There were no real superstars, but there was a wealth and depth of experience and talent that made it a special team. The ’09 team should be typical Camden, except perhaps not as wealthy or as deep (15 seniors have signed to play some sort of college ball), but another state contender. Camden had more good running backs than any team last season, so it’s more important to know that two very good ones – Ean Days and Aundre Johnson – return. The offensive line must be rebuilt, but coaches are quietly confident there. Instead, the main concern is replacing underrated QB Christian Milstead, whose statistics were modest but whose leadership was immense. He’s at the Naval Academy. Milstead’s replacement figures to be Ryan Gregoire or perhaps even a freshman with a nice arm, Bryce Ramsey. On defense, the front eight is solid. Matt Jackson led the team in tackles and sacks last season from his defensive end spot. The secondary, including the ponies who line up most anywhere, are gone. Camden lost about the same number of starters from its 2003 state championship team and went 13-1. Losing just once in 2009 is a lot to ask given the schedule. Camden opens with Grayson on Aug. 22 in the Georgia Dome. But no one is ruling out that Camden could return to the Dome for the state championship game, either.
Groves Rebels
2008 record: 4-6, 3-4 (fifth in region)
Average record this decade: 5-6
Coach: Greg Hunter (first season)
Offense: Spread/option (coordinator: N/A)
Defense: Multiple (coordinator: Greg Hunter)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 2 on defense
Best player: WR/DB D.J. Edwards
Other top players: OL/LB Roy Brown, LB/RB Sam Lowe
Key losses: QB Brandon Jones, RB Maurice Lexley, RB/DB Cliff Taylor, OL/DL Dondai Cuttray, Eric Townsend.
Outlook: Groves could be in store for a rebuilding year with five starters back, but Greg Hunter – a Groves alumnus, and an assistant since 1984, mostly as defensive coordinator – is a popular figure around school who could be the juice the Rebels need. He reported having as many as 70 players working out this summer. It will take some time, though. Senior WR D.J. Edwards was a Region 3-AAAAA first-team selection and provides the Rebels with the only real offensive threat. With little else around, teams will key on Edwards, meaning the Rebels will have to be creative in ways to get him the ball. Junior Chris Cutter will start at quarterback with a strong arm and the ability to take a hit. The inexperienced defense could give up a lot of points.
Jenkins Warriors
2008 record: 2-8, 2-5 (sixth in region)
Average record this decade: 2-8
Coach: Tim Adams (16-24 in four seasons)
Offense: Multiple (coordinator: Seth Gastin)
Defense: Multiple (coordinator: Tim Burke)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: LB Ben Erberle
Other top players: LB Trey Sheppard, RB/LB Robert Jackson
Key losses: None
Outlook: Jenkins had a tough year last year because of the necessity of playing lots of young players, but the upside is that most of those players are back. This team will be led by LB Ben Erberle, also an academic standout with a 4.0 GPA. Erberle, Trey Sheppard and Robert Jackson will make the Jenkins linebacker unit one of the better ones in the area. Head coach Tim Adams thinks the fact that the young players were “thrown to the wolves” last year will make them a better team going forward. If they continue to mature, expect a win total closer to the team’s 2007 output (eight) than last year’s. The Warriors also will get a boost from Bob Herndon, who joined as an assistant after resigning from the head coaching position at Benedictine last year. Herndon has more than 30 years of head coaching experience and 200 wins.
Johnson (Savannah) Atomsmashers
2008 record: 5-6, 4-3 (fourth in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Newnan 55-0 in the first round
Average record this decade: 2-8
Coach: Jamie Baldwin (first season)
Offense: Spread (coordinators: Michael Moore and William Conyers)
Defense: 3-3-5 (coordinator: Jamie Baldwin)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: QB Christian Cooper
Other top players: DE Kareem Clarke, WR-DB Tori Worlds, DE Ashton Adams
Key losses: QB-WR Jareal Smith, WR Rasheen Washington
Outlook: The region’s biggest surprise in 2008, Johnson won’t sneak up on anybody this year. With its 25-game losing streak long behind them, the Atomsmashers look to make another trip to the playoffs. To do so, they’ll have to get over the disappointment of QB/WR Jareal Smith not returning to the team. He decided to focus on basketball. His absence means junior Christian Cooper will take sole possession of the starting job. A year ago Cooper completed 71 of 146 passes for 1,003 yards and 11 touchdowns, though at times he struggled with consistency. In the off-season, Cooper focused on his mechanics and appears ready to lead the offense. He’ll be behind an offensive line that returns completely intact from a year ago. Defensively, Johnson is led by senior defensive end Kareem Clarke (14 sacks, 12 more tackles for losses). Johnson must find a reliable No. 1 runner, a problem dating back to last season.
Savannah Blue Jackets
2008 record: 0-10, 0-7 (eighth in region)
Average record this decade: 2-8
Coach: David Jackson (first year)
Offense: I formation (coordinators: Richard Mattox, Kenneth Brown)
Defense: 50 (coordinator: Eric Brown)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: RB Jamel Green
Other top players: OL/DL Quarzell Taylor.
Key losses: QB-WR-DB RayShaun Leeks, OL/DL Chancellor Hudson, QB-DB Jamal Bowers.
Outlook: Savannah alum David Jackson has his work cut out for him transforming an 0-10 mess into the respectable program the Blue Jackets were when Jackson played in the mid-1980s. After firing former coach and NFL wide receiver Charlie Brown midway through last season, the Blue Jackets fell into disarray and were outscored 201-28 in their final five games. Now Jackson begins work in 2009 with a small roster of just 43 players, only 10 of whom are listed at 6 feet or taller. RB Jamel Green, one of a handful of seniors, gives the Blue Jackets speed and skill in the backfield, but there is precious little of it. Sophomore quarterback Robert Lewis got some snaps last season but is still raw and needs time to mature. James Cooper, a 6-3 junior, is the team’s top receiver. It likely be another long season for the Blue Jackets.
Windsor Forest Knights
2008 record: 5-6, 5-2 (third in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Chapel Hill 23-12 in the first round
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Mike Martin (23-20 in four seasons)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Mike Martin)
Defense: Multiple (Coordinator: Jason Roundtree)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: QB Donovan Campbell
Other top players: WR Misodi Valentine, WR, Demond Grant, C Alvin Collins, T Addison Hayes, T William Powell, DE Justin Gerido, RB Chris Gagson-Butler, LB Rajon Meekins, DB Marcus Lang
Key losses: DB Tae Benson, LB James Mutcherson
Outlook: Three straight seasons of first-round playoff exits have Windsor Forest itchy to get back to the postseason and get the school’s first playoff victory. Should the Knights get back there, they’ll ride the arm and legs of senior quarterback Donovan Campbell, the Region 3-AAAAA offensive player of the year. After throwing for more than 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns and adding 600 more yards on the ground running, he is being recruited by many SEC and ACC schools. The question is how much help he’ll have. The Knights used a running back-by-committee system to mixed results and never established a go-to receiver. Campbell should be well-protected, however, as four offensive linemen return, including four-year starting center Alvin Collins. The defense, which improved over the previous season, returns only four starters, though athletic 6-foot-3, 212-pound DE Justin Gerido is one of the returners.
Class AAAAA Super 11:
On Sunday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, in partnership with Georgia High School Football Daily, will release its 25th Super 11 team, a preseason list of Georgia’s 11 best senior football players.
This week, GHSF Daily has been selecting its Super 11 for each classification. Today we conclude with Class AAAAA.
Remember that these are seniors only:
RB Mack Brown, M.L. King: The state’s best running back, according to most observers. Brown, who has committed to Florida, rushed for more than 1,600 yards in 11 games last season. He’s real fast.
OL/DL Ed Christian, Lowndes: Christian made GHSF Daily’s list of the best five offensive linemen in Georgia. That was before Lowndes coach Randy McPherson told us he was moving Christian to defense. Christian, who has committed to Florida State, is a three-year starter for a team that’s won a few games in that time.
QB Hutson Mason, Lassiter: Mason threw for 3,705 yards in 12 games last season. Can he do it without TE Philip Lutzenkirchen? Regardless, he’ll be better as a senior.
S Alec Ogletree, Newnan: Has there been a more highly rated Georgia safety this decade? Remember that Eric Berry was rated as a cornerback.
RB Ean Pemberton, Grayson: Pemberton rushed for 1,949 yards in leading Grayson to the Class AAAAA semifinals in 2008. At 5 feet, 4 inches, Pemberton is not getting major college offers, but he’s the man in Region 8-AAAAA.
RB Charles Perkins, Collins Hill: His early commitment to Georgia Tech keeps him out of the spotlight. Perkins rushed for more than 1,300 yards on an 8-3 team in Region 7-AAAAA.
DT Garrison Smith, Douglass: In the year of the defensive tackle in Georgia, Smith is considered the best of the lot. Coach Kenny Barrow compares him to former Georgia DT Johnathan Sullivan. Smith has committed to Georgia.
DT Michael Thornton, Stephenson: His coach, Ron Gartrell, calls Thornton the best interior lineman to play at Stephenson. Thornton had 95 tackles last season, 15 for losses. He is the top-rated Georgia player who has not committed, unless it’s …
DT Jeffrey Whitaker, Warner Robins: Whitaker is pals with Georgia’s Abry Jones, though the two played for rival schools in Warner Robins. He’s a consensus top 20 prospect in Georgia.
DT Anthony Williams, Union Grove: Williams was his team’s best player in 2008, when he had 76 tackles, 16 for losses, including one for a safety. Williams committed to Georgia Tech this month.
T David Yankey, Centennial: Yankey graded out 95 percent for Centennial, but his 1,300 SAT score is more impressive. Yankey is committed to Stanford.
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