The following is an excerpt from the July 16 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 7-A PREVIEW
What it is: Region 7-A is a league of eight teams in eastern Georgia from Wilkinson County near Macon to Aquinas in Augusta. Glascock County and Georgia Military don’t play region schedules, making for a six-team round-robin. It’s the only region that sent two teams to the semifinals last season in Lincoln County (seven-time defending region champios) and Wilkinson County.
Defending champion: Lincoln County
Best player: RB A.J. Middlebrooks, Lincoln County
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
#3 Lincoln County (12-2, 5-0)
#5 Wilkinson County (10-4, 4-1)
Washington-Wilkes (6-5, 3-2)
Warren County (4-7, 2-3)
Aquinas (3-7, 1-4)
Hancock Central (0-10, 0-5)
Glascock County (8-2, 0-0)
Georgia Military College (4-6, 0-0)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
Lincoln County (2/4)
Wilkinson County (7/9)
Washington-Wilkes (3/4)
Warren County (8/7)
Aquinas (N/A)
Hancock Central (9/9)
*Georgia Military (3/7)
*Glascock County (4/6)
*Playing a non-region schedule
TEAM BY TEAM
Aquinas Fighting Irish
2008 record: 3-7, 1-4 (fifth in region)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Matt Lezotte (first season)
Offense: N/A
Defense: N/A
Starters returning: N/A
Best player: DE David Mysona
Other top players: N/A
Key losses: QB Brandon Paul
Outlook: The Fighting Irish are one of several teams in Region 7-A region with a new head coach. They believe they have a rising star in Matt Lezotte, one of the state’s youngest coaches at age 27. He’s been an assistant at Aquinas since leaving James Madison, where he was the quarterback for a Division I-AA national championship team. He’s a former player at Westside of Augusta. Aquinas loses QB Brandon Paul but has an outstanding LB/DE in David Mysona. Aquinas will need to work on its defense and protecting the quarterback after having trouble in both areas last year. And there’s still a talent gap. Aquinas finished fifth last season, but the gap is wide between the Irish and the top four from 2008.
Georgia Military College Bulldogs
2008 record: 4-6 (non-region schedule)
Average record this decade: 3-7
Coach: Brad Owens (first season)
Offense: One-back spread (coordinator: Brad Owens)
Defense: 4-4 (coordinator: Steve Simpson)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: RB Donovan Smith
Other top players: QB Sill Parker, LB JT Stevens, WR John Layfield
Key losses: N/A
Outlook: Georgia Military was 0-10 in 2007 and chose to play a non-region schedule last season, picking up four victories against other small schools and start-up programs. It was good for morale, and the team can make a .500 finish a realistic goal. The top two yardage producers, QB Sill Parker and RB Donovan Smith, are back. So are most of the defensive starters. The new coach, Brad Owens, was the offensive coordinator last season and will continue with those duties. A graduate of Fullerton Academy in Vienna, Owens has been an assistant at Dooly County, Metter, Fitzgerald, McIntosh County Academy and Crisp County and been a part of four region championship teams.
Glascock County Panthers
2008 record: 8-2 (non-region schedule)
Average record this decade: 2-7
Coach: Chris Kelley (18-51 in seven seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Chris Kelley)
Defense: 3-5 (coordinator: Ryan Brooks)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: RB Montavious Myricks
Other top players: QB Antonio Gibson, G/LB Zach O’Connor, LB/TE Jaquavious Murray
Key losses: RB Dontavais Gibson, FB Tavaris Neal
Outlook: A school of only 180 students, Glascock posted its first winning season in 2008. The fact that it was not against a region schedule shouldn’t mitigate that accomplishment as the Panthers’ all-time record is 28-177-2, according to GHSFHA.org. Glascock lost only 22-16 to Warren County, the No. 4 team from the region. Graduation took its toll, but coach Chris Kelley has been saying for a while that junior RB Montavious Myricks can be special. He rushed for 1,290 yards and scored 16 touchdowns on just 90 carries. He also had 32 tackles on defense and returned two interceptions for touchdowns. And he ran a kick back for a score. Don’t be surprised if he breaks 2,000 yards this year. But two other 1,000-yard rushers are gone. The new quarterback is Antonio Gibson, a starting cornerback since he was a freshman. Another good player is Jacquavious Murray, a tight end/linebacker who was limited with a shoulder injury last year.
Hancock Central Bulldogs
2008 record: 0-10, 0-5 (sixth in region)
Average record this decade: 3-7
Coach: Zackery Harris (0-10 in one season)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Zackery Harris)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Raymze Lewis)
Starters returning: 9 on offense, 9 on defense
Best player: OL Justin Brookins
Other top players: WR/S Brian Hill, WR/AB Tommie Willis, WR/QB Marcus Walker, FB/LB Lemarcus Lewis
Key losses: QB Dontavious Fluellen
Outlook: Hancock is one of the most long-suffering programs in Georgia, a small school with no tradition. In 2008, Zackery Harris took over for Wilbert Simmons, who had beaten the odds and led the school to playoff victories in 2004 and 2006. But he left the cupboard bare, and Harris endured an 0-10 season. Now, with more starters back than any team in the region, Hancock has a chance to compete, but victories still will be hard to come by. The Bulldogs lost every game by at least 27 points last season. Hancock has some pretty good athletes who can catch the ball but needs to find a quarterback to replace Dontavious Fluellen.
Lincoln County Red Devils
2008 record: 12-2, 5-0 (region champion)
Average record this decade: 11-3
Playoffs: Lost to Wesleyan 20-12 in the semifinals
Coach: Larry Campbell (426-73-3 in 37 seasons)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Larry Campbell)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Howard Ellis)
Starters returning: 2 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: TB A.J. Middlebrooks
Other top players: LB/FB Tavious McGahee, DL Marquis Parks, LB Keestan Wynn
Key losses: WR Wilkes Goolsby (South Carolina walk-on), WR/DB Alex Ellis, OL Garrett Matthews (Newberry)
Outlook: The Devils lost every starter on the offensive line and in the secondary. Also gone are the starting wide receivers. But the history of six straight 7-A titles makes Lincoln County the region’s team to beat again. Larry Campbell, in his 38th season in Lincolnton, will build around all-state running back A.J. Middlebrooks (1,439 yards rushing, 18 touchdowns) and LB/RB Tavious McGahee. Lincoln County is a spread team – “although I hate to admit it,” Campbell said – but don’t be surprised if the team reverts to the I-formation to highlight those two backs, as Middlebrooks and McGahee are a natural tailback-fullback combination. The quarterback will be Garrett Mohr (started on junior varsity last season, good arm) or Frank Sherman (back from ACL injury, good reader of coverages). On defense, Lincoln County shut out seven opponents last season and should be very formidable again despite only four starters back. McGahee is an all-state candidate at linebacker, and DE Marquis Parks and LB Keestan Wynn are first-rate, as well.
Warren County Screaming Devils
2008 record: 4-7, 2-3 (fourth in region)
Average record this decade: 5-5
Playoffs: Lost to Wesleyan 42-19 in the first round
Coach: Marleau Blount (first season)
Offense: Multiple Wing-T (coordinator: Cemonia Beall)
Defense: 3-3-5 (coordinator: Joey Moon)
Starters returning: 8 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: QB Tay Erwin
Other top players: RB Coby Reynolds, LB Frank Ivey, OL Devars David, WR Dontracus Dozier, FB Steven Burley, TE Cedrick Bacon, C Javier Lowe, LB/OL Mark Tobsy
Key losses: LB Jonathan Lewis (North Carolina Tech), RB Kentrell Latimore (Paine College)
Outlook: Warren County promoted longtime assistant and Warren County graduate Marleau Blount to take over for Lee Hutto, who left for region rival Washington-Wilkes. Warren lost only a handful of seniors and will be a deeper team. It’s also an exceptionally fast and athletic team, as Warren County won the Class A track and field meet last spring. RB Colby Reynolds is the reigning 100 and 200 meters champion, and QB Tay Erwin was part of the winning 400-meter relay team. Those two are juniors. Warren also has an experienced offensive line. Blount’s main challenge is making the Screaming Devils a competitive defense. In 2008, they allowed 40-plus points to each of the last four playoff teams they faced.
Washington-Wilkes Tigers
2008 record: 6-5, 3-2 (third in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Athens Academy 24-14 in the first round
Average record this decade: 8-4
Coach: Lee Hutto (first season)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Brian Usry)
Defense: 3-5-3 (coordinator: Robert Wheeler)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 3 on defense
Best player: FB/FS Eric Scott
Other top players: LB/G Tyrance Ashmore, QB Teverrius Jones
Key losses: DE Drew Wilson (Lambis University)
Outlook: Lee Hutto, who took Warren County to the quarterfinals in 2006 and 2008, takes over a proud program that some felt was underachieving. There are only five seniors in the program, and most of the starters are gone with a class of 22 players that graduated. But Hutto is convinced the talent is there to contend in the region immediately. Eric Scott is a big-time player on both sides of the ball. He rushed for almost 1,200 yards last season and could become the first player in school history to surpass 1,000 four times. Remember that Daccus Turman, the state’s single-season leading rusher, is from Washington-Wilkes. Scott is an outstanding free safety as well. The defense will be a strong point because of its speed. On offense, Hutto is scrapping the spread offense of the previous administration and putting in the Wing-T. Opposing teams had better be ready to battle Scott between the tackles. QB Teverrius Jones is mobile and can throw. Expect the Tigers to start slowly, but with five warm-up games until region play starts, they could challenge Lincoln County and Wilkinson County.
Wilkinson County Warriors
2008 record: 10-4, 4-1 (second in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Emanuel County Institute 15-7 in the semifinals
Average record this decade: 5-5
Coach: James Hagins (74-66-2 in 11 seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Jud Stuart)
Defense: 4-2, 5-3 (coordinator: Wilbert Simmons)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 9 on defense
Best Player: LB Quayshon Simmons
Other top players: RB Bobby Cole, LB Patrick Reynolds, DB Bernadies Hughes, DT Jovon James, DT Deangelo Lewis, DE Alvin Dupree
Key losses: QB/DB Tony McCrea (Southeastern Louisiana), OL Damian Todd, DT Kendrick Owens (Mississippi College), RB Demontez Crockett (Cumberland College)
Outlook: Wilkinson got hot in the playoffs and reached the semifinals, taking No. 1-ranked ECI to the wire. This team will be just as good, perhaps better. Tony McCrea, the quarterback and a cornerback who was named Class A defensive player of the year, is a major loss. But the defense has nine starters back, including star Quayshon Simmons, probably the best linebacker in the region. James Hagins, in his 12th season in Irwinton, believes this could be his best team, or at least his best defense. On paper, it might be better than Lincoln County, the region champion and favorite. “They’ll be the favorite,” Hagins said, “but we believe we can match up with them man for man this year. If we hadn’t made the mistakes we did, we would’ve been even with them down to the last two minutes last year.” As it were, Lincoln County won 20-0. The gap has closed.
REGION 8-A PREVIEW
What it is: Region 8-A is a nine-team region of Northeast Georgia teams between Social Circle to the south off I-20 and Towns County to the north in the mountains near the Tennessee border. There are three private Athens schools in between. Hebron Christian in Gwinnett County and Towns County do not play region schedules.
Defending champion: Wesleyan
Best player: Kyle Karempelis, Wesleyan
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
#1 Wesleyan (13-2, 6-0)
Athens Academy (10-2, 5-1)
Commerce (5-6, 4-2)
Social Circle (5-6, 3-3)
Athens Christian (4-6, 2-4)
Prince Avenue Christian (3-6-1, 1-5)
Lakeview Academy (1-7, 0-6)
Towns County (7-3, 0-0)
Hebron Christian Academy (2-6, 0-0)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
Wesleyan (7/7)
Commerce (7/6)
Athens Academy (6/5)
Social Circle (8/9)
Prince Avenue Christian (5/5)
Athens Christian (N/A)
Lakeview Academy (5/5)
Hebron Christian (7/7)
*Towns County (6/7)
*Playing a non-region schedule
TEAM BY TEAM
Athens Academy Spartans
2008 record: 10-2, 5-1 (second in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Bremen 28-21 in the second round
Average record this decade: 9-3
Coach: Michael Gunn (153-57-1 in 18 seasons)
Offense: I-formation (coordinator: Michael Gunn)
Defense: 50 (coordinator: Barton Nealey)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: FB/LB Henry Terrell
Other top players: TE/DE Thomas Sanders, OL/DL Ben Glauser, OL/DL Jordan Richardson, G/LB Hunter Stiles
Key losses: QB Will Daniel, WR/DB McKay Matthews, RB/DB James Colquitt, OL/DL Collins Broun, OL/DL Will Jenkins, WR/DB Landon Heath, RB/S William Harris
Outlook: After reaching the Class A semifinals the previous two seasons, Athens Academy felt a letdown in 2008, losing to Bremen in the second round. The loss of a senior group that won 10 or more games in three straight seasons will be hard to replace, especially with a class as deep and athletic as that one. Gone are QB Will Daniel (Region 8-A offensive player of the year, school-record 27 TD passes), WR McKay Matthews (first team all-region and the 8-A special teams player of the year) and Will Jenkins (team’s best lineman, honorable mention all-state). James Colquitt and William Harris were all-region running backs, and they’re gone, too. There is hope that Henry Terrell and Thomas Sanders will be able to form a pair similar to that of Colquitt and Harris. Gunn is high on junior quarterback Mark Sanders, Daniel’s replacement. The Spartans probably won’t score points at the same rate as a year ago, but the lines of scrimmage should buy some time for the backfield and receivers to develop and make for a good defense.
Athens Christian Eagles
2008 record: 4-6, 2-4 (fifth in region)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Bill Forman (first season)
Offense: N/A (coordinator: Jim Stradley)
Defense: N/A (coordinator: Ricky Smith or Bill Forman)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: OL/DL Tim Campodonico
Other top players: LB Jacob Holloman, LB/RB Neil Homer, RB Anthony Cosby, RB Payton Mapp
Key losses: QB Tyson Beacham, WR/FS Forrest Shealy, WR Joe Echols, OL/DE Joey Moon
Outlook: Bill Forman takes over as head coach for Van Beacham, the Eagles’ coach for the previous 14 seasons (and an assistant for 11 years before that). Forman had been an assistant at South Forsyth. Most of the starters are back. On offense, the team has lost QB Tyson Beacham (1,900 yards passing) and his top target, Forrest Shealy (37 receptions and also the leading tackler at free safety). But the parts are in place to be much improved. Tim Campodonico is one of the region’s elite linemen, and another key lineman, Will Drake, is back after shoulder surgery ruined his junior season. The new quarterback figures to be Zach Resop or Chaz Sheats. Both played wide receiver last season. The top ball carriers are Neil Homer (also a starting linebacker), Anthony Cosby and Payton Mapp.
Commerce Tigers
2008 record: 5-6, 4-2 (third in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Wilkinson County 21-7 in the first round
Average record this decade: 8-4
Coach: Steve Savage (169-74 in 20 seasons)
Offense: Double-slot (coordinator: Steve Savage)
Defense: 50 (coordinator: Marvin Justice)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: RB/DB Deon Osborne
Other top players: RB/LB Jon Cash, QB Cody Streetman, RB/LB Travaris Glasper, DB Casey Drinkard
Key losses: LB/FB Chase Bowen, QB Phillip Edwards, DL/OL Austin Hanley
Outlook: The 2008 Tigers pushed Steve Savage’s playoff streak with Commerce to 16 seasons. However, the team ended up below .500 for the first time during that streak, playing with new quarterbacks Phillip Edwards (108 passing yards, 449 rushing yards, seven rushing TDs) and Cody Streetman (344 passing yards, three TDs). With the graduation of Edwards and his speed, Streetman will rely on a run game that returns its top two backs, Deon Osborne and Jon Cash, who combined for 1,494 yards of total offense and 14 touchdowns. Osborne and Wesleyan’s Kyle Karempelis are the lone returning all-region running backs. On defense, Travaris Glasper is one of the 2-3 best linebackers in the region. Expect Commerce to make a move toward being a Top 10 team again.
Hebron Christian Academy Lions
2008 record: 2-6 (non-region schedule)
Average record this decade: 2-6
Coach: Brian Smith (first season)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Brian Smith)
Defense: 3-5-3 (Coordinator: Ken Aldridge)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: WR/DB Will Treadwell
Other top players: RB/LB Matt Stephens, B Paul Stinespring, LB Tyler Smith LB
Key losses: RB/LB Tim Gordon, RB/LB Bobby Foley
Outlook: The Lions hired Union County (S.C.) assistant Brian Smith, a former Clemson player and North Greenville University head coach (2002-03). He’s also been head coach at three South Carolina high schools and has a 70-58 overall record. Smith brings a new offense, the spread. He’s got a good trio to build around in RB Matt Stephens, WR Will Treadwell (more than 500 yards receiving) and QB Paul Stinespring (more than 1,000 yards passing). Defense will be the main focus after surrendering 30 points a game last year. Linebackers Matt Stephens and Tyler Smith are the cornerstones.
Lakeview Academy Lions
2008 record: 1-7, 0-6 (seventh in region)
Average record this decade: 1-7
Coach: Matthew Gruhn (1-7 in one season)
Offense: Triple option (Coordinator: Matthew Gruhn)
Defense: 4-4 (Coordinator: Greg Bicknell)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: LB/RB Lex Little
Other top players: LB/QB Jordan Chastain, RB/DE Tom Drury, WR/LB Matt Whyte, OL/DL James Bagwell
Key losses: QB/DB Haughton Carswell, PK Nick Saye, WR/DB Austin White
Outlook: Lakeview got brave points for jumping into a region schedule in its first varsity season. The results were predictable, and the Lions’ second season doesn’t look any easier as do-it-all QB/DB Haughton Carswell (led team in rushing, passing, touchdowns and interceptions) has graduated. While Carswell’s main target, Matt Whyte, returns at receiver, the burden will be placed on senior backs Lex Little and Tom Drury Sr. Only five players remain from a defense that gave up an average of 40 points in seven losses, leaving defensive coordinator Greg Bicknell to lean heavily on returning linebackers Little, Whyte and Jordan Chastain.
Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines
2008 record: 3-6-1, 1-5 (sixth in region)
Average record this decade: 3-7
Coach: Mark Farriba (8-11-1)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Jamie Dickey)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Dicky Clark)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: QB Taylor Clark
Other top players: LB/FB/QB Bobo Marshall, WR/DB Felipe Howell, WB/DB Sam Bennett
Key losses: RB Anthony Ball, LB Zach Dudley, DL Beau Parrish
Outlook: Prince Avenue, in its fifth season of varsity football, was close to being a .500 team but lost a couple of close games, including an overtime setback to rival Athens Christian. This year, coach Mark Farriba is converting from a Pro I-formation to a Wing-T. “We just feel that it fits us,” Farriba said. “It’s more about misdirection and execution than overall speed and size.” It’s still unclear how the players will line up, as QB Taylor Clark could play wingback. Bobo Marshall, a sophomore, might also play quarterback or fullback. He was a first-team all-region linebacker last year, and it’s definite he’ll be there again. Losing RB Anthony Ball is tough. He was one of four all-region running backs in 2008. Prince Avenue’s defense is directed by Dicky Clark, a former Georgia teammate of Farriba.
Social Circle Redskins
2008 record: 5-6, 3-3 (fourth in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Lincoln County 32-0 in the first round
Average record this decade: 5-6
Coach: Troy Morris (8-14 in two seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: David Seawright)
Defense: 3-3 stack (coordinator: Chris Wagner)
Starters returning: 8 on offense, 9 on defense
Best player: LB Norman Saunders
Other top players: QB Chase Lackey, OL/DL Stephon Taylor, OL/DL Jacob Anshutz, DB/RB Chris Burns, RB/DB Greg Brightwell
Key losses: Tytus Baynes OL/DL, Nick Carter OL/DL
Outlook: Social Circle has made the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons, usually a first-round loser, but remarkable for its consistency. One reason is the nature of the region – three good teams, three not-so-good, and Social Circle firmly in the middle. The Redskins should creep toward the upper echelon this season with a young but very experienced team led by junior QB Chase Lackey and junior LB Norman Saunders (106 tackles in eight games, all-region as a sophomore). They have a nice RB duo of Chris Burns and Greg Brighwell, and two-way lineman Jacob Anshutz was all-region in 2008.
Towns County Indians
2008 record: 7-3 (non-region schedule)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Kyle Langford (7-13 in two seasons)
Offense: Multiple I (coordinator: Thomas Boyd)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Rick Ellis)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: WR/DB Billy Meier
Other top players: WR/DB John Bleckley, WR/DB Matt Hogsed, DE John Swiley
Key losses: QB Chase Ellis, FB Josh Ledford, RB/DB Nathan Hughes, RB/DB Andy Page, WR/DB Charles Corn, PK Ian Calhoun, OL/LB Jacob Ledford, WR/LB Randy Smith
Outlook: After three straight winless seasons for the Indians, coach Kyle Langford defied logic by going 7-3 in his second season. Not playing a region scheduled helped, but this team was a feel-good story that had the community rallying around it. There are significant losses to graduation, including QB Chase Ellis, son of the defensive coordinator. His moving to town last year was a huge part of the turnaround. His replacement remains undecided. Also gone are offensive scorcher Andy Page and the defense-leading twin linebackers, Jake and Josh Ledford. The receiving corps will be the Indians’ strength, with wideouts Billy Meier, John Bleckley and Matt Hogsed returning for their senior seasons. Langford believes this team will lack the depth it had in 2008 but be physically stronger and perhaps even better by October.
Wesleyan Wolves
2008 record: 13-2, 6-0 (region champion)
Playoffs: Beat ECI 33-21 in Class A championship game
Average record this decade: 7-5
Coach: Franklin Pridgen (24-12 in three seasons)
Offense: Multiple-I (coordinator: Brad Dehem)
Defense: Multiple Front (coordinator: Brian Krehmeyer)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 7 on defense
Best players: QB Conor Welton, RB Kyle Karempelis
Other top players: LB Bobby Fulton, WR Anderson Porter, LB Merritt Hall, OL/DL David Andrews
Key losses: OL/DL Josh Parrish OL/DL (UGA), OL/DL Andrew Patrick (VMI), TE/DB JJ Russell (Presbyterian College), WR/DB Lee Ellis
Outlook: After starting 1-2, the Wolves won 12 straight games by double digits and won the school’s first championship in football. Virtually everyone will rank them No. 1 in preseason because coach Franklin Pridgen returns his leading passer, rusher and tackler and the region defensive player of the year. QB Conner Welton (165 of 245 passing for 1,660 yards and 18 touchdowns) and RB Kyle Karempelis (1,902 yards on 278 carries, 31 TDs) look to lead an offense that averaged 29 points per game last season. The defense returns all-state LB Bobby Fulton (109 tackles) and 8-A defensive player of the year Merritt Hall, a junior linebacker. The only hole is the loss of offensive and defensive big men Josh Parrish and Andrew Patrick to the next level.
Loading ...
