The following is an excerpt from the July 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 3-A PREVIEW
What it is: Region 3-A region is a 13-team region in the southeast Georgia triangle from Macon to Augusta to Savannah. It is split into East and West divisions. On Nov. 6, the top four teams from each subregion will play each other (1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3), with the four winners advancing to the state playoffs.
Defending champion: Emanuel County Institute
Best player: RB Cartell McLendon, Treutlen
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
East
Savannah Christian (10-2, 5-0)
Savannah Country Day (5-6, 3-2)
Claxton (6-4, 3-2)
Calvary Day (4-6, 2-3)
Portal (1-9, 1-4)
Bryan County (2-8, 1-4)
West
#2 Emanuel County Institute (14-1, 6-0)
Johnson County (9-2, 5-1)
Treutlen (6-4, 3-3)
Metter (4-6, 3-3)
Jenkins County (4-6, 3-3)
Montgomery County (3-7, 1-5)
Wheeler County (0-10, 0-6)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
East
Savannah Christian (4 total)
Claxton (8/9)
Savannah Country Day (5/6))
Calvary Day (12 total)
Bryan County (8/8)
Portal (6/6)
West
Emanuel County Institute (7/7)
Johnson County (N/A)
Treutlen (7/8)
Metter (9/8)
Jenkins County (12 total)
Montgomery County (6 total)
Wheeler County (N/A)
TEAM BY TEAM
East
Bryan County Redskins
2008 record: 2-8, 1-4 (fifth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 3-7
Coach: Ron Lewis (27- 84 in 11 seasons)
Offense: Wishbone (coordinator: Blake Nesmith)
Defense: 5-2 (coordinator: Morgan Jersey)
Starters returning: 8 on offense, 8 on defense
Best player: FB/NT Joseph Jenkins
Other top players: FS/ SE Willie Deloach
Key losses: FS Ivey Richardson
Outlook: It has been a rough road for Bryan County, which hasn’t reached the playoffs or had a winning season since 1991, but the bulk of last year’s team is back. This year, the Redskins will try to turn things around with FB Joseph Jenkins leading the offense. Willie Deloach will try to fill the void left by FS Ivey Richardson. It will be a tough early schedule, as they will face ECI in their third game and Savannah Christian a couple of weeks later, but if the key players can stay healthy, they can give those teams a run for their money this time.
Calvary Day Cavaliers
2008 record: 4-6, 2-3 (fourth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 5-5
Coach: Mark Stroud (4-6 in one season)
Offense: Multiple option
Defense: 4-3
Starters returning: 12 total
Best player: WR/DB Dom Damasi
Other top players: WR/DB Lee Oglesby, OL/DL Cody Meyers, TE Seth Rogers, LB/ RB Ross Howard, RB/DB Stephen Williams
Key losses: LB John Curry, QB Seth Stroud
Outlook: A record of 4-6 may not be the goal for most teams, but for Calvary Day it’s a step in the right direction as the team’s win total in 2008 was twice as much as the previous two seasons combined. The Cavaliers should improve more in 2009 as they have a slew of key players back in the mix. WR/DB Dom Damasi led the team with five interceptions, and RB/DB Stephen Williams led the team in scoring with six touchdowns. OL/DL Cody Meyers will lead an experienced offensive line, and the defense led by Damasi will be improved despite losing its leading tackler from last season, LB John Curry.
Claxton Tigers
2008 record: 6-4, 3-2 (second in subregion)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Allen Cartwright (10-20-1 in three seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Allen Yancey)
Defense: 50 (coordinator: Patrick Hendrix)
Starters returning: 8 on offense, 9 on defense
Best player: RB Jamalcolm Morgan
Other top players: OL Anthyony Lewis, TE/DE Chris Bellamy, QB Michael Peel, LB Tevin Mincey, LB Tray Bacon, DE Sherrod Johnson, FS Xavier Slater
Key losses: RB Felles Grant, OL Mac Edwards, DB Antoine Freeman.
Outlook: In his third season, head coach Allen Cartwright delivered a winning team. The six victories were the most since 2002. Now, the team is poised for the next step – the playoffs. RB Jamalcolm Morgan has rushed for more than 1,100 yards each of the past two seasons. RT Anthony Morgan, another all-region candidate, was the winner of the GACA state weightlifting “strong man” award. He can squat 680 pounds. Claxton won the state weightlifting title in Class A. On defense, the top two tacklers, LB Tevin Mincey and Tray Bacon, are back. Claxton lacks great speed and a breakaway threat on offense, but is experienced and tough in the trenches and running the ball.
Portal Panthers
2008 record: 1-9, 1-4 (fifth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Justin Chester (6-25 in three seasons)
Offense: Multiple Wing-T (coordinator: Cherrard Freeman)
Defense: 50 (coordinator: Justin Chester)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: LB Jarrell Robinson
Other top players: CB/FL Casey Ware, RB/DB Chase Sheffield
Key losses: RB Joseph Ware, QB/RB/FS Stephen Cox, OL Joe Brown, OL Parker Goodman
Outlook: A pair of 1-9 seasons prompted coach Justin Chester and staff to do some soul-searching. One area that’s gotten much attention in the offseason is the strength-and-conditioning program. Portal lost four starters on the offensive line, so muscle will be in demand. Also gone is leading rusher Joseph Ware (1,100 yards), but Chester feels good about his running backs and his defense, which is led by LB Jarrell Robinson, the team’s top tackler and an outstanding student who is getting a few looks from some mid-major Division I-A schools. Portal also is solid at defensive end and cornerback. Losing Stephen Cox, a first-team all-region athlete, is tough.
Savannah Christian Raiders
2008 record: 10-2, 5-0 (first in subregion)
Playoffs: Lost to Miller County 20-13 in the second round
Average record this decade: 6-4
Coach: Donald Chumley (35-11 in four seasons)
Offense: Double wing option (coordinator: Hunter Chadwick)
Defense: Multiple (coordinator: Kevin Jackson)
Starters returning: 8 total
Best player: FB Christopher Bonwell
Other top players: OL Charlie Ferrell, DL John Burke, LB Erik Wickham, OL Ben McMahon, LB Brandon Sumner
Key losses: QB Cade Ellis, LB/RB Chad Bowen, DL John Burke
Outlook: For the past three seasons, Savannah Christian has been among the elite in Region 3-A, winning 29 games and one region title. Each time, the Raiders have lost in the second round of the state playoffs. Only eight starters return, but this is now an established program that figures not to drop off much. The Raiders lost QB Cade Ellis to graduation, but FB Christopher Bonwell is back and looks to have another great season. He rushed for more than 1,600 yards and was named Region 3-A Player of the Year. He will have an experienced line protecting him, as Charlie Ferrell and Ben McMahon will continue to make holes for him. Linebacker Erick Wickham will anchor an extremely stingy defense.
Savannah Country Day Hornets
2008 record: 5-6, 3-2 (second in subregion)
Playoffs: Lost to Brookstone 28-3 in the first round
Average record this decade: 5-5
Coach: Dennis Coyle (first season at Savannah County Day)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Dan Garofano)
Defense: Multiple (coordinator: Dennis Coyle)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: QB Tate O’Connor
Other top players: WR/DB Chris Owens, RB/DB Josh Murphy, QB Cord Glaize, RB/DB Morris Watson
Key losses: OL/DL Fred Wisenbaker, OL/LB Tyler Harden, WR/DB Ben Watson
Outlook: Consistency has been the key for Savannah Country Day, as the Hornets have reached the playoffs the past six seasons. They will look to make it seven in a row but will have to do it with a new head coach, Dennis Coyle, who has coached for 13 years in high schools around Cincinnati. He should have an experienced team, however, as quarterbacks Tate O’Connor and Cord Glaize will be back to lead the offense. Both rotated in the starting lineup last year, and combined they threw for more than 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns. On defense, linebacker Josh Murphy, who amassed 81 tackles last season, will be back.
West
Emanuel County Institute Bulldogs
2008 record: 14-1, 6-0 (region champion)
Playoffs: Lost to Wesleyan 33-21 in the state final
Average record this decade: 7-3
Coach: Milan Turner (45-7 in four seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Chad Simmons)
Defense: 3-4 (coordinator: Chris Kerson)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: QB Michael Robertson
Other top players: OL Dylan Turner, FB/SE Brooks Kirkland
Key losses: RB Washaun Ealey (Georgia), LB J.C. Lanier (Georgia Tech), LB Mark Flott (Wofford), LB/DE Dexter Moody
Outlook: Sure, the Bulldogs lost players such as Washaun Ealey (the state’s all-time touchdowns leader), J.C. Lanier and Dexter Moody, but they’re still the team to beat in the region and a state contender. QB Michael Robertson is back and has lost only one game as a starter. Another player to watch is FB Brooks Kirkland, who is a downfield runner and can catch the ball out of the backfield. OL/LB Corey Ellison also returns; he was second on the team in sacks last year with four. Coach Milan Turner says he has his best and deepest freshman class, so expect to see ECI as a factor statewide for the next few years.
Jenkins County Eagles
2008 record: 4-6, 3-3 (fifth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 2-8
Coach: Chuck Conley (11-29 in four seasons)
Offense: I-formation (coordinator: Chuck Conley)
Defense: 50 (coordinator: Windel Clark)
Starters returning: 12 total
Best player: RB/DB Andre DeJesus
Other top players: DE Walter Ivy, DL Jon Taylor, LB Spencer Clark, LB Clemain Lane, QB Will Grayson
Key losses: DB Trevor Willesby, TE Hunter Bowers, OL Jacob Lewis, OL A.J. Jenkins
Outlook: The Eagles have not had a winning season since 1999 and have won only one region title in their history. It’s always a tough road with the competition they have to face in Region 3-A, but with the players they have coming back, they will have a chance to have their first winning season in 10 years. RB/DB Andre DeJesus is a versatile player who will be the X-factor. Also, head coach Chuck Conley is expecting great things out of QB Will Grayson and DE Walter Ivy.
Johnson County Trojans
2008 record: 9-2, 5-1 (second in subregion)
Playoffs: Lost to Schley County 13-12 in the first round
Average record this decade: 8-2
Coach: Don Norton (15-7 in two seasons)
Offense: N/A
Defense: N/A
Starters returning: N/A
Best player: RB Larry Taylor
Other top players: QB D.J. Rozier, WR Zack Walker
Key losses: WR Daniel Wright
Outlook: Last season, the Trojans suffered one regular-season loss, and that was to Class A runner-up ECI. Expect big things from the Trojans this season because WR Zach Walker will be back to make more dynamic plays. Walker led the team in receiving yards (560) and receiving touchdowns (nine). D.J. Rozier, a dangerous roll-out passer and runner, had 20 touchdown passes last year. He and ECI’s Michael Robertson are the best at their position in the region. This is a super-fast team that many believe is ready to win a region title with coach Don Norton in his third season.
Metter Tigers
2008 record: 4-6, 3-3 (fourth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 6-4
Coach: Clay Hill (4-26 in three seasons)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Craig Davis)
Defense: Shade 50 (coordinator: Dwayne Davis)
Starters returning: 9 on defense, 8 on offense
Best player: LB Jonathan Soles
Other top players: DE Devin Dekle, WR Dean Eastland, WR Kyle Smith, QB Pete Nagle
Key losses: QB Blake Williams, RB Geoffrey Thurmond
Outlook: Head coach Clay Hill has to be proud of his team’s progress in 2008. The Tigers won only four games, but in 2007 and in 2006, they went 0-10. Things are looking up for this once-proud program, which should have the players to make a playoff run. One of the key areas of concern is the quarterback position, as 2008 starter Blake Williams was lost to graduation. But Hill expects big things out of Pete Nagle, who will take over under center. LB Jonathan Soles will be back to anchor an experienced defense along with DE Devin Dekle.
Montgomery County Eagles
2008 record: 3-7, 1-5 (sixth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 2-8
Coach: Greg Busby (3-7 in one season)
Offense: Wishbone (coordinator: Greg Busby)
Defense: 50 (coordinator: Eric McDonald)
Starters returning: 6 total
Best player: QB Derrian Brantley
Other top players: LB Dalton Fountain, DB Jamar Snead, DB JaMichael Snead
Key losses: LB Casey Woods, TE/LB Brook Johnson
Outlook: Montgomery County is another school looking to get out of the bottom of the region and will try to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1989. Few starters will be back for the Greg Busby-coached team, but two players to watch for are twins JaMichael and Jamar Snead. Both start at cornerback and will be key on defense. QB Derrian Brantley will need to progress quickly if the Eagles want to shake up the region and get back on the winning track.
Treutlen Vikings
2008 record: 6-4, 3-3 (third in subregion)
Average record this decade: 3-7
Coach: Britt Ingle (20-33 in five seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Britt Ingle)
Defense: 3-5 (coordinator: Dwight Love)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 8 on defense
Best player: RB Cartell McLendon
Other top players: QB R.J. Dennard, LB Chris Howell, FB Devon Smith
Key losses: OL/DL Patrick Love, OL/LB Akeem Culver
Outlook: Treutlen had its first winning season since 1998 last year and missed the state playoffs in the final seconds in a region playoff against Savannah Country Day. This team will be better as only four seniors are gone, and two of those rarely played. RB Cartell McLendon rushed for more than 1,500 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. He’s the successor to Washaun Ealey as Region 3-A’s best running back. QB R.J. Dennard had a solid year in 2008 with 10 touchdowns and just five interceptions. The defense will have to do without Patrick Love and Akeem Culver, but MLB Chris Howell was the leading tackler as a sophomore. Jekori Mills, the team’s best receiver, left the team in spring and might not return.
Wheeler County Bulldogs
2008 record: 0-10, 0-6 (seventh in subregion)
Average record this decade: 2-8
Coach: Eli Dupree (7-43 in five seasons)
Offense: N/A (coordinator: Eli Dupree)
Defense: N/A (coordinator: Randy Collins)
Starters returning: N/A
Best player: RB Jordon Browning
Other top players: DB Tony Tillman
Key losses: RB/DB Brandon Lemon, OL/LB Kevin Carey
Outlook: Wheeler County is a small school with a well-respected coach. The Bulldogs have won only two games over the past three years and lost their best player, RB/DB Brandon Lemon, to graduation. But the Bulldogs should be more competitive because Jordon Browning, the team’s leading rusher last season, will be back. Browning rushed for more than 600 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, DB Tony Tillman will be a key player, as he was third on the team in tackles (47) and led in interceptions (two) last year.
REGION 4-A PREVIEW
What it is: Region 4 is made up of Class A schools within 50 miles of Columbus. One school, Webster County, dropped varsity football last month, making it a nine-team region. State playoff qualifiers are decided by a full round-robin schedule.
Defending champion: Brookstone
Best player: RB/LB Brewton McCluskey, Brookstone
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
#9 Brookstone (11-1, 9-0)
Schley County (8-4, 7-2)
Chattahoochee County (8-3, 7-2)
Greenville (8-3, 7-2)
Marion County (6-4, 5-4)
Pacelli (4-6, 4-5)
Taylor County (3-7, 3-6)
Central, Talbotton (2-8, 2-7)
Stewart County (1-9, 1-8)
Webster County (0-10, 0-9)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
Brookstone (7/6)
Greenville (8/7)
Pacelli (7/9)
Marion County (6/5)
Chattahoochee County (7 total)
Schley County (5/5)
Central, Talbotton (5/4)
Taylor County (5/4)
Stewart County (8/8)
TEAM BY TEAM
Brookstone Cougars
2008 record: 11-1, 9-0 (region champion)
Playoffs: Lost to Turner County 20-14 in the second round
Average record this decade: 7-4
Coach: Blair Harrison (50-20 in six seasons)
Offense: Wing T (coordinator: Blair Harrison)
Defense: 50 base, multiple (coordinator: Brian Osborne)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: RB/LB Brewton McCluskey
Top players: TE Brian Vogler, RB Milton McCluskey, OL Jasper Mason
Key losses: OL Carter Galbraith
Outlook: Brookstone has averaged nine wins over the past five seasons, but this is the first time one of coach Blair Harrison’s teams has returned its quarterback (Jake Howard), top running back (Milton McCluskey), leading receiver (Brian Vogler), best lineman (Jasper Martin) and best defender (Brewton McCluskey). “It has a chance to be the best team I’ve had at Brookstone,” Harrison says. “The ingredients are there. It’s almost scary how all the pieces are coming together.” The only real issue is depth. The backup quarterback is a freshman, for example. But otherwise, this is easily a Top 10 team in Class A. Brewton McCluskey (more than 900 yards rushing and 100 tackles) was the region player of the year, and he’ll have a tough time repeating as team MVP on this squad.
Chattahoochee County Panthers
2008 record: 8-3, 7-2 (second in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Savannah Christian 18-8 in the first round
Average record this decade: 6-4
Coach: Josh Kemp (19-14 in 3 seasons)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Josh Kemp)
Defense: 4-4 hybrid (coordinator: Mike McManus)
Starters returning: 7 total
Best player: RB/DB Niko Jones
Other top players: WR/DB Teddy Gibson, RB/LB Tyquan Bazemore, LB Robert Cooper, OL/DL Brandon Shillig
Key losses: QB Caleb Horvath
Outlook: In their fourth season as a program, the Panthers look to continue progressing after making their first appearance in the state playoffs last season. Helping to make success a tradition at Chattahoochee County, the Panthers look to a group of talented seniors – RB Niko Jones (rushed for more than 2,000 yards, 20 touchdowns last season), WR/DB Teddy Jones (more than 1,000 yards receiving), and RB/LB Tyquan Bazemore (rushed for more than 900 yards), all of whom were all-state as juniors. Other crucial players will be Robert Cooper, an all-state LB (132 tackles) who is versatile on defense, and Brandon Shillig, the returning center.
Greenville Patriots
2008 record: 8-3, 7-2 (third in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Emanuel County Institute 51-8 in the first round
Average record this decade: 5-5
Coach: Jeremy Williams (36-36 in seven seasons)
Offense: Spread option (coordinator: Jeremy Williams)
Defense: Base 50 (coordinator: Tripp Busby)
Starters returning: 8 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: DE Kenarious Gates
Other top players: FS Demetris Cruver, QB Mario Alford, OL Brandon Parks, WR Kentavious Caldwell
Key losses: LB Chris Horton, QB Howard Patterson
Outlook: Entering his eighth season as head coach, Jeremy Williams is more optimistic than ever as his team returns 15 starters after making the playoffs in 2008. QB Mario Alford will run the spread option attack. He will be behind an experienced and punishing offensive line, the team’s biggest strength. The skill players are scary fast and include 6-4 WR Kentavious Caldwell, an all-state basketball player. Defensively, the Patriots return seven starters from a group that allowed just 14.5 points per game during the regular season last year. DE Kenarious Gates (6 feet 5, 285 pounds) is the best of the bunch. Depth and the kicking game are concerns, but the Patriots should once again be a special team. A region title is not out of reach.
Central (Talbotton) Hawks
2008 record: 2-8, 2-7 (eighth in region)
Average record this decade: 2-8
Coach: Rodney Hester
Offense: I (coordinator: Rodney Hester)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Andrew Hall)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: LB Gerald Floyd
Other top players: WR Quamain O’Neal, OL Kortidious Edge, OL Marcol Harvey
Key losses: WR Marquavious Trice (Fort Valley State), DL David Nieves (Fort Valley State), LB Stantavious Hall (Fort Valley State)
Outlook: The Hawks’ defense has got to be better for Central to have any chance to improve its standing in the region. It gave up 34 points per game last season, while the offense only scored 19. Coach Rodney Hester has stressed that the defense will be much more aggressive this season, led by linebacker Gerald Floyd. Mistakes, namely turnovers, really hurt the Hawks in 2008. The offensive line, led by Kortidious Edge and Marcol Harvey, will be the strength of the squad. A couple of more wins would be a great improvement for the Hawks this season.
Marion County Eagles
2008 record: 6-4, 5-4 (fifth in region)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Jim Montgomery (first season)
Offense: Multiple (coordinator: Derek Goodroe)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Billy Law)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: LB/RB Robert Lewis
Other top players: RB/LB Ykeem Wells, DL/RB Michael Wilborn, FS/WR Corey Hulin, QB Tyler Tidwell
Key losses: RB Allen McKay (Georgia State), LB Harold McCarthy, DL/WR Keon Rembert, RB/DB Robert Golden
Outlook: Former Westside (Macon) assistant Bill Montgomery takes over for Calvin Aldrige. It’s a good hire. Montgomery was 64-19 as Taylor County’s head coach from 1997 to 2003 before leaving to become an assistant to Rance Gillespie at Peach County and to Robert Davis at Westside, two pretty good mentors. Montgomery’s son Brett, Taylor County’s starting quarterback in 2008, will be moving to Marion to be with his father. After a 6-0 start last year, the Eagles dropped their last four games and did not make the playoffs. Gone is star running back Allan McKay (Georgia State), but the offense is not bare. A stable of running backs led by junior Ykeem Wells can get it done. If the defense can improve, this will be a pretty good team.
Pacelli Vikings
2008 record: 4-6, 4-5 (sixth in region)
Average record this decade: 7-4
Coach: Bryan Eason (4-6 in one season)
Offense: Multi-wing (coordinator: Alan Griffin)
Defense: 5-2 (coordinator: Carson Hinton)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 9 on defense
Best player: G/T Taylor Dodds
Other top players: RB Joseph Reese (transfer), SS Devon Taylor, SS Jon Duncan
Key losses: DL Maurice Morrison (Miles), P Stuart Wilkerson, DE Walter Lunsford
Outlook: The Vikings and head coach Bryan Eason are hoping for an exciting season. A young squad with mostly sophomores and juniors, the team has a legitimate goal of making the playoffs. The Vikings are confident in their young talent, as Eason believes the team has grown and will continue to improve. He expects big things from transfer RB Joseph Reese, as well as LT Taylor Dodds (graded out at 84 percent last season). The Vikings also will look for some big plays from their safeties, Devon Taylor (53 tackles, five interceptions, 600 yards of total offense) and Jon Duncan (75 tackles, four interceptions).
Schley County Wildcats
2008 record: 8-4, 7-2 (second place in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Wilcox County 34-13 in the second round
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Jim McFather (31-33 in six seasons)
Offense: Power I (coordinator: Chip Cheek)
Defense: Base 50 (coordinator: Jim McFather)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: OLB Jessie Coulter
Other top players: RB/LB Tray Mann, FB/LB Nekose Thornton, DE/LB Darious Pines
Key losses: QB Deondrick Pina (Valdosta State), OL/DL Neil Webb
Outlook: After making it as far in the playoffs as any team in Region 4-A in 2008, head coach Jim McFather and the Wildcats are looking for a repeat performance in 2009. Schley returns a solid nucleus of players to make that happen. The linebackers are among the best in the region, with Tray Mann, Nekose Thornton and Darious Pines. They will make life difficult on opposing offensive coordinators. The offensive line should be solid, but replacing QB Deondrick Pina will be difficult. If the Wildcats can do that, another playoff appearance is a possibility.
Stewart County Royal Knights
2008 record: 1-9, 1-8 (ninth in region)
Average record this decade: 1-9
Coach: Scott Blackmon
Offense: I-formation (coordinator: Scott Blackmon)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Yeasive Ware)
Starters returning: 8 on offense, 8 on defense
Best player: LB Jalen Thomas
Other top players: WR Aario Johnson, RB Quontarius Jones, LB/OL Corderra Thomas
Key losses: WR Jarrell Jones, RB Charles Thomas
Outlook: Last year’s Stewart County team played many underclassmen. Hopefully for the Royal Knights, the experience they gained last year will help them get better, though they will still be a young team. Last year, freshman RB Quontarious Jones had nine touchdowns, and the coaching staff is expecting more of the same from him in his sophomore effort. The talent is much better. Now, it’s just a matter of getting more wins. One bit of bad news is that Webster County, the only team Stewart beat last year, dropped varsity football.
Taylor County Vikings
2008 record: 3-7, 3-6 (seventh in region)
Average record this decade: 6-4
Coach: Chris Kirksey (21-31 in five seasons)
Offense: Pro I-formation (coordinator: Chris Kirksey)
Defense: 3-5 and 4-4 (coordinator: Ronnie Wiggins)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: G Colby Nelson
Top players: RB Jonquez Sanders, LB Brandon Cox
Key losses: QB Brett Montgomery, LB/FB Zack Ross, LB Darren Woods, TE/DE Jacolbi Fields
Outlook: It’s a young team again – only 11 seniors and juniors – but the Vikings can hang their hats on all-state G Colby Nelson and all-region RB Jonquez Sanders (1,185 yards, 200 carries, 13 touchdowns). Two other linemen return, so Taylor should be able to block a little. The Vikings lost QB Brett Montgomery to Marion County when his father, Bill Montgomery, got the head coaching job there. TE/DE Jacolbi Fields moved to Peach County. Taylor’s secondary is pretty good, but the only member of the front seven returning is LB Brandon Cox (39 tackles, 18 assists, four sacks). Coach Chris Kirksey worries about that, but he also believes his team was better than its record last season, when three or four games that hinged on two or three plays were lost.
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