The following is an excerpt from the August 20 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-AAAAA:
What it is: Region 7-AAAAA consists of 10 teams in north metro Atlanta from Forsyth, Fulton and Gwinnett counties. They play an eight-game round-robin, meaning not every team plays ever other one in the region, which gives certain teams a better, or tougher, schedule. For example, 2008 playoff teams Collins Hill and North Gwinnett don’t play each other.
Defending champion: Peachtree Ridge
Best player: RB Charles Perkins, Collins Hill
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
#2 Peachtree Ridge (12-3, 8-0)
#7 North Gwinnett (10-3, 7-1)
Norcross (8-4, 6-2)
Collins Hill (8-3, 6-2)
Mill Creek (6-4, 4-4)
North Forsyth (5-5, 4-4)
Chattahoochee (3-7, 3-5)
South Forsyth (3-7, 2-6)
Northview (0-10, 0-8)
Duluth (0-10, 0-8)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
Peachtree Ridge (7/6)
North Gwinnett (5/5)
Norcross (7/4)
Collins Hill (4/6)
North Forsyth (6/9)
South Forsyth (6/5)
Mill Creek (4/6)
Chattahoochee (8/8)
Northview (3/4)
Duluth (5/6)
TEAM BY TEAM
Chattahoochee Cougars
2008 record: 3-7, 3-5 (seventh in region)
Average record this decade: 7-5
Coach: Terry Crowder (24-28 in five seasons)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Scott Carmichael)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinators: Scott Williams, Ryan Corbett)
Starters returning: 8 on offense, 8 on defense
Best player: WR Kevin Martin
Other top players: LB Zach Hipes, RB/WR Jonathon Bailey, OL Nick Amat
Key losses: QB Brenden Cross (Wake Forest)
Outlook: The Cougars have more starters returning than any team in the region. It will be tough going without three-year starting QB Brenden Cross (1,658 yards passing, 568 yards rushing), though. Chattahoochee was a top-scoring offense last season, putting up 24.9 points per game, better than region champ Peachtree Ridge. The new QB is Timmy Byerly, a junior. WR Kevin Martin, who set a school record with 60 receptions, is back. He’s being recruited by mid-major Division I-A teams. LB Zach Hipes (125 tackles) was the team’s leading tackler last season. Chattahoochee has a chance to be the region’s most improved team, but it will need to be much tougher on defense and in close games. The Cougars were 0-3 in games decided by four points or less last year.
Collins Hill Eagles
2008 record: 8-3, 7-2 (fourth in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Grayson 31-7 in the first round
Average record this decade: 7-4
Coach: Bill Wells (8-3 in one season)
Offense: Multiple I formation (coordinator: Kevin Reach)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Larry Massey)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 6 of defense
Best player: TB Charles Perkins
Other top players: LB Zach Davis (Tulane), QB Taylor Heinricke, LB Travis Parker, DL Jimmy Bayer, WR/DB/P Chris Caspari, TE Dustin Hallmark
Key losses: QB Michael Box (Connecticut), LB Curtis Guest
Outlook: Collins Hill has the top tailback in the region in Charles Perkins (almost 1,300 yards rushing last season). He’s 6 feet, 1 inch, with 4.4 speed over 40 yards – “the real deal,” as coach Bill Wells puts it. The other three returning starters are linemen, so expect Collins Hill to have a fairly predictable but tough to defend offense. The new QB is Taylor Heinicke, who doesn’t have quite the arm of Michael Box (who signed with Connecticut) but is more well-rounded. On defense, the front seven returns five starters and should be a strength. LB Zach Davis has committed to Tulane. The Eagles must replace MLB Curtis Guest, the school’s all-time leading tackler. Collins Hill’s main challenge will be to find some leaders to replace Box and Guest.
Duluth Wildcats
2008 record: 0-10, 0-8 (tied for ninth in region)
Average record this decade: 2-8
Coach: Gary McDonald (0-10 in one season)
Offense: I formation (coordinator: Lex Blazix)
Defense: 3-4 (coordinator: Chris Patterson)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: TE Hamilton Garner
Other top players: QB Alex Fragoso, LB Marvin Johnson, LB Cory Page, LB Justin Dixon
Key losses: LB/FB Quinton Cobb
Outlook: Duluth is on a bad roll, with just five victories in five seasons. Gary McDonald, in his second season, is slowly replenishing the numbers in the program. There were only nine seniors on the 2008 team and just 19 on this one, which pales compared to Gwinnett County’s mega-programs. The coach believes the Wildcats will be better on offense and said he’s got better skill people than the team has had in a few years. QB Alex Fragoso threw for more than 800 yards, and TE Hamilton Greer caught 27 balls. Most of the inexperience is on the defense. The strength on that side is the linebackers. Duluth will miss LB/FB Quinton Cobb, the team’s leading rusher and tackler. “We’ve got a good junior class,” McDonald said. “We’re still a year from where we can see the difference, but I think we’ll be better this year also.”
Mill Creek Hawks
2008 record: 6-4, 4-4 (tied for fifth in region)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Shannon Jarvis (21-30 in five seasons)
Offense: Multiple (coordinator: Josh Lovelady)
Defense: 3-5 (coordinator: Tommy Scott)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: LB Rickey Fawbush
Other top players: DE Huram Joseph, DB/WR Casey Windom, RB Tyler Cierski, DE Leon Flowers, DB Marcus Kruzel, WR Brandon Hayman, OL Tommy Henderson
Key losses: OL Micah James, DL Ryan Robinson
Outlook: Mill Creek is coming off 6-4 and 7-4 finishes in one of Georgia’s top-heavy regions. With only four starters returning on offense, the key will be finding a quarterback, a tailback and solid unit on the line around the two returning starters (T Tommy Henderson, C Austin Hagan). The QB figures to be Nick Orangio, who attempted one pass last season. The top tailback is Tyler Cierski (424 yards). Mill Creek was shut out twice last season. On defense, Mill Creek’s strengths lie in the secondary and the linebackers. The core group is experienced and battle-ready.
Norcross Blue Devils
2008 record: 8-4, 6-2 (third in region)
Average record this decade: 7-4
Playoffs: Lost to Woodstock 14-10 in the second round
Coach: Keith Maloof (72-37 in 10 seasons)
Offense: I formation/pro set (coordinators: Dale Farr, Steve Sims)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Pat Standard)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: OL Max Garcia
Other top players: WR/DB Arius Wright, WR Jeremy Davis, PK/P Connor Hawk, MLB Seth Hinsley, DE/LB/TE Demetrius Alston, TB Kendrick Huitt, TB Delino DeShields
Key losses: RB D.J. Adams (Maryland), Charles King (Hutchinson College), Steven Smith (Tuskegee), CB Prince Kent (Miami)
Outlook: Keith Maloof, in his 11th season at Norcross, says how his team replaces star RB D.J. Adams (1,584 yards rushing) will be the big question mark for his opener Saturday against Walton in the Georgia Dome. It didn’t hurt that TB Delino DeShields (more than 800 yards rushing for Woodward Academy) decided to come to Norcross over the summer. He and Kendrick Huitt are two of the fastest backs any defense will be defending in 7-AAAAA. Norcross also must replace QB Charles King (more than 1,400 yards passing last season). The job will go to Ronald Rose, who started at cornerback last season. Matt Poole, who hurt his shoulder in the summer, could win the job by midseason when he returns. The rest of the offense is experienced. Receivers Arius Wright and Jeremy Davis are outstanding and will make Norcross balanced if they can get the ball. On defense, only four starters return, but Maloof is encouraged. “We should be the same as we’ve been the last few years, hard-nosed and get-after-it,” he said. Norcross has the region’s best punter/kicker in Connor Hawk.
North Forsyth Raiders
2008 record: 5-5, 4-4 (tied for fifth in region)
Average record this decade: 5-6
Coach: Jared Zito (6-14 in two seasons)
Offense: Split-back veer (coordinator: Jared Zito)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Gary Hughes)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 9 on defense
Best player: OL Ryan Marks
Other top players: RB Tyler Slaton, WR Aaron Busse, RB/DB Steven Hester, DB/WR Nick Saponara, LB Quinton Riley, DE Austin Kahler, DB Tyler Riddle
Key losses: QB Eli Chester (Washington & Lee), WR Jordan Totten (Birmingham Southern), RB Jory Walsh, LB Jeremy Chappell, DB/K Corey Reins (Cumberlands)
Outlook: North Forsyth is in its third season with its coaching staff (1-9, 5-5 the past two seasons) and is looking to take it to the next level – the playoffs. North Forsyth will play all seniors and juniors, so it’s a team with maturity and experience. The top players are lineman Ryan Marks (offers from top Division I-AA schools) and RB Tyler Slaton (1,100 yards rushing last season as a sophomore). The QB is Joey Vicary, who is fast and athletic and will improve the option part of the offense. If he can manage a game as well as his predecessor, Eli Chester, North Forsyth could be a surprise team in 2009. “With Vicary, Slaton and the addition of Steven Hester [three-year starter in the secondary] into the backfield, it may be the most talented group I have had the privilege to coach,” coach Jared Zito said.
North Gwinnett Bulldogs
2008 record: 10-3, 7-1 (second in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Newnan 20-3 in the quarterfinals
Average record this decade: 7-4
Coach: Bob Sphire (34-7 in three seasons)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Bob Sphire)
Defense: Odd stack (coordinator: Maurice Dixon)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: T Austin Shepherd (Alabama)
Other top players: Ja’Wuan James (Alabama), DL Ayo Ojolola, LB David Park, FS Will Compton, DB Trey Sims, DL John Gibson-Green
Key losses: QB Mikey Tamburo (Boise State), WR Tyler Jarry (Georgia Tech walk-on), DB Zach Humphrey, WR Kenny Barnes (Wofford), Robert Nelson (Louisiana-Monroe), Jake Thomas (Valdosta State)
Outlook: Talk about book-end tackles. Get a load of these guys: Ja’Waun James (6-6, 295) and Austin Shepherd (6-5, 310). Both have committed to Alabama. They’ll be keeping the heat off new QB C.J. Uzomah, who replaces three year-starter Mikey Tamburo (2,198 yards passing, 915 yards rushing last season). Uzomah, a 6-5 junior, played wide receiver quite a bit last season. He’s been very impressive in passing leagues. The defense returns a wealth of playmakers. The five returning starters each had at least 40 tackles and five tackles for losses. At issue for North Gwinnett is whether the loss of a couple of real difference-makers in this program – Tamburro and the versatile Tyler Jarry (881 yards rushing, 771 yards receiving) – will set the Bulldogs back. North Gwinnett has won at least 10 games in each of Bob Sphire’s three seasons. Not many are volunteering to predict that success is at an end.
Northview Titans
2008 record: 0-10, 0-8 (tied for ninth in region)
Average record this decade: 2-8
Coach: Jim Showfety (0-10 in one season)
Offense: Triple option (coordinator: Jim Showfety)
Defense: 3-4 (coordinator: Doug Britten)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: OL/DL Denzel McCoy
Other top players: TE/DL Cameron Fordham (LSU), C Christian Ericson, T Taylor Malone
Key losses: T Blake Tillis, LB Jarrod Neser
Outlook: Jim Showfety, a former Marist assistant who led Chamblee to the semifinals in 2007, went winless in his first season at Northview, a North Fulton school that started football in 2002 but hasn’t had a winning season. The team began off-season workouts right after Thanksgiving, determined not to endure another season like 2008. It’s nice to have building blocks such as Denzel McCoy and Cameron Fordham, linemen with ACC and SEC offers. The team’s linemen are impressive. Not many starters return, but Showfety will have a team that’s more comfortable in the triple option and determined to make a better showing. The new QB is Kane Whitehurst, a junior who played some last year before breaking his collarbone. “We’re not going to blow people away with size and speed, but we can certainly play with heart and desire,” Showfety said. “Slowly but surely, our team is starting to understand the level of commitment necessary to be competitive in this region.”
Peachtree Ridge Lions
2008 record: 12-3, 8-0 (region champions)
Average record this decade: 7-5
Playoffs: Lost to Camden County 21-7 in the state championship game
Coach: Bill Ballard (20-7 in two seasons)
Offense: Multiple I-formation (coordinator: Pat Gliatta)
Defense: 3-4 (coordinator: Bill Ballard)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 6 on defense
Top players: CB Brian Williams, RB Brandon Stanley, WR Willie Udofia, WR Brad Roby, QB Nick Lombardo, SS Juan Burnett, FS Sterling Jones, RB/CB Steve Atwater, MG Eric Mitchell, OLB Tyler Botts, SLB Tanner Botts, LB Eric Odonkor, LB A.J. McDonald, T Jordan Boatright, G Austin Lowshart, G Trevor McBurnett
Key losses: LB Kevin Minter (LSU), RB Ronnie Smith, TE Conner Orr, DB Connor Norman
Outlook: Simply put, this team is dripping with talent and experience that puts it on the short list of teams people think can win the state title. The team’s best back, Ronnie Smith, is gone, but RB Brandon Stanley rushed for nearly 1,000 yards. He’ll be the focus of a balanced offense. QB Nick Lombardo quietly threw for 1,536 yards and 12 TDs. WR Brad Roby (Vanderbilt) and WR Willie Udofia are two of the better pair at their position in Gwinnett County. The line is imposing, with Jordan Boatright (6-4, 270), Trevor McBurnett (6-3, 300) and Austin Lowshart (6-3, 270). On defense, LB Kevin Minter is off to LSU, but twins Tyler and Tanner Botts (both 6-3, 225) have scholarship offers from West Virginia, and they’re just juniors. The secondary is hard to match anywhere. CB Brian Williams has committed to Indiana. CB Steve Atwater and SS Juan Burnette have Division I-A offers. “We’ve got a senior team with lot of kids with a good deal of experience,” coach Bill Ballard said. “That’s a positive. The big thing is coming together as a team and developing their own identity. That’s always a big deal.”
South Forsyth War Eagles
2008 record: 3-7, 2-6 (eighth in region)
Average record this decade: 6-5
Coach: Wendell Early (3-7 in one season)
Offense: Spread (coordinators: Todd Faulkner, Jake Martin)
Defense: 4-2-5 (coordinator: Josh Hawkins)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: TB/MLB Brett Sharron
Other top players: QB Nick Belyew, DE/T Kyle Travis, DB/WR Austin Jones, C Josh Butler, FS/WR Joe Outlaw, K/P Paul Buurman
Key losses: LB Jeff Becker, LB Curtis Parker, LB Shawn Daunhauer
Outlook: Wendell Early, in his second season since coming from Berkmar, says South Forsyth is better in preseason than it was at any point in 2008. And at times, South Forsyth was pretty good – playing tight games against Peachtree Ridge (22-16) and Collins Hill (31-18). The team is in the second year of the spread offense after converting from the Wing T, which took some time to take. Quarterback Nick Belyew, who started the second half of the season after Kentucky signee Brian Adams was lost to injury, is vastly improved, Early says. TB/LB Brett Sharron, a junior, rushed for more than 700 yards last year as a sophomore. He’s a 230-pounder and also plays linebacker. DE/T Kyle Travis (6-5, 230) could be the team’s best athlete. WR/DB Austin Jones is a fast, physical wide receiver. South Forsyth has a good kicker and punter. “We’re better by leaps and bounds,” Early said. “I don’t know if it will translate into more wins, but we’re a better football team. I’ll guarantee you that.”
Region Preview: 8-AAAAA:
What it is: Region 8-AAAAA consists of nine Gwinnett County teams that play a round-robin to determine its four playoff teams.
Defending champion: Grayson
Best player: RB Ean Pemberton, Grayson
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
#3 Grayson (13-1, 8-0)
Parkview (7-4, 6-2)
Brookwood (6-5, 6-2)
Dacula (5-6, 5-3)
South Gwinnett (4-6, 4-4)
Central Gwinnett (3-7, 3-5)
Berkmar (3-7, 2-6)
Shiloh (4-6, 2-6)
Meadowcreek (1-9, 0-8)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
Grayson (5/4)
Brookwood (3/4)
Parkview (4/9)
South Gwinnett (5/7)
Dacula (4/7)
Shiloh (7/3)
Central Gwinnett (5/7)
Berkmar (4/4)
Meadowcreek (3/3)
TEAM BY TEAM
Berkmar Patriots
2008 record: 3-7, 2-6 (seventh in region)
Average record this decade: 3-7
Coach: John Thompson (3-7 in one season)
Offense: Multiple (coordinator: Jeremy Edwards)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Jeff McCord)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: QB Xaviir Briggs
Other top players: OL Neil Dwyer, WR/DB Jordan Murray, DB Kerry Brown, LB Marques McNeil, DB Elijah Mitchell, DE Isaiah Oyemakinwa, OL Norman Booker
Key losses: LB Troy Davis (Central Florida), DB Kadeem Wise (Chattanooga), LB Mike Sealand (Mount St. Joseph’s), DB Brandon Aldridge (North Greenville)
Outlook: Head coach John Thompson looks to turn things around in his second year at Berkmar. QB Xaviir Briggs, a talented playmaker, will again lead the offense. He will be behind the protection of a veteran offensive line, with Neil Dwyer and Norman Booker leading the way. On defense, four starters are back from a unit that must improve, despite losing three talented players to college ball. Two of them – LB Troy Davis and DB Kadeem Wise – made first team all-Gwinnett County last year. If Thompson wants his team to take a step forward and have a winning record in 2009, the team must develop better chemistry and avoid costly mistakes that hurt it last season.
Brookwood Broncos
2008 record: 6-5, 6-2 (third in region)
Playoffs: Lost to North Gwinnett 34-10 in the first round
Average record this decade: 9-3
Coach: Mark Crews (69-18 in seven seasons)
Offense: I-formation (coordinator: Mark Crews)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinators: David Nelson and Dale Moore)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: QB Ben McLane
Other top players: S Nick Moore, RB/DE Marvis Lane, FB Alan King, LB David Cooper
Key losses: G Kellen Williams (Alabama), LB Chris Martin (Jackson State), LB Michael Brown, DL Anthony Leonard
Outlook: While 2008 was certainly not a bad season for the Broncos, six wins for a team that has averaged nine a year this decade is not par for head coach Mark Crews. The defense returns four starters from a group that allowed just 8.1 points per game in region play last year. The linebacker core will be the strength. Offensively, junior QB Ben McLane is poised for a big year after a great off-season. If the Broncos can avoid the critical mistakes that cost them last year (three of their five losses were by a touchdown or less), Crews believes his team could make a deep run into the playoffs. The Broncos looked pretty good in a scrimmage victory against Walton last week.
Central Gwinnett Black Knights
2008 record: 3-7, 3-5 (sixth in region)
Average record this decade: 5-6
Coach: Ed Stokes (3-7 in one season)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Ed Stokes)
Defense: 4-4 (coordinator: Mike Dunning)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: LB/RB Trokon Gaye
Other top players: DB Lance Holder, LB Cornelius Winters, RB Al Mayes, QB Stephen Bott
Key losses: OL Kaycee Ike (Alabama-Birmingham), RB Diante Drake, DT Justin Kelly
Outlook: After winning three of the last five games in 2008, second-year coach Ed Stokes hopes his team can maintain some of that momentum. The Black Knights should have one of the region’s tougher defenses, led by two senior linebackers, Trokon Gaye and Cornelius Winters. Gaye was second team all-Gwinnett last season. DB Lance Holder makes opposing quarterbacks think twice before throwing his way. Offensively, the Black Knights lose star RB Diante Drake, but Al Mayes is a talented senior who will be expected to take over the load. QB Stephen Bott also returns. Central Gwinnett opens Aug. 29 against South Carolina state champion Byrnes at North Gwinnett.
Dacula Falcons
2008 record: 5-6, 5-3 (fourth in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Peachtree Ridge 17-0 in the first round
Average record this decade: 6-5
Coach: Kevin Maloof (137-69 in 18 seasons)
Offense: Multiple (coordinator: John Poitevint)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Kevin Maloof)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: DB Darien Lane
Other top players: DE Elijah Malaley, T Garrett Johnson, FB Taylor Roberts, TB Aashad Holloway, WR Jake Brown, DB Dexter Walker, DB Darian Lane, DE Elijah Malaley, DE Abange Aaiyembi, DT Robert Harvey, LB Skyler Richards, LB Kinard Thomas
Key losses: QB Hunter Watts, WR Marshall Steed, OL Cody Ames
Outlook: For a team with only five victories, Dacula wasn’t bad last season. Three losses were by three points or less. The highlight was the school’s first victory against Parkview, 21-0. The Falcons have a good nucleus of returning starters with a mixture of skill players and linemen. This should be one of the region’s best defenses. DB Darien Lane (81 tackles) and DE Elijah Malaley got all-county recognition in 2008. Dacula ranked 16th in Class AAAAA in scoring defense, allowing 14.5 points. It was the offense that was mediocre. Dacula’s hopes rest on rebuilding its offensive line – only T Garrett Johnson returns among starters. The new quarterback is Anderson Agudelo, replacing Hunter Watts. Dacula also needs to find backs and receivers that can make plays.
Grayson Rams
2008 record: 13-1, 8-0 (region champions)
Playoffs: Lost to Peachtree Ridge 13-10 (2OT) in the semifinals
Average record this decade: 7-4
Coach: Mickey Conn (63-32 in nine seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: O.J. Soto)
Defense: 3-4 (coordinator: Robert Andrews)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: RB Ean Pemberton
Other top players: DL Shawn Green (Georgia Tech), S Kori Gaines (BYU), DL Joseph Champaign, LB Terry Williams
Key losses: LB Jonathon Langston (Gardner-Webb), OT Harrison Clottey (Georgia State), OT Jacob Mwinami, QB Tyler Horne
Outlook: After coming up just short in a double-overtime thriller against Peachtree Ridge in last year’s semifinals, the Rams have their eyes on the state championship this year. Ranked No. 2 in preseason (and No. 5 in the nation by one national poll), Grayson will have one of the stronger ground attacks in the state, with jitterbug RB Ean Pemberton (1,950 yards and 14 TDs in ’08) in the backfield and a stout offensive line. The Rams will be breaking in a new starting QB in senior Patrick Santry, but he’s been in the system since eighth grade and could even add a little more passing touch to Grayson’s battering-ram offense. Defensively, you will be hard-pressed to find a better line in the state, led by seniors Joseph Champaign (led Gwinnett County with 13 sacks) and Shawn Green, a Georgia Tech commit. The underrated Terry Williams could be Gwinnett’s best linebacker. Safety Kori Gaines anchors down a lockdown secondary. Grayson had the third-ranked defense in Class AAAAA last season, allowing just 8.5 points per game. Grayson opens against Class AAAAA champion Camden County this Saturday in the Georgia Dome.
Meadowcreek Mustangs
2008 record: 1-9, 0-8 (ninth in region)
Average record this decade: 1-9
Coach: David Ward (first season)
Offense: West Coast (coordinator: David Ward)
Defense: Nickel (coordinator: Deario Grimmage)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 3 on defense
Best player: QB Tydrell Wright
Other top players: OL Patterson Ambro, DE/TE Lavon Books, OL Wilfred Irie
Key losses: QB/LB Sean Frezzel, WR/S Cory Huck
Outlook: New coach David Ward looks to turn around a program that has not been to the playoffs in more than 20 years. A Massachusetts native, Ward has coached in seven states from Nebraska to Florida and was 3-7 and 4-6 at Mitchell County (2006-07) in South Georgia. For Ward to get things going in the right direction, he believes it starts with establishing a winning mentality. “We’ve got good ball players, but the key for our team is from the neck up,” Ward said. He believes his team has shown good tenacity, particularly on defense. Converted WR Tydrell Wright will play QB behind an experienced offensive line led by Patterson Ambro.
Parkview Panthers
2008 record: 7-4, 6-2 (second in region)
Playoffs: Lost to Norcross 20-17 in the first round
Average record this decade: 11-3
Coach: Cecil Flowe (171-39 in 16 seasons)
Offense: Multiple pro (coordinator: Robert Hill)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Chad McGehee)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 9 on defense
Best player: CB Jullian Vann
Top players: QB Kalik Barnes, RB A.J. Carroll, WR Jay Davis, WR Kamau Brown, C Brooks Davis, LB/FB Matt Johnson, CB/RB Christian Newsome, DT Walter McGriff, DE Kendrick Adams, LB Ike Onike, LB Kenny Flowers
Key losses: RB Brandon Jacobs (Auburn), TE Jared Polak, DB Bryce Rosser
Outlook: Parkview was a couple of plays from being a Top 10 team last season (lost to Grayson 24-22 and Norcross 20-17). This team will have the same opportunities if it can build an offensive line from near scratch. The offense must grow its way into contention after losing first team all-Class AAAAA RB Brandon Jacobs (1,577 yards rushing) and four starters on the line, including three who are college-bound players. Parkview was one of Gwinnett’s top-scoring teams in 2008, averaging 28.2 points per game.The defense should be fine with nine starters returning, including LB Matt Johnson and DB Jullian Vann, who made all-county teams. Expect Parkview to be disciplined and physical, as usual, but the Panthers will have to find a way to block somebody to contend for the region title.
Shiloh Generals
2008 record: 4-6, 2-6 (eighth in region)
Average record this decade: 3-7
Coach: Keith Wilkes (4-6 in one season)
Offense: West Coast (coordinator: Keith Wilkes)
Defense: 3-3-5
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 3 on defense
Best player: RB Eugene Glenn
Other top players: C Bobby Freeman, K Cooper Davis, LB Jaware James
Key losses: DE/TE Cameron Whigham (Ole Miss), OT Kadeem Boyd (Southern University)
Outlook: In his first year at Shiloh, head coach Keith Wilkes was able to double the school’s win total from 2007. For an encore, the coach would like to get his team into the playoffs. Shiloh returns a veteran offense, with seven starters back, not including QB Derrick Butts, who had some experience last year. RB Eugene Glenn brings his track speed to the football field at tailback. Glenn ran a 10.90-second 100-meter dash in the Georgia Olympics. Center Bobby Freeman anchors a stout offensive line.
South Gwinnett Comets
2008 record: 4-6, 4-4 (fifth in region)
Average record this decade: 6-5
Coach: John Small (18-23 in four seasons)
Offense: No-huddle spread
Defense: Multiple
Returning starters: 5 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: WR Jonathan Krause (Vanderbilt)
Other top players: RB Aaron Wimberly, DB Chaz Jackson, DL Christopher Sledge
Key losses: QB Michael Polascik (Cumberlands), DB Cortez Johnson (Furman)
Outlook: South Gwinnett had what could’ve been a playoff team in 2008 were it not for a couple of games that got away in midseason against Dacula and Parkview, both tight losses. These Comets should be in the mix until the end. Team speed and experience are the strengths. QB Michael Polascik (1,843 yards passing, 14 TDs) is a tough loss, but South returns WR Jonathan Krause (62 receptions), RB Aaron Wimberly (852 yards rushing as a sophomore) and DB Chaz Jackson (team-leading 95 tackles). If new QB Kent Rollins, a junior, can develop quickly and South can be more consistent, a playoff berth is realistic.
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