The following is an excerpt from the July 30 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: 7-AAA:
What it is: Region 7-AAA consists of 14 teams in north central Georgia split into subregions based on who is east or west of Lake Lanier (except for West Forsyth and Lambert, which play on the east side). The top two teams from each subregion qualify for the playoffs, and a battery of tiebreakers determine which subregion winner is the region’s No. 1 seed. The region has the two most highly rated quarterback recruits in the state in Blake Sims (Gainesville) and Connor Shaw (Flowery Branch), though Sims likely will play another position in college. Lambert, a new school in Forsyth County, will play a non-region schedule.
Defending champion: Gainesville
Best player: Blake Sims, Gainesville
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
Division A
North Hall (8-4, 6-0)
Creekview (6-5, 5-1)
White County (6-4, 4-2)
Chestatee (4-6, 3-3)
Lumpkin County (4-6, 2-4)
Pickens (2-8, 1-5)
Gilmer (0-10, 0-6)
Division B
#5 Gainesville (12-1, 5-0)
#2 Flowery Branch (12-3, 4-1)
West Forsyth (8-2, 3-2)
West Hall (5-5, 2-3)
Johnson, Gainesville (2-8, 1-4)
East Hall (1-9, 0-5)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
Division A
North Hall (4/7)
Creekview (7/3)
White County (6/6)
Chestatee (3/5)
Gilmer (9/7)
Pickens (3/4)
Lumpkin County (2/6)
Division B
Gainesville (8/6)
Flowery Branch (7/4)
West Forsyth (6/8)
West Hall (5/6)
Johnson (6/5)
East Hall (6/5)
*Lambert (N/A)
*New school playing a non-region schedule
TEAM BY TEAM
Division A
Chestatee War Eagles
2008 record: 4-6, 3-3 (fourth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Stan Luttrell (18-13 in three seasons)
Offense: Split-back (coordinator: Matt Stowers)
Defense: 4-2-5 (coordinator: Matt Mayrs)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: RB Ben Souther
Other top players: DT Tyler Terry, DE Chandler Farrow, LB Robbie Poole, LB/TE Jeremy Wilkins, CB Cam Phillips, WR Lamar Brooks
Key losses: QB Ethan Souther, LB Chase Vasser (Georgia)
Outlook: RB Ben Souther broke the school record for rushing yards in a season with 1,563 (8 yards per attempt) and ran for 18 touchdowns. He’s back. The bad news is that Chestatee loses all five starting offensive linemen, plus three-year starting QB Ethan Souther. Without the kind of line that can overpower teams, the staff will implement more of a passing game with new starting QB, Scott Chewning, a junior. On defense, LBs Jeremy Wilkins and Robbie Poole, the team’s two leading tacklers from a year ago, return. LB Chase Vasser is off to Georgia. The defensive scheme – the only 4-2-5 that’s been reported to GHSF Daily – is new, leaving several unproven players to try and fill the rover and bandit positions. After giving up more than 30 points in each of their last four games to seal their postseason-less fate, the War Eagles are looking to improve their defense.
Creekview Grizzlies
2008 record: 6-5, 5-1 (second in subregion)
Playoffs: Lost to Eastside 20-6 in the first round
Average record this decade: 7-3
Coach: Al Morrell
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Al Morrell)
Defense: 4-4 (coordinator: Jeff Nelson)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 3 on defense
Best player: FB Hunter Livingston
Other top players: WB Michael Ay, TE/WR Dillon Mulkey, G Dillon Dickerson, G Jake Andrusko MLB Ryan Holmes, OLB/WR Jay Barclay, DE Morgan Wright
Key losses: QB Collins Wold
Outlook: Creekview made the playoffs in 2008, the 4-year-old school’s first season with a region schedule or a senior class. Seven starters return from an offense that averaged 33.7 points per game (No. 3 in Class AAA), but one of the losses is QB Collins Wold (1,900 yards passing, 19 TDs). His replacement will be junior Cody Allen (roll-out passer) or freshman Hayden Hall. FB Hunter Livingston returns after an injury-shortened season last year. He rushed for 1,000 yards as a sophomore, albeit against a non-region slate. Both guards (Dillon Dickerson and Jake Andrusko) are three-year starters, so the offense should be fine. On defense, Creekview will have eight first-time starters, all juniors. MLB Ryan Holmes was the leader in tackles (127 solo), and DB Jay Barkley led the team in interceptions (five).
Gilmer Bobcats
2008 record: 0-10, 0-6 (seventh in subregion)
Average record this decade: 2-8
Coach: Wesley Tankersley (0-10 in one season)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Scott Ray)
Defense: 50 (coordinator: Mark Pettit)
Starters returning: 9 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: FB/SS Jacob Teague
Other top players: MLB Sawyer Pettit, G Wesley Nestor
Key losses: FS Joe Rigdon
Outlook: Gilmer finished with only six seniors last season and filled its lineup two-thirds of the way with sophomores, so it was no surprise to see the Bobcats at the bottom of the standings. This year, coach Wesley Tankersley hopes his experienced and talented junior class is the start of something good. One of the juniors is FB Jacob Teague (650 yards rushing), who could emerge as one of the top players in the region. He’ll get the bulk of the workload from the Wing T and not be asked to play defense as much. Thomas Davis, a senior, returns at quarterback. The best new player is an old one, Wesley Nestor. A starter since he was a freshman, Nestor missed his junior season with an injury. Gilmer didn’t have the experience or size on the lines of scrimmage to be competitive last season. A bigger and strong, yet still young, group is back to make amends.
Lumpkin County Indians
2008 record: 4-6, 2-4 (fifth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 5-6
Coach: Tommy Jones (9-21 in three seasons)
Offense: Multiple I (coordinator: Kevin Stewart)
Defense: 35 (coordinator: Terry Franklin)
Starters returning: 2 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: LB Lance Chuvala
Other top players: LB Jake McClure, WR Chad Fulton, QB Taylor Guthrie, OL/DL John Harris, TE/DL Jonathan Whitehead, OL Josh Rogers, DL Michael Flanagan, RB Ian McIntosh
Key losses: QB Daniel Abercrombie, OL Hayden Grizzle, K/DB Ben Ayres, DL Jose Magana, DL Alex Dege, DB Chris Guthrie
Outlook: The offense was decimated by graduation, leaving only two starters. Gone is QB Daniel Abercrombie, who will leave the job to Chris Guthrie, who played a good bit last season and threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score. RB Ian McIntosh, the team’s sixth-leading rusher last season, will shoulder the load at the position. Chad Fulton (23 receptions, 362 yards) returns at WR. The defense must hold the fort until the offense arrives. The linebackers are especially strong, with the team’s top two tacklers, ILB Lance Chuvala (107 total tackles) and ILB Jake McClure (83), returning.
North Hall Trojans
2008 record: 8-4, 6-0 (first in subregion)
Playoffs: Lost to Dunwoody 18-13 in the second round
Average record this decade: 8-4
Coach: Bob Christmas (68-26 in eight seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Dave Bishop)
Defense: Multiple split 4 (coordinator: Ronnie Eaves)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: OL/DL Daniel Blitch
Other top players: QB/FS Nathan Jones, FB/LB Peyton Wilhoite, OLB Ben Booth
Key losses: QB Blayne Gilmer (Tusculum), SE/CB Beau DeHass (Northwood), WB Graham Duncan (Lenoir-Rhyne)
Outlook: Coach Bob Christmas say his team reminds him of the one he had in 2006. “We had graduated a good number of seniors but had some really quality guys backing them up and ended up 9-1 and going to the quarterfinals,” he said. North Hall’s offense returns only one non-lineman, but Christmas doesn’t sound worried about that. Nathan Jones (who started at safety last year and intercepted eight passes) is the prototype Wing-T quarterback with good balance and running skills. Daniel Blitch (Wake Forest commitment) is the leader of what should be one of the region’s finer offensive lines. On defense, which is typically North Hall’s calling card, seven starters are back. Blitch, Jones and FB/LB Peyton Wilhoite (6 feet 2, 215 pounds, offer from Air Force) are two-way starters. Look for LB Ben Booth to be one of the region’s leading tacklers. North Hall is clearly the team to beat in its subregion.
Pickens Dragons
2008 record: 2-8, 1-5 (sixth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 5-5
Coach: Steve Sewell (37-35 in seven seasons)
Offense: I formation (coordinator: Sam Wigington)
Defense: 50 (coordinator: Duane Cronic)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: FB/LB Michael Greenway
Other top players: QB Jordan Shaw, SB Ethan Bannister, SB Cooper Shaw, LB Dustin Nicholson, LB Aaron Lowman, OL Trey Hampton
Key losses: WR Raymond Bennett, RB/CB Alex Willingham, QB Jesse Cantrell
Outlook: Pickens is picking up the pieces from a two-win season and the loss of its leading passer, rusher, receiver and tackler. The only starter on the offensive line returning is junior Trey Hampton. The new quarterback is Jordan Shaw, a junior who didn’t play football last season. “He’s in the learning process,” coach Steve Sewell says. The team’s finer points include a pair of top-flight linebackers in Dustin Nicholson and Aaron Lowman and a pair of good kickers. Gonzalo Solario made a 49-yard field goal last season, and Brooks Godfrey is an outstanding punter and kickoff man. “The biggest highlight on our team is the attitude and work ethic,” Sewell said. “It’s not the most talented team, but we’re working hard.”
White County Warriors
2008 record: 6-4, 4-2 (third in subregion)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Gregg Segraves (6-4 in one season)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: all offensive coaches)
Defense: 8-man front (coordinator: Tommy Flowers)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: RB/DB Ashely Lowery
Other top players: OL/DL Lafoa Tokio, OL/DL Tyler Hamilton, QB/LB Tyler Dotson, LB/TE Adam Hooper, WR/DB Cam Segraves
Key losses: DL Tasi Suaava (Northeastern), OL/DL C.J. McDonald
Outlook: The Warriors nearly made the playoffs for the second year in a row last season, something the program hasn’t done since 1988-89. The consecutive winning seasons were the first since 1982-83. But losses to North Hall and Creekview to begin the region schedule proved to be their undoing, despite winning their last four games of the season, each by multiple touchdowns. The defense was stout last year, but it loses first team all-region performers Tasi Suaava and C.J. McDonald, both at defensive tackle. The offense will be led by QB Tyler Dotson, a backup last year to Chantz Segraves. Cam Segraves, a junior WR, is the team’s leading receiver from last year. RB Ashely Lowery is the top performer on offense and is getting looks from SEC schools as a junior; he put up more than 800 yards rushing as a sophomore. LB Adam Hooper was the team’s leading tackler a year ago and returns to anchor the defense. The region setup – which qualifies the top two teams from each subregion for the state playoffs – is unforgiving because it probably means White needs to split with North Hall and Creekview to make it.
Division B
East Hall Vikings
2008 record: 1-9, 0-5 (sixth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Bryan Gray (2-18 in two seasons)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Ken Stoudemire)
Defense: Multiple front (coordinator: Bryan Gray)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: LB/DB Corey Richardson
Other top players: DE/TE Chaz Cheeks, FS/WR John Hewell, DE/OT Sterling Bailey, QB Desmon Garner, RB/CB Judd Robinson
Key losses: WR Andrew Ivester, RB Xavier Robinson
Outlook: After back-to-back 1-9 seasons, the Vikings will be starting over again with only seven starters returning. Quarterbacks Desmon Garner and Harrison Dale return after splitting time last season, and RB Judd Robinson will be back after playing a big role in the backfield last year, both in running the ball and catching passes. On a team that still has a ways to go to get back to where it wants to be, all-county LB/DB Corey Richardson is a bright spot. A smaller linebacker at 5-8, Richardson could see some carries on offense, where he filled in last year after injuries to starter Xavier Robinson. The new offensive coordinator is Ken Stoudenmire, who was the coach at Atkinson County last season. He’ll run a spread offense.
Flowery Branch Falcons
2008 record: 12-3, 4-1 (second in subregion)
Playoffs: Lost to Cairo 28-14 in state championship game
Average record this decade: 7-5
Coach: Lee Shaw (48-33 in seven seasons)
Offense: Spread option (coordinator: Shawn Conley)
Defense: Multiple 4-3 (coordinator: Chris Griffin)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: QB Connor Shaw
Other top players: WR/DB Rod Frazier, RB Imani Cross, WR/DB Rodney Young, MLB Cory Sanderson, OL Austin Todd, OL Brandon Keller, RB/DB Darius Kimbrough, WR/DB Destin Tipton, WR Robby Boudreau
Key losses: DE Izaan Cross (Georgia Tech), DE/FB Daniel Drummond (Georgia Tech), WR/DB Chris Lipscomb (Presbyterian College), DB Greg Palmer (Presbyterian College), DL Tevin Keith (Albany State)
Outlook: Lee Shaw started Flowery Branch’s program in 2002 and went 0-10, but in the past four seasons the Falcons have hit their prime. They are 42-9 in that span, and in 2008 they became the first Hall County team to reach a GHSA final since Gainesville in 1982. Not many teams lost a pair of players as good as Izaan Cross and Daniel Drummond (both signed with Georgia Tech), but with Connor Shaw at quarterback, Flowery Branch will be pegged as a state contender again. Shaw threw for more than 2,200 yards and rushed for more than 1,000 last season. With that, the Falcons averaged 31.8 points (No. 10 in Class AAA), and coach Shaw feels they can do even better in 2009 because Flowery Branch is fairly loaded at the skill positions. That was evident in the team’s success in 7-on-7 tournaments. On defense, the entire line is gone, and that’s the one concern. But the Falcons have two key linebackers and defensive backs returning. Another plus is special teams. Billy Thompson is a very reliable kicker and punter. Flowery Branch figures to be in the top five in most preseason rankings.
Gainesville Red Elephants
2008 record: 12-1, 5-0 (first in subregion)
Playoffs: Lost to Carver (Columbus) 28-14 in the quarterfinals
Average record this decade: 9-3
Coach: Bruce Miller (70-16 in seven seasons)
Offense: Spread (coordinators: Todd Wofford and John Kemp)
Defense: 3-4 (coordinator: Jim Pavao)
Starters returning: 8 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: QB Blake Sims
Other top players: WR Tai-ler Jones (Stanford), DB Daunte Carr (Stanford), LB A.J. Johnson, LB Thomas Sprague, RB/DB Teryan Rucker
Key losses: DL Josh Jackson (Auburn), DL Shammond Stringer (Shorter), DL Austin Calvert, C Nick Williams
Outlook: Gainesville is a team with star quality. The Red Elephants could have the best quarterback-wide receiver duo in the state with QB Blake Sims and WR Tai-ler Jones. Sims had more than 3,000 yards of total offense and was the region offensive player of the year, while Jones had 81 catches for more than 1,000 yards receiving. With eight starters returning, there’s no reason Gainesville couldn’t match its 37.5 points per game from 2008 that ranked second in Class AAA. On defense, the Red Elephants will be led by Buford transfer Daunte Carr, a safety who will join Jones at Stanford. Gainesville also might be the only team in the state with three linebackers who had more than 100 tackles last season. They are junior A.J. Johnson, LB Alberto Sanabria and North Hall transfer Thomas Sprague. There is no 10th game more anticipated than Gainesville vs. Flowery Branch on Nov. 6. A year ago, Gainesville won it to complete a 10-0 regular season and claim a region title, but it was Flowery Branch that made the state final in the Georgia Dome.
Johnson (Gainesville) Knights
2008 record: 2-8, 1-4 (fifth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Paul Friel (9-20-1 in three seasons)
Offense: Multiple option (coordinator: Phil Higgins)
Defense: 3-4 (coordinator: Phil Brooks)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: LB Gilberto Espinoza
Other top players: QB Anthony Profit, TB Mantavious Rucker, DT E.J. Wright, DE Caleb Jackson, WR Seth Spivey, WR/DB Kevin Arthur
Key losses: T Major Borders (Dean College), TE Chris Cannon (Cumberland), C Justin Hadden (Presbyterian)
Outlook: Injuries derailed what coach Paul Friel thought would be a good 2008 season. LB Gilberto Espinoza (missed four games), WR/DB Kevin Arthur (five) and WR Seth Spivey (eight) were some of the main ones hobbled. They’re among Johnson’s best players this season. QB Anthony Profit (600 yards rushing, 550 passing) returns, as does leading rusher Mantavious Rucker (880 yards). Friel has enough depth this season to have two platoons. Only Arthur is slated to start both ways. LB Espinoza is a two-time all-region pick. The coach is optimistic his team, particularly the defense that allowed 37.7 points per game, will be much improved. The average over/under for games involving Johnson last season was 60 points, second-highest in Class AAA to West Forsyth. His main problem, if his team stays healthy, is the strength of his subregion. Johnson faced only three losing teams last season and beat two of them.
Lambert Longhorns
Coach: Six Maxwell
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Louis Daniel)
Defense: Multiple (coordinator: Travis Mozingo)
Outlook: Head coach Six Maxwell comes over from Sequoyah in Cherokee County, where he coached in 15 of the school’s 19 football seasons and won 97 games, including 10 last year in a season that saw the Chiefs fall to eventual Class AAAA runner-up Marist in the second round of the playoffs. Maxwell will take over Forsyth County’s newest high school, which will play a junior varsity schedule in its first year. Games against JV squads from Creekview, Chestatee, North Forsyth, Forsyth Central, West Forsyth and Flowery Branch will serve as a challenge, and the Longhorns will meet fellow startups Johns Creek (twice) and Locust Grove.
West Forsyth Wolverines
2008 record: 8-2, 3-2 (third in subregion)
Average record this decade: 5-1
Coach: Frank Hepler (10-2 in two seasons)
Offense: Multiple Wing-T (coordinator: Robert Fuller)
Defense: Multiple 30 (coordinator: Robert Tjong)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 8 on defense
Best player: RB Ben Emert
Other top players: LB Nathan Teter, DE Chris Rubessa, WR Ethan Shirley, QB Cole Carter
Key losses: OL Dane Magnussen
Outlook: It’s almost impossible to go 8-2 and not make the playoffs, but that was the fate of West Forsyth in playing its first full season of varsity football. The Wolverines had the misfortune of having two top-five teams in its subregion – Gainesville and Flowery Branch. Region 7-AAA doesn’t let third-place teams from a subregion participate in a play-in game against the other side, so West Forsyth faces a similar obstacle in 2008. With 14 starters returning, West Forsyth sees no reason it can’t win eight again or give the big two a good shot. RB Ben Emert (1,240 yards rushing, 18 TDs) is the main weapon. Coach Frank Hepler believes Emert could’ve rushed for 2,000 yards last season if he were fed the ball enough. He’s also the strongest player pound-per-pound in Forsyth County. WR Ethan Shirley was an all-region performer last year and will look to do the same this year. On defense, DE Chris Rubessa will lead the attack, as well as LB Nathan Teter. In 2008, West Forsyth and its opponents combined for 616 points in 10 games, the most of any team in Class AAA.
West Hall Spartans
2008 record: 5-5, 2-3 (fourth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 5-5
Coach: Mike Newton (7-13 in two seasons)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Mike Newton)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Mike Hancock)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: QB Shunquez Stephens
Other top players: WR/DB Brandon Fuqua, TB/OLB Marquise Young, G/DT J.T. Slater, FB/OLB Ismail Nuckles, H-back/SS Jake Shirley
Key losses: TE Kyle Weatherly (St. Mary’s), WR Terrell Penland (Shorter), TB Marquise Stephens (Mississippi Delta)
Outlook: The best-known quarterbacks in this region, if not Class AAA, are Connor Shaw of Flowery Branch (South Carolina commit) and Blake Sims of Gainesville (Alabama). In the shadows is junior Shunquez Stephens, a 6-4, 240-pounder with the strongest arm of the three. Stephens (168-for-311, 2,556 yards, 24 TDs, five INTs) is back to lead a West Hall team that should contend for a playoff berth in a very top-heavy region. Stephens’ brother, Marquise Stephens (650 yards rushing), must be replaced, but Brookwood transfer Marquise Young is a nice pickup. “He’s 5-8, about 180, low to the ground; he’s solid,” coach Mike Newton said. West Hall’s lines of scrimmage should be a strength. The defensive line is big – each end is 6-4 or taller, each tackle 240 or heavier. This isn’t a deep team, but it has a good starting lineup that should present problems even for the big guys like Gainesville and Flowery Branch.
Region Preview: 8-AAA:
What it is: Region 8-AAA consists of 10 schools in northeast Georgia from Morgan County and Eastside at I-20 to around Lake Hartwell to the north. New schools Archer and Mountain View of Gwinnett County will play non-region schedules this fall. The other eight teams play a round-robin schedule to determine playoff berths.
Defending champion: Eastside
Best player: RB/LB Jermonte Hickman, Hart County
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
#8 Eastside (11-2, 6-1)
#10 Stephens County (8-3, 6-1)
Hart County (7-4, 6-1)
Oconee County (4-7, 4-3)
Franklin County (5-5, 3-4)
Elbert County (4-6, 2-5)
Morgan County (1-9, 1-6)
Jackson County (1-8-1, 0-7)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
Hart County (6/5)
Eastside (3/5)
Stephens County (4/3)
Franklin County (6/5)
Elbert County (5/5)
Oconee County (4/5)
Morgan County (6/5)
Jackson County (7/5)
*Archer (N/A)
*Mountain View (N/A)
*New schools playing non-region schedules
TEAM BY TEAM
Archer Tigers
City: Lawrenceville
County: Gwinnett
Coach: Andy Dyer
Drawing from: Grayson (40 percent), Dacula (40 percent), Central Gwinnett (20 percent)
Notes: Coach Andy Dyer is a former Brookwood player under Dave Hunter who was an assistant at Mill Creek from 2005 to 2008. Dyer has hired Parkview assistants Josh Alexander (offense) and Joel Bridges (defense) as his coordinators. When Lanier High opens on Buford Highway in 2010, Gwinnett will have 18 high schools destined for the highest classification. GHSF Daily predicts that regions 7-AAAAA and 8-AAAAA some day will be north and south Gwinnett County. Archer would be in the south.
Eastside Eagles
2008 record: 11-2, 6-1 (first in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Cairo 23-6 in the quarterfinals
Average record this decade: 6-5
Coach: Rick Hurst (23-20 in four seasons)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Jay Cawthon)
Defense: 3-5 (coordinator: Jason Tester)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: RB Git Aiken
Other top players: OL Jarrett Hubbard, C Dalton Temple, RG Lane Dobbs, FS Zack Johnston, DE Jerrell Crowder, OLB Quay Maddox, OLB Jerome Ivey
Key losses: QB Justin Wray (Appalachian State), RB Broderick Alexander (Akron), WR Antarius Terrell (Presbyterian), WR Anderico Bailey (Presbyterian), DE Karl Williams (Georgia State)
Outlook: It’s tough enough to build a program. Rick Hurst took a team that was 0-10 in 2004 and 2005 and won a region in 2008. Now, the coach will find out if he’s got a program, or just had a good team. There will be some rebuilding to do as a number of impact players on both sides of the ball were lost, especially at the glamour positions. Eastside loses region player of the year Justin Wray (1,387 yards passing, 513 yards rushing), two excellent WRs and a prolific RB in Broderick Alexander (954 yards rushing, 17 TDs). QB Calif Carnes will step in for Wray. RB Git Aiken should cover for Alexander after running for more than 800 yards and scoring 13 TDs last year when Alexander was the feature back. Senior OL Jarrett Hubbard is receiving interest from several Division I-AA schools. FS Zack Johnston is the centerpiece of the defense and is being recruited by Western Kentucky, Furman and Georgia Southern. Despite the loss of a talented senior class, Hurst believes he has enough team speed to defend the region title.
Elbert County Blue Devils
2008 record: 4-6, 2-5 (sixth in region)
Average record this decade: 5-6
Coach: Brent Miller (5-15 in two seasons)
Offense: Pro I (coordinator: Jake Baker)
Defense: 4-4 (coordinator: Philip Thompson)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: OT Ethan Fortson
Other top players: C Seth Martin, OG Taylor Smith, QB Robert Huff, LB Tyler Mahaffey, FS/QB Hunter Blackmon, OLB/RB D.J. Johnson
Key losses: RB Ronnie Hughes
Outlook: Head coach Brent Miller says this is the most talented team in his three seasons at Elbert. In 2008, he had to start five freshmen on defense. Two aren’t on the team anymore, but LB Tyler Mahaffey, FS Hunter Blackmon and OLB D.J. Johnson will be stronger and better. On offense, starting QB Robert Huff is back and will split time with the more athletic Blackmon. The strength of the team will be the offensive line, where three seniors are college prospects. T Ethan Forston is getting looks from the likes of Georgia Tech and Tennessee, while C Seth Martin and G Taylor Smith are smaller college prospects. Starting RB Ronnie Hughes graduated, and freshman Tishan Dye likely will start. Miller calls Dye the best skill player he’s had in his time at the school.
Franklin County Lions
2008 record: 5-5, 3-4 (fifth in region)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Tommy Welch (5-5 in one season)
Offense: Multiple (coordinator: all offensive coaches)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Tommy Flowers)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: WR Daquan Merritt
Other top players: QB Dashan Merritt, OL B.J. McCauley, C Austin Roan, OL Kyle Ivester, LB Matthew Jackson, LB Clint Jordan, DL Kendrick Wilson, DB Adam Heaton
Key losses: RB Jay Moon, RB/DB Marcus Kelley, CB Jerry Fortson, CB Eric Demeres
Outlook: The Lions’ 27-26 loss to Oconee County proved to be the difference between the postseason and staying home, and the school’s first winning season since 2000. Instead, Oconee grabbed the region’s fourth seed, but Tommy Welch had his program knocking on the door in his first season. This season, the team must replace the production of its top two running backs, Jay Moon and Marcus Kelley (also a starter at cornerback). QB Dashan Merritt returns as a starter, which is good because the offense is complex for a beginner. The Lions show the power I, some option and some shotgun in the passing game. Merritt also is a good runner. His brother, WR Daquan Merritt, was all-region and is getting college looks. Both are seniors. Defensively, standout LB Matthew Jackson led the team with more than 100 total tackles last season. Franklin had the No. 2 scoring defense in the region last season (13.6 points).
Hart County Bulldogs
2008 record: 7-4, 6-1 (third in region)
Playoffs: Lost to North Hall 10-9 in the first round
Average record this decade: 9-3
Coach: Joby Scroggs (50-21-1 in six seasons)
Offense: I formation (coordinator: Ben Osborne)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: William DeVane)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: RB/SS Jermonte Hickman
Other top players: QB Landon Beck, RB/LB Keitius Harper, WR/FS John Vollrath, WR/FS Johnny Christopher, OL Colin Glasco, DE Dion McIntosh
Key losses: N/A
Outlook: Hart County lost 24 seniors from its 2007 team and started eight sophomores in 2008 and almost conceded that a region title wasn’t realistic. Then starting around October, the team won six straight down the stretch to forge a three-way tie at the top of 8-AAA. “Last year, we were just going to be happy to be around, and we ended up having a great year for a young bunch of kids,” said coach Joby Scroggs, who hasn’t missed the playoffs in his six seasons. This year’s team will have higher expectations, though it’s still a junior-heavy group. QB Landon Beck, a junior, threw for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore. Senior RB/SS Jermonte Hickman ran for more than 800 yards. RB/LB Keitius Harper is another outstanding runner, a fast guy (10.55 seconds over 100 meters) that can find the goal line. Both are good on defense, too. So are WR/FS John Vollrath (22 catches, 400 yards) and WR/FS Johnn Christopher (an up-and-comer who was in his first year of football last season). DE Deon McIntosh is a 4.5 guy in the 40, a 200-meter runner in track. Lineman Colin Glasco is a preseason GHSF Daily all-state player and is being recruiting by high Division I-AA teams. “It seems to be a good core of kids,” Scroggs said. “I’m very impressed with the speed. The defense will be a strong point.”
Jackson County Panthers
2008 record: 1-8-1, 0-7 (eighth in region)
Average record this decade: 1-9
Coach: Billy Kirk (1-18-1 in two seasons)
Offense: Multiple option (coordinator: Carl Cole)
Defense: Multiple 50 (coordinator: Jay Reid)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: LB Nick Oney
Other top players: QB Alex Crawford, TE Jon Holton, DB Charlie Waycaster, RB Rob Williams
Key losses: N/A
Outlook: It has been tough for Jackson County since the county enrollment was split with new high school East Jackson, and the numbers reflect it. According to head coach Billy Kirk, the school is about 80 students short of the Class AAA minimum, making Jackson County the smallest school in the region. But Kirk also stresses that his team, despite recent struggles, returns more talent than in recent years. Many young players have had to step up and get varsity time in 2007 and ’08, and Kirk believes that should make this team more competitive. Returning is LB Nick Oney, who was the team’s defensive MVP last season. QB Alex Crawford missed some time with a concussion last year, and Oney stepped in at quarterback. The team will still be young overall but has a great chance to increase its win total.
Morgan County Bulldogs
2008 record: 1-9, 1-6 (seventh in region)
Average record this decade: 7-5
Coach: Bill Malone (8-13 in two seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Clint Jenkins)
Defense: 4-4 (coordinator: Jay Reid)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: QB/RB/DB Terence Harper
Other top players: DT Asie Tolbert, ILB Wesley Barrett, OLB A.J. Smith, RB Antwon Carter, WB/TE Zach Shepherd, FS Drew Stapleton
Key losses: FB Ryan Glosson, OLB/WR Clay Duvall
Outlook: Forced to rely on youth and inexperience, the Bulldogs missed the playoffs for the first time in 12 years last season. The team is still young, according to head coach Bill Malone, but participation has been great over the summer, and the team did well at 7-on-7 passing tournaments at Apalachee and Oconee County. The team will look to control the clock with the running game, led by junior RB Antwon Carter and do-everything back Terence Harper, who will see time at QB and RB, as well as CB on defense. The quarterback platoon is completed by junior J.D. Hawkins, who started seven games. He is a roll-out passer. On defense, the staff is expecting big things from ILB Wesley Barrett, and DT Asie Tolbert will anchor the middle of the line.
Mountain View Bears
City: Lawrenceville
County: Gwinnett
Coach: Tim Hardy
Drawing from: Collins Hill, Dacula, Mill Creek
Notes: Coach Tim Hardy spent the past nine seasons at Wheaton College in Illinois as offensive coordinator. While at Wheaton, Hardy coached two sons of Jimmy Chupp, Mountain View’s athletics director. Expect to see Mountain View in a future region with north Gwinnett schools such as Peachtree Ridge and North Gwinnett. Mountain View is off I-85 about three miles past the I-985 split.
Oconee County Warriors
2008 record: 4-7, 4-3 (fourth in region)
Average record this decade: 5-6
Playoffs: Lost to Gainesville 49-21 in the first round
Coach: Mitch Olson (4-7 in one season)
Offense: Spread option (coordinator: Justin Barnes)
Defense: 4-4 (coordinator: Geoff Lewis)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: RB Jamie Stephens
Other top players: QB Hutch Roper, C Max Leibl, OT Sean Reich, DE Donovan Thomas, DT Roderick Laguins, DT Latteral Davis, OLB Blaze Burgess, ILB Kyle Morris
Key losses: QB Zach Mettenberger (Georgia), WR Scott Woodall, WR Bernie Pritchard, WR Blake Sailors, WR Isaac Gibbons
Outlook: Could Oconee County be better without Zach Mettenberger? Head coach Mitch Olson doesn’t rule it out, citing opposing defenses’ tendency to key on the pass last season. The Warriors threw the ball about 75 percent of the time because of Mettenberger’s arm, a weaker backfield and a good receiver set. This year, Oconee County will be much more balanced and will switch to a West Virginia-style offense behind senior QB Hutch Roper, who moves from WR. The Warriors ran a variation of the run-and-shoot last season. RB Jamie Stephens, a three-year starter, is getting some small college looks. The defensive line will be the strength on that side of the ball, as senior DTs Roderick Laguins and Latteral Davis return, as well as DE Donovan Thomas, who also is a college prospect. The defense, overall, should be much improved after allowing a region-worst 30.2 points per game.
Stephens County Indians
2008 record: 8-3, 6-1 (second in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Flowery Branch 42-21 in the first round
Average record this decade: 10-2
Coach: Travis Noland (40-8 in four seasons)
Offense: Multiple I (coordinator: Travis Noland)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Ronnie Royston)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 3 on defense
Best player: QB Dacen Cash
Other top players: WR Quan Trammell, OL Ty Singletary, C Kadaryl Burtch, LB Jai Holland, LB Chandler Fisher, DE Jake Thornton
Key losses: RB Ren Teasley, TE/S Cody Martin
Outlook: It may be a year of transition for the Indians, who have made the playoffs every year since 1996 and reached double-digit wins eight times in that span. There are a load of departed starters on both sides of the ball, including four of the five starting offensive linemen and nearly the entire secondary. OL Ty Singletary is the lone returning starter on the unit, and C Kadaryl Burtch is back for his senior campaign after missing all of last year with a torn ACL; he saw lots of playing time as a sophomore. The biggest loss is RB Ren Teasley (1,282 yards, 13 touchdowns). Returning is QB Dacen Cash, a three-year starting senior who threw for more than 1,200 yards and is a threat to run. On defense, the linebacker corps is the strongest part with Jai Holland and Chandler Fisher returning as starters. There will be lots of two-way players for the Indians. The early season will tell a lot about the team, with non-region contests against Flowery Branch, Seneca (S.C.) and LaGrange.
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