The following is an excerpt from the August 3 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: 1-AAAA:
What it is: Region 1-AAAA covers the biggest area of any Georgia region and represents the southwest quadrant of the state from around Macon and Columbus in the north to Bainbridge and Thomasville in the south. The region was controversial in 2006 and 2007 because it had only four teams, and each one automatically made the playoffs. For the 2008 and 2009 realignment, it was expanded to have nine teams, and they play a full round-robin. It is 180 miles between the two most distant schools.
Defending champion: Westside (Macon)
Best player: TE/MLB Logan Winkles, Upson-Lee
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
#3 Westside, Macon (12-1, 8-0)
Thomas County Central (8-3, 7-1)
Harris County (6-5, 6-2)
Bainbridge (6-4, 5-3)
Hardaway (5-5, 4-4)
Upson-Lee (3-7, 3-5)
Americus-Sumter (3-7, 2-6)
Jones County (3-7, 1-7)
Lee County (0-10, 0-8)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
Westside, Macon (5/6)
Thomas County Central (5/7)
Bainbridge (6/6)
Harris County (N/A)
Hardaway (9/6)
Upson-Lee (8/8)
Jones County (8/7)
Americus-Sumter (7/7)
Lee County (4/3)
TEAM BY TEAM
Americus-Sumter Panthers
2008 record: 3-7, 2-6 (seventh in region)
Average record this decade: 3-8
Coach: Mark Wilson (11-21 in three seasons)
Offense: I formation/spread (coordinator: Darren Alford)
Defense: 3-4 (coordinator: Kagan McClain)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: DT Jonathan Battle
Other top players: QB Shawn Robinson, RB Jerosski Walton, WR Keon Wiggins, LB Sean Stewart
Key losses: DB Jamie Holloway, WR Zavian Williams
Outlook: Americus-Sumter started six sophomores and three freshmen last season, many on the offensive line. Coach Mark Wilson believes his team will be better simply for being more experienced across the board. His team returns its leading passer (Shawn Robinson), rusher (Jerosski Walton, 600 yards), receiver (Keon Wiggins, 33 receptions) and starting offensive line. That’s a boost for a team that averaged only 14.3 points. On defense, DT Jonathan Battle was first team all-region as a sophomore, and LB Sean Stewart had more than 80 tackles. Depth remains a concern, but Americus-Sumter feels much better about its starting 11 on each side. Still, getting the Panthers back to the level of those Americus teams prior to the Americus-Sumter merger will require patience. It’s also a small school on the border of AAAA/AAA. “Look at any school that went together – Ware County, it took them awhile. Upson-Lee is another,” Wilson says. “I think we’ll be a year older and better.”
Bainbridge Bearcats
2008 record: 6-4, 5-3 (fourth in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Brunswick 34-20 in the first round
Average record this decade: 6-5
Coach: Ed Pilcher (6-4 in one season)
Offense: Split-back veer (coordinator: Leonard Guyton)
Defense: Multiple 8-man (coordinator Tommy Gilstrap)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: QB Rohan Gaines
Other top players: RB Thomas Smiley, OL Jackson Kendrick, TE Markeith Crispen, WR Sylvester Byrd, WR James Hudson, LB Brandon Lindsey, DB Shawn Samuels DB, DT Kenny Jacobs, DT Quatavius Middleton, DE Mike Gordon, DB Jonathan Warren
Key losses: WR Melzie Johnson, DB/KR Marquise Williams, G Ben Reynolds, T Jaron Ousley
Outlook: It’s year two under Ed Pilcher, the five-time state champion from Thomas County Central who came to Bainbridge last season. Year one was disappointing, but the team played its best ball over the second half of the season, which suggests the team is beginning to take to Pilcher’s style and his veer offense. Graduation losses were substantial. Bainbridge will go without two first team all-region offensive linemen, the region’s leading receiver (Melzie Johnson), the region’s best return man (Marquise Williams) and three other players who were second team all-region. But the quarterback spot is critical in this offense, and Pilcher feels good about Rohan Gaines (900 yards passing in just six games last season, 1,100 yards of total offense). The top RB will be Thomas Smiley (650 yards rushing), a cousin of former Thomas Central back Debrale Smiley. On defense, DT Quatavius Middleton was second team all-region last season, and LB Brandon Lindsey started as a sophomore. On paper, the team figures to be about the same, but gut feel and the sound of Pilcher’s voice point to a much improved team in ’09.
Hardaway Golden Hawks
2008 record: 5-5, 4-4 (fifth in region)
Average record this decade: 5-5
Coach: Jeff Battles (5-5 in one season)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Jonathan Gibson)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Hunter Jackson)
Starters returning: 9 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: QB Marcus Smith
Other top players: WR Austin Scott, DB D’andre Toney, LB Chauncey Guess, DL John Herndon, PK Evan Scott
Key losses: LB Jarquise Buford (Virginia Union), LB Richey Scott (Chowan), DB Danoris Scott
Outlook: The Golden Hawks missed the playoffs by one game last year, losing four region games to the four playoff participants (close ones to No. 3 Harris County and No. 4 Bainbridge). This season, Hardaway will try to capitalize on 15 returning starters and perhaps the region’s most dynamic player in QB/ATH Marcus Smith (1,302 yards passing). At 6 feet 4, 220 pounds, Smith has a strong arm and a little running ability. He will line up out wide occasionally. Florida has offered him as a quarterback, and several other big schools are recruiting him as a WR/TE. Helping him on offense will be WR Austin Scott, a junior who had touchdowns rushing and receiving and returning kicks and punts last season. According to head coach Jeff Battles, the lines will have to be better on both sides for the Golden Hawks to push for the playoffs, but the skill players are talented and experienced, if a little young in some spots. PK Evan Scott was first team all-region last season. He had 28 touchbacks.
Jones County Greyhounds
2008 record: 3-7, 1-7 (eighth in region)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Dwight Jones (3-7 in one season)
Offense: Wing-T/one-back spread (coordinator: Lee Hamner)
Defense: 3-5-3 (coordinator: Jessie McMillan)
Starters returning: 8 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: RB/DB Terrance Gore
Other top players: C/DE Rashad Norman, OT/DT Adrian Marsh, OT/DT Stephen Crosby, LB Chase Lundy, CB/S Cody Lanford, DE/OG Oscar Simmons, CB/S Cory Solomon
Key losses: QB Jake Robertson (Birmingham Southern), DB Devon Pace
Outlook: The centerpiece this year will be speedy RB/DB Terrance Gore, who is small in stature (5-8, 160) but a warrior in the weight room (squat 390, power clean 365). The senior had more than 1,000 total yards rushing and receiving last season. He is getting interest from a number of ACC and SEC schools. The team also has two college prospects on the offensive line in C Rashad Norman and T Adrian Marsh, both seniors. The line only lost one starter. The quarterback will be Cody Evans, a junior. On defense, leading tackler LB Chase Lundy returns. Jones County has not made the playoffs since 2004, but with a lot of experience and athleticism returning, second-year coach Dwight Jones believes his team has a shot. The region opener Sept. 11 against Harris County will be big.
Lee County Trojans
2008 record: 0-10, 0-8 (ninth in region)
Average record this decade: 3-8
Coach: Dean Fabrizio (first season)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Mike Chastain)
Defense: 3-3 (coordinator: Dean Fabrizio)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 3 on defense
Best player: RB Danny McCray
Other top players: RB Denzell Eckles, OL Calvin Johnson, LB Jarred Strength
Key losses: DE Colten Glover, OL Keanon Metz
Outlook: There aren’t enough starters returning for a prediction other than last place for Lee, but a new coach brings hope. First-time head coach Dean Fabrizio comes to Lee County from Peach County, where he was defensive coordinator. He will try to bring a bit of that winning mentality to Leesburg, where the Trojans have experienced six winning seasons since their first year of football in 1971. Fabrizio has a bit of offensive talent to work with, as senior RB Danny McCray returns to a backfield that will also feature standout junior Denzell Eckles, who made second team all-region as a return specialist (25-yard average on kick returns, 25.6 on punts). McCray is capable of breaking big runs, as evidenced by a 61-yard TD run against Dutchtown and a 56-yard TD run against Hardaway. On defense, LB Jarred Strength led the team in tackles last season with 70.
Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets
2008 record: 8-3, 7-1 (second in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Ware County 21-3 in the first round
Average record this decade: 9-3
Coach: Bill Shaver (8-3 in one season)
Offense: Split-back veer (coordinator: Sam Holland)
Defense: 4-4 (coordinator: Cliff Heard)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: DE Caleb Heard
Other top players: DE Ray Drew, OLB Chris Shiver, ILB Greg Wolf, FS Reshard Cliett, RB Curtis Brooks, WR Eric Hollis, OL Ryan Parmer, OL Nick Glass
Key losses: OL Steven Powell (Shorter), DT Dwight Williams (Univ. of the Cumberlands), RB Shawn Bryant (Cumberlands), QB Taylor Payne (Valdosta State)
Outlook: After more than a decade as the offensive coordinator, Bill Shaver took over as head coach after Ed Pilcher left for archrival Bainbridge last season. The team once again made the playoffs, but Shaver is quick to note that a first-round exit falls a bit short of Central’s standards. The team will use a platoon at quarterback to replace Taylor Payne (1,100 yards passing), with juniors Eric Dodson and Eric McCraw offering good speed for the run-dominated offense. Dodson is the more polished passer, and McCraw will play some at wide receiver. RB Shawn Bryant (928 yards rushing, 17 TDs) is gone, but RB Curtis Brooks should be one of the region’s better backs. On defense, junior DE Ray Drew has five SEC offers, according to Shaver, and should gain more notoriety this season. LB Chris Shiver (team-leading 86 tackles) was first team all-region as an all-purpose defensive player. DE Caleb Heard has been first team all-region the past two seasons. TCC was one of the schools to host a Midnight Madness for the fall’s first practice on Saturday, starting at 12:01 a.m. Shaver said the turnout was well over 1,000.
Upson-Lee Knights
2008 record: 3-7, 3-5 (sixth in region)
Average record this decade: 5-5
Coach: Tommy Watson (3-7 in one season)
Offense: Split-back veer (coordinator: Justin Elder)
Defense: 4-3 multiple (coordinator: Nelson Hall)
Starters returning: 8 on offense, 8 on defense
Best player: TE/MLB Logan Winkles
Other top players: FS/WR/QB Antonio Copeland, RB/DB Donterrius Harris, OT/DT Tunde Fariyike
Key losses: C Taylor Tamka, RB Dare Coker
Outlook: The Knights had only three or four seniors starting last season, and the results were indicative of a young team. Upson-Lee lost a lot of talent after the ’07 season, a campaign in which the Knights beat Griffin and almost knocked off powerhouse Northside of Warner Robins, and the program is still rebuilding depth. The team’s most important piece is TE/MLB Logan Winkles, an N.C. State commit who was a first team all-state selection with 83 tackles, five sacks and six forced fumbles as a linebacker. Also getting a lot of college attention is senior two-way lineman Tunde Fariyike, who has 12-15 Division I offers, according to head coach Tommy Watson. In Watson’s eyes, the team is solid in the secondary and on the defensive line. Throwing and catching the ball are areas that need improvement. Junior QB Tae Matthews’s continued development will be the key to Upson-Lee’s success. With the current staff in place for more than a year now, the program expects to improve its win total.
Westside (Macon) Seminoles
2008 record: 12-1, 8-0 (region champions)
Playoffs: Lost to Tucker 31-20 in the quarterfinals
Average record this decade: 9-3
Coach: Sheddrick Risper (first season)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Joe Dupree)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Hosea Laney)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: WR Ronnie Carswell
Other top players: RB Robert Brown, OT Dorian Byrd, FB Adrian Bentley, QB Cameron Jones, FS DeAnthony Green
Key losses: LB Julian Burnett (Georgia Tech), FB Marcus Wilson, QB Orrin McFadden (Jacksonville State – baseball), WR Danny Madison
Outlook: Sheddrick Risper, who has spent 12 years with the program and most recently served as the middle school athletics director and eighth-grade head coach, takes over for the legendary Robert Davis, who retired as the second winningest head coach in Georgia high school history (behind Lincoln County’s Larry Campbell). Risper takes over a team coming off one of its best seasons ever. The defense was phenomenal, posting five shutouts and allowing 10 points only twice (to Jonesboro and Tucker in rounds two and three of the playoffs, respectively). There will be no replacing MLB Julian Burnett, who set the all-time school tackles record and will play at Georgia Tech this year. Five other Westside players made first team all-region on defense. Two return – DE LB Carlos Cave and DB DeAnthony Green (N.C. State commitment). The offense will be led by new QB Cameron Jones, a senior with game experience. Gone are QB Orrin McFadden (1,188 yards passing), WR Danny Madison (34 catches, 683 yards) and a couple of first team all-region linemen, but star RB Robert Brown (1,054 yards in the regular season) and WR Ronnie Carswell, who committed to Alabama, are back. Westside’s kicking game is a concern. It will be hard for Westside to be as good as last season, when the team was ranked No. 1 for a time, but enough key pieces are back to make the Seminoles the region favorite.
NOTE: GHSF Daily was unable to reach the coaching staff at Harris County. We will run a complete preview for the Tigers later this week.
Region Preview: 2-AAAA:
What it is: Region 2 consists of the seven Class AAAA schools nearest the coast in southeast Georgia. The teams play a round-robin schedule to determine the four playoff berths.
Defending champion: Brunswick
Best player: WR/DB Josh Coleman, Brunswick
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
#10 Brunswick (9-3, 6-0)
#6 Statesboro (11-2, 5-1)
Ware County (6-6, 4-2)
Glynn Academy (5-6, 3-3)
South Effingham (6-4, 2-4)
Wayne County (1-9, 1-5)
Effingham County (2-8, 0-6)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
Brunswick (7/7)
Statesboro (3/4)
Ware County (N/A)
South Effingham (6/7)
Glynn Academy (3/3)
Effingham County (8/5)
Wayne County (7/4)
TEAM BY TEAM
Brunswick Pirates
2008 record: 9-3, 6-0 (region champions)
Playoffs: Lost to Griffin 34-30 in the second round
Average record this decade: 5-6
Coach: Victor Floyd (9-3 in one season)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Victor Floyd)
Defense: 3-5 (coordinator: Will Mitchell)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: WR/DB Josh Coleman
Other top players: OL/DE James Hall, OL Clifton Robbins, QB Chris Anderson, WR Demarius Dawson, LB Tremaine Eaves, WR/CB Justin Coleman
Key losses: WR/DB Darius Slay (Mississippi State), RB Harold Small (Campbellsville), QB Davis Hoyt (Olivette University), WR Wesley Smith (Iowa Western)
Outlook: In Victor Floyd’s first season, the Pirates upset Statesboro 30-29 in the regular-season finale, which gave them the region title. Most of the starters are back, making Statesboro the favorite again. The trouble will be replacing RB Harold Small (1,551 yards rushing) and region MVP Darius Slay (15 touchdowns – three rushing, six receiving, three on kickoffs, two on interceptions and one on a punt return). Also gone is the starting QB, Davis Hoyt (1,903 yards passing, 22 TDs). The new QB, Chris Anderson, will be a dual-threat player in Floyd’s spread system. He’ll have WR Josh Coleman (more than 1,000 yards receiving last season) to throw to. The defense will be headlined by Coleman at DB and Tremaine Eaves, the team’s top tackler a year ago, at LB. Junior CB Justin Coleman is a Division I prospect for the 2011 class. The Pirates are deep and athletic; WR/CB Coleman will be the only two-way starter. If Brunswick can run the ball effectively in the absence of Small, this should be a Top 10 team.
Effingham County Rebels
2008 record: 2-8, 0-6 (seventh in region)
Average record this decade: 6-5
Coach: Jack Webb (19-22 in four seasons)
Offense: Wishbone (coordinator: Wayne Munch)
Defense: 50 (coordinator: Mitch Nobles)
Starters returning: 8 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: RB Michael Johnson
Other top players: C Brandon Stevenson, QB Dalton Couey, TE Radley Clements, DE Ijon Bedford, DT Andrew Perry, LB Royce Best, LB Casey Herrington, DE Terry Smith
Key losses: DL Cedric Taylor
Outlook: The Rebels’ two wins in 2008 were the fewest in 25 years. Effingham almost certainly will be better with most of its starters back on offense, including QB Dalton Couey (28-of-67, 387 yards) and all-region running back Michael Johnson (941 yards rushing, seven touchdowns). Also watch for RB Dyone Youmans, who rushed for 148 yards until injured in the third game last season. Brandon Stevenson could be the region’s best center. Effingham never broke 15 points in a region game last season, so more points are mandatory. On defense, the front seven is experienced, but the secondary must be replaced entirely.
Glynn Academy Terrors
2008 record: 5-6, 3-3 (fourth in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Westside (Macon) 49-6 in the first round
Average record this decade: 5-5
Coach: Rob Ridings (32-21 in five seasons)
Offense: Spread Wing-T (coordinator: Josh Veal)
Defense: 4-4 (coordinator: Willis Yates, Curtis Crews)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 3 on defense
Best player: QB Chad Sanders
Other top players: RB Trent Murray, SE Patrick Mickey, FS Bobby Harrington, LB Cody Harris, Pony LB James Brack, PK/P Knox Delaney, KO Ben Fendig
Key losses: T Thomas Vonasheck (Wyoming), RB Jarre Hall (Valdosta State), DB Brandon Morton (Shorter), DB Milton Thorpe (Valdosta State), LB Jamel Davis (GMC), DL Mark Graham (GMC)
Outlook: Seven players signed off last season’s team, leaving Glynn with a young team. Rob Ridings’ team will have offensive and defensive lines manned entirely by juniors. The coach feels pretty good about the skill positions. QB Chad Sanders, who threw for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore, is back after playing in only four games last season. Sanders, RB Jarre Hall and the starting fullback were injured in the first three games last season, and only Sanders returned. “We were basically playing with a JV backfield for six games and managed to get 5-5,” Ridings said. This season, six or seven juniors are starting on both sides. RB Trent Murray (909 yards rushing) is back. He was first team all-region last season. Glynn’s kickers are good. Knox Delaney is rated the No. 4 kicker in Georgia by ProKicker.com, Ray Guy’s Web site. Ben Fendig does the kickoffs and puts about 40 percent in the end zone. If Glynn Academy’s linemen develop quickly, it could be a good season. If not, Ridings likes his junior-oriented team for the future.
South Effingham Mustangs
2008 record: 6-4, 2-4 (fifth in region)
Average record this decade: 6-5
Coach: Greg Manior (19-12 in three seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Kerry Demere)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Donnie Revell)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: RB/FS Frank Manker
Other top players: OL/DL Tyler Jenkins, LB Hunter Barnes, OT/DE Thomas Reams, DB Cody Turner, QB Robby Collum, DE/OT Michael Woodward, LB Ezekiel McCray
Key losses: OT Brandon Huzzins
Outlook: The Mustangs finished fifth last season but were a ways away from playoff contention after losing by at least 25 points to the top four teams. Now, head coach Greg Manior will shoot for the playoffs after missing out the past two years (despite 6-4 records both times). He thinks his deep senior class has the talent and leadership to make a push. Region 2-AAAA honored 39 players on its all-region team last season. Of the 13 who return, four play for South Effingham – RB Frank Manker, OL Tyler Jenkins, LB Tanner Burch and DL Thomas Reams. Manker, also the free safety, is the catalyst for the team, running for more than 900 yards last season with 12 TDs and also had four interceptions. He has 4.4 speed and is getting looks from some SEC and ACC schools. QB Robby Collum is a “winner,” as Manior puts it. Collum is also a state-champion wrestler for the storied South Effingham program. The Mustangs will be strong along the lines of scrimmage.
Statesboro Blue Devils
2008 record: 11-2, 5-1 (second in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Rome 41-21 in the quarterfinals
Average record this decade: 11-2
Coach: Steve Pennington (56-9 in five seasons)
Offense: Wishbone (coordinator: Kenny Tucker)
Defense: 50 (coordinator: Charlie Fales)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: C Charles Emert
Other top players: OT Darrell Harris, S Joe Collins
Key losses: QB Luke Connell, DE Willie Burden (Georgia Southern), K Graden Bozeman (Georgia Southern)
Outlook: Statesboro has averaged 11 victories in Steve Pennington’s five seasons and won a state title in 2005, but heavy graduation losses make this team resemble those that made first-round exits in 2006 and 2007. Six first team all-region players graduated, and only seven starters are back. The rock on offense will be C Charles Emert, a 6-foot-2, 260-pounder who is committed to Furman. He’s made the all-region team two years in a row. Joining him on the offensive line will be T Darrell Harris, who is also getting collegiate attention. It will be tough to replace three-year starting QB Luke Connell, and K Graden Bozeman had two 49-yard game-winning field goals last season.
Wayne County Yellow Jackets
2008 record: 1-9, 1-5 (sixth in region)
Average record this decade: 5-6
Coach: Mark Daniel (1-9 in one season)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Dan Burns)
Defense: Slant 50 (coordinator: Vic Parker)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: QB Parker Welch
Other top players: DE/OLB Alvin Davis, DB/WR Demauro Turner, FB/DL Tyler Newsome, RB Lorenzo Larry, OT Cole Copeland
Key losses: TE/LB Avery Coleman, LB Michael Formey
Outlook: Wayne County is in the worst stretch in its history – three straight seasons of 1-9. Mark Daniel, who had won the Class AAA title at Screven County in 2002, is early in the process of fixing things. He has a highly regarded quarterback with Parker Welch, who is receiving interest from a number of Division I schools, including Georgia as a preferred walk-on. Welch (6-3, 190) is a pro-style quarterback who doesn’t run much in the Yellow Jackets’ Wing-T offense. RB Lorenzo Larry, a sophomore, came on in spring and looks to be the favorite to get most of the carries. On defense, DE/OLB Alvin Davis is a next-level prospect fielding offers from Southern Mississippi, Troy, Middle Tennessee and Georgia State. He was a first team all-region linebacker last season. There just aren’t enough of those kinds of players for Wayne County to improve drastically this season, but a few more victories would be a start.
NOTE: GHSF Daily was unable to reach the coaching staff at Ware County. We will run a complete preview for the Gators later this week.
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