2020 High School Football Season Preview

August 27, 2020 | Nor thFulton.com An Appen Media Group Publication

2 | August 27, 2020 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

New regions another component to unique season

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com NORTH METRO ATLANTA — The 2020 Georgia high school football season will be historic for a bevy of reasons. While new regions won’t be at the top of the list, they add another intriguing factor to an already compelling season that has yet to kick off.

All local teams will see a shakeup in the region from last year with the 202021 GHSA region realignment. Some, like Denmark, Alpharetta, Blessed Trinity and Northview are in completely new regions. Others will face new opponents in their fight to earn a region title.

The team making the most significant jump is Denmark, which will now compete in the state’s highest classification, 7A, after playing in Class 4A its first two seasons as a program. Originally the GHSA placed the Danes in 6A in a region comprised of mostly Gwinnett County schools, but Denmark won its appeal to move to Region 6-7A to join its Forsyth County neighbors.

The Danes join West Forsyth, North Forsyth, Forsyth Central, Lambert, South Forsyth and Gainesville in Region 6-7A. Joining Denmark as another newcomer to Class 7A is Alpharetta, up from 6A. The Raiders competed in the state’s highest classification from 2006 to 2015 but were not placed in Class 7A when it was established in 2016-17.

With the move, Alpharetta will join rivals Milton and Roswell in Region 5-7A. The three North Fulton schools have not competed in the same region since 2011-12.

Milton and Roswell’s bitter rivalry will extend to the field for the 66th time this season, making the series by far the most contested among local programs. The teams have not met in region play since 2015.

Roswell is familiar with the other schools in the updated region — Etowah, Cherokee and Woodstock. The Hornets faced the three Cherokee County teams in region play the past four seasons.

Dunwoody continues its ascent up in classifications and has now landed on the peak to join Class 7A. In 2010, the Wildcats were in 4A and have steadily risen in classification. Dunwoody has tough sledding ahead in its new region, 7-7A. The Wildcats are the only team outside of Gwinnett County and will face powerhous-

Region alignments for 2020-21 REGION 5-7A Alpharetta Cherokee Etowah Milton Roswell Woodstock

REGION 6-7A Denmark Forsyth Central Gainesville Lambert North Forsyth South Forsyth West Forsyth REGION 7-7A Archer Berkmar Discovery Duluth Dunwoody Meadowcreek Norcross

REGION 7-6A Cambridge Centennial Chattahoochee Creekview Johns Creek River Ridge Riverwood Sequoyah REGION 5-5A Chamblee Clarkston Cross Keys Decatur Lithonia M. L. King Northview Southwest DeKalb St. Pius X Stone Mountain

REGION 7-5A Blessed Trinity Calhoun Cartersville Cass Hiram Woodland (Cartersville) REGION 6-A (PRIVATE) Brandon Hall* Fellowship Christian King’s Ridge Lakeview Academy Mt. Bethel Christian* Mt. Pisgah Christian St. Francis Weber School* *does not compete in football

es like Archer and Norcross.

After capturing three straight Class 4A state championships, Blessed Trinity has made an unwilling jump to 5A. The Georgia High School Association implemented a double-multiplier rule for 2020-21, which means any student who attends a school outside his or her home district is counted as two students.

With artificially inflated enrollment numbers, BT was forced to move up to 5A. They school appealed the decision, but it was overturned the GHSA. While several local schools are now in higher classes, only one school, Northview, will move down in classification.

The Titans have been reassigned to Class 5A, dropping from Region 7-6A which included many of their fellow North Fulton schools. Northview will now compete in a 10-school region comprised of mostly DeKalb County schools.

For other local programs, the 2020-21 season won’t involve a shift in region, but it will usher in new region opponents.

Cambridge, Centennial, Chattahoochee and Johns Creek remain in 7-6A and will now compete with River Ridge, Creekview and Sequoyah from Cherokee County and Riverwood from Atlanta.

North Fulton Class-A Private schools will continue as region foes.

Fellowship Christian, King’s Ridge, Mount Pisgah and St. Francis will remain in Region 6-A, which has been updated.

Only one other school, Mount Bethel, remained in the region, while several others — Brandon Hall School, Lakeview Academy and Weber School — were added.

Brandon Hall, Mount Bethel and Weber School do not field football teams.

Pinecrest Academy was placed into the region, but the school has chosen to play 8-man football in a non-GHSA league.

The updated region also nixes subregions “A” and “B” to create one, cohesive grouping of schools.

Mount Pisgah had originally been placed into another region but won its appeal to stay in 6-A.

been changed, then changed again as the state and local districts have pushed back the start of the season. There is still the lingering question of whether the season will be played at all.

We are presenting this section with the information that was available and true on Aug. 21 when these previews went to print. Of course, with the constantly changing news and announce-

ments regarding the fall sports season, it is possible some of the information may be outdated as you read these previews. However, we still want to highlight the fantastic student-athletes and coaches in our area and give our readers insight and an outlook for the 2020 season, no matter what it may ultimately look like.

— Joe Parker

Several programs enter new coaching eras

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com NORTH METRO ATLANTA — With school doors locked, spring workouts cancelled and summer conditioning delayed and separated into small groups, 2020 is not the ideal season to begin a head coaching job at a new school. But eight new head coaches will make their debuts this season at North Fulton and Forsyth County programs.

Forsyth County schools saw a significant turnover, with four new coaches taking the reins at the area’s six schools.

Denmark’s Mike Palmieri has come in from an out-of-state program.

Before taking over the Danes, Palmieri most recently led Mallard Creek High School in North Carolina. There, Palmieri racked up 139 wins in 13 seasons, won three state championships from 2013-15 and was twice named the North Carolina Associated Press Coach of the Year.

Palmieri replaces Terry Crowder, who was seeking a private school coaching position for the 2020 season and landed at King’s Ridge.

Crowder led the Danes to a 12-8 record with a playoff berth in their first two seasons of play. The Tigers’ new head coach brings a wealth of experience to Kings’ Ridge with 103 wins under his belt. He led Chatta-

See COACHES, Page 4

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

A season of unknowns The 2020 football high school football season will be one like no other due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Schedules have

On the cover Roswell’s Marquis Willis brings the ball downfield in a Hornets game last year. Willis and Roswell are set to play under a new head coach and in an updated region this year. WILL FAGAN/SPECIAL

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

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Coaches: Continued from Page 2 hoochee to its 2010 state championship.

After three straight losing seasons, Lambert will look to Tommy Watson to right the ship.

Watson has made the move from South Georgia powerhouse Lowndes where he served as a coordinator and position coach. He also brings head coaching experience. He led Upson Lee from 2008-13 compiling a 23-38 record.

West Forsyth did not have to look far for its new leader, Dave Svehla, who is coming off an 8-year stint as Etowah’s head coach.

Svehla led the Eagles to a 49-41 record during his tenure, including an 11-3 record in 2014, the only 10-plus win season for the program that dates to 1977.

Pinecrest Academy will look to new leadership as it embarks on a new type of football. With a lack of players on its roster, Pinecrest has opted to play 8-man football in the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools instead of the GHSA this season.

They will look to a familiar face in the Paladins community, Shawn Coury.

Pinecrest’s new head coach is making his return to the school this season after

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

Area football head coach tenures Coach School Seasons Jeff Arnette South Forsyth 11 Tim McFarlin Blessed Trinity 10 Craig Bennett Cambridge 9 Al Morrell Fellowship Christian 8 Mike Forrester Mount Pisgah 8 Mike Nash Dunwoody 6 Frank Hepler Forsyth Central 5 Robert Craft North Forsyth 5 Matt Helmerich Johns Creek 4 James Thompson Northview 4 Adam Clack Milton 4 Frank Barden St. Francis 3 Mike Malone Chattahoochee 2 Sean O’Sullivan Centennial First year Jason Kervin Alpharetta First year Chris Prewett Roswell First year Dave Svehla West Forsyth First year Tommy Watson Lambert First year Sean Coury Pinecrest Academy First year Mike Palmieri Denmark First year Terry Crowder King’s Ridge First year serving on the football coaching staff from 2007 to 2011. He was with the school until 2016.

Coury was an assistant at Cherokee last season after a two-year stint as head coach of Holy Spirit Prep, a Georgia Independent School Association member.

Three North Fulton programs, Cen-

tennial, Roswell and Alpharetta, have also hired new head coaches.

For the third time in four years, Centennial will have a new leader for its program. Sean O’Sullivan has been tapped to replace Shane Sams, who departed after one year, in which the Knights went 0-10, to take over as offensive coordina-

tor at Northside High School.

O’Sullivan is familiar with the Knights, having spent the last two seasons as head coach at North Atlanta, Centennial’s former region foe.

Under O’Sullivan, the Warriors went 5-5 in 2018, besting their combined win total from the previous two seasons, before compiling a 7-4 record last year to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1996.

While Roswell has a new head coach for its 71st season, it is a familiar face.

The Hornets defensive coordinator Chris Prewett has been promoted to head coach for 2020, replacing his coaching mentor Matt Kemper, now at Etowah.

Prewett has served as Roswell’s defensive coordinator for three seasons.

The Hornets allowed an average of 22 and 12 points per game respectively that last two years.

Alpharetta has welcomed Jason Kervin to serve as the program’s fourth head coach beginning this season. It is Kervin’s first post as head coach.

Kervin comes to the Raiders via Alabama juggernaut Hoover High School which racked up six state championships in his 12-year stint. He served as the offensive coordinator the past five seasons.

Kervin replaces Jacob Nichols, who is now the offensive coordinator at West Forsyth.

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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

Alpharetta enters Kervin and Class 7A era Raiders enter new region under first-year coach

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta, perhaps more than any other local team, enters a new era in 2020. There is a new head coach leading the team. The Raiders will play in a different classification and new region. Rivalry games now have region championship implications. Even their logo is new. And first-year head coach Jason Kervin believes his team is ready to usher in a new age.

“Anybody that has confidence in themselves wants those challenges,” he said. “This group wants to hang with the best teams in Georgia. We are certainly excited about the opportunity, and we have a great schedule from the season opener through region play. We are going to have to be on our A-game every Friday night, and that’s exciting.”

With the coronavirus pandemic putting a hold to spring ball, pushing back summer workouts and cancelling scrimmages, it has been far from the ideal year to face so many changes. But Kervin said, if anything, it has put a sense of urgency on building the team’s new culture and getting game-ready.

That work has included getting the team to be the fast, athletic and physical team the new coach wants, with the ability to run the ball efficiently on offense with a multiple-look defense.

The offense will have a new leader behind center, but who that will be has not been finalized. Competition is on between sophomore Ben Guthrie and junior Walker Berryman. “[Guthrie] has been playing a long time around here, and everybody knows him as a good player, so there’s no surprise he’ll be ready as a sophomore,” Kervin said. “Berryman is a good quarterback, really talented, and can do a lot of good things. They are two good guys, and we are going to let them compete.”

Whoever takes snaps will have a target in Matteo Carriere, a 6-foot-2 junior who is the younger brother of Maryland receiver and Alpharetta alum Carlos Carriere. Along with Carriere and senior Jayden Slocum, who will also start as free safety, Kervin said a number of younger players have stepped up at wideout, and the receiving core has depth and variety.

The Raiders’ rushing attack will likely be led again this year by senior Dylan Merrell.

“He has the kind of speed you can’t coach, and you give him a crease and he can take it to the house,” Kervin said. While Merrell is expected to get

HERALD FILE PHOTOS

Senior receiver/defensive back Kevin Howard and the Raiders will face an all-new slate of region opponents, including rivals Milton, this season. double-digits in number of carries each game, Kervin said, the team will focus on showcasing his defensive work as a cornerback.

“He is naturally built to be a corner with his speed and length, so we want to get him the opportunity to develop there,” he said.

Slocum has fielded a plethora of D1 offers, including Georgia Tech, Michigan, Stanford, Oregon and Notre Dame.

The Raiders offensive line has some returning sizeable seniors, including guard Vernon Ogundepo and tackles David Oxman and Jevan Parara, but Kervin said depth is an issue, so the line will need to stay healthy.

The defensive front will be led by Nathan Cole, whom Kervin called a “gamechanger.” Cole will be joined by returning defensive end John Jenness.

A question mark for the defense is its linebacker core as the team continues to “shuffle the deck,” Kervin said. Two mainstays from last season do return in Nick Haven, who was second on the team in total tackles last year and compiled five sacks, and Vito Perri, who split his time at defensive end.

While the linebacker core is a work in progress, Kervin said the secondary has the most experience and depth for the defense, with Slocum at safety, Merrell, Kevin Howard and CJ McFerrin at corner. Junior Adam Walker has also stepped up as a safety.

A significant hole to fill is on special teams with the graduation of kicker Bryce Troutt. Kervin said Matthew Ashe is leading the competition for the spot.

Alpharetta enters its new era without any easy matchups on the schedule. After taking on three-time defending Class 3A state champs Blessed Trinity, the Raiders will face North Cobb, Brookwood and Collins Hill, all of which earned playoff spots last year. Then, of course, is the new Region 5-7A, that includes several Cherokee County teams, Roswell and rivals Milton.

Kervin said if fans are allowed in the stadiums this year, they will certainly get their money’s worth.

That is one of many unknowns of 2020, as is the Raiders’ outlook for success, but Kervin said he is “cautiously optimistic” about the team’s prospects.

“At this point, the way things have gone, I’m just hopeful we get the opportunity to play and compete,” he said. “I know how much it means to the kids, the adults and the coaches. If we get the opportunity to play, we will go out and give ourselves a chance to win.”

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

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Fellowship Christian eyes another deep playoff run Paladins will return most of its starters from 2019 squad

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Over the past few seasons, Fellowship Christian has quietly become one of the top Class-A Private teams in the state.

The Paladins have won 42 games the last four seasons with three deep runs in the playoffs, including their 2016 state runner-up campaign in which they fell to ELCA in double overtime.

With nearly all starters returning from last year’s 12-1 team that reached the state semifinals, and with added experience and more depth, head coach Al Morrell said the 2020 squad has serious potential.

“I will say we have a very good football team,” Morrell said. “The last time we were this talented we played for a state title.

But you still have to show up every night and play, play up to your potential and have no injury problems. We do that, and we have a shot at making a deep run.”

The Paladins return all but two linemen to their high-output offense that scored an average of 41 points per game last season.

Opposing defenses will be burdened with trying to stop the Paladins’ option offense that features a horde of solid rushers.

Fullback Murphy Reeves will lead the charge and can put an exclamation point on what has already been an outstanding career. The senior has racked up over 3,300 yards the past two seasons, including 1,554 last year with 17 touchdowns and nine games with 100-plus yards on the ground.

Reeves will rotate with Jayven Hall, who was the Paladins’ second-leading rusher last season as a freshman. Josh Cole and Lawson Haigler will line up at wingback. Haigler is back from an injury that kept him sidelined for most of last season, while Cole racked up 708 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns. Morrell said 6-foot-3 sophomore Kyle Elphick will also rotate in at wing to keep fresh legs on the field.

Elphick, who was fourth on the team in total tackles last year with four interceptions, will also line up with Haigler as outside linebackers. Cole will start at free safety.

“All those guys run well and block for each other well,” Morrell said. “They force opponents to defend all parts of the field, and they are big, strong guys that force other teams to play physical.”

Competition will decide who lines up at quarterback. After rotating Eli Hildeb-

HERALD FILE PHOTO

Fellowship Christian are optimistic for 2020 as the team returns much of the talent that led the program to a 12-1 record last year.

randt, Joey Archer and Caleb McMickle to begin the 2019 season, Hildebrandt solidified his role as starter, throwing for 650 yards and rushing for 377 with 16 total touchdowns. He will still have to fight for that role, however.

“I’d say Hildebrandt is the front-runner,” Morrell said. “He did a good job running the ball and has improved throwing the ball, but I told them the position is open. All three are good quality guys.”

The offensive line will be led by right guard and Virginia commit Charlie Patterson. He will be joined by returning center Reid Robinson.

In addition to a high-scoring offense, the Paladins have the pieces in place for another stout defensive season after allowing just three opponents 21 points or more in 13 games last season.

Morrell said Fellowship’s defensive prowess starts with its linebacker core of Hall, Haigler, Elphick and Nathan Nardone, who was named all-state in 2019 with 67 total tackles and three sacks.

Some of the Paladins’ offensive linemen will also play in the defensive trenches and will rotate in with 6-foot-2 senior Brady Niblock, junior Cole Chapman and Joey Archer at end.

Jordan Brewer, the Paladins top receive last year, will bring in receptions on offense and play corner.

“You’ll hear all these names throughout the season, but we actually have more depth and better rotation coming into this season,” Morrell said, noting the team’s roster size is well above average this year.

The Paladins had a dominant 2019 regular season, outscoring opponents by an average of 34 points per game. It’ll be tougher sledding this year.

Fellowship is set to take on the formidable programs of Christian Heritage, Trinity Christian, B.E.S.T. Academy and North Cobb Christian, who the Paladins

beat in the first round the 2019 playoffs.

The team had originally schedule to play Fyffe High School, a four-time Alabama state champion, but that game was nixed due to COVID-19. As it stands, Fellowship only has nine games on its schedule but could host Florida’s Naples Baptist Academy on Sept. 11.

“It’s a tough schedule, especially in the front half where we are going to have to come and play hard every week,” Morrell said.

But those games could serve as a proving ground for later in the season where Fellowship will look to repeat as 6-A champs in the new-look region lineup before what could be another surge deep into the playoffs. “[The outlook] is bright, we are very optimistic, and we are very excited about this season,” Morrell said.

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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

Mount Pisgah seasoned, optimistic for 2020 Patriots face tough foes with experienced squad

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — With prospects of a full 2020 season still unknown, Mount Pisgah is hoping to play for the sake of playing, and because they are expecting a successful season.

“We’re hoping we get a season in because this could be a special year for us,” head coach Mike Forester said.

“Our senior class is really strong. We have a number of returning starters and we have also had some guys that have decided to come out and they’ve had a huge impact on the team.”

It is refreshing for the Patriots to have players with experience after their ranks were filled with youth last year.

Forester said with that experience, he expects the team to be better offensively and defensively than last year’s squad that went 3-7 overall.

While many of the names are the same for the Patriots, the offense will have an updated look. Forester said the team will run more of a true spread offense instead of the outside-run-heavy veer scheme.

“I’d call it more of a Clemson-type offense, we’ll be looking to throw the ball more,” he said. “We are really looking forward to it because it is an offense that really fits us.”

With more focus on the passing game, Coleman Smith will return as starting quarterback.

“I think he’s going to have a really good year,” Forester said.

Smith will have a go-to target in receiver Nick Speros. The senior spent time on the sidelines last year with an injury, and Forester said his absence hurt the offense with his ability to either work out of the backfield or as a wideout.

Forester expects new player Gabe Carter to also haul in catches with junior returning starter Cole Spence.

The offensive line will feature several key senior returners, including center David Bertrand and guards Nick Jackson and Matt Trujillo.

Jackson was a force on the defensive line last year and was named the Region 6-A Defensive Lineman of the Year and all-state by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association.

Brothers Happy and Joy Chane will again lead the linebacker core, with Forester expecting big years from the brothers. Garrett Sutherland adds

While many of the names are the same for the Patriots, the offense will have an updated look. senior experience to the secondary as safety along with Makael Carter, who had an impressive campaign as a freshman last season.

The Patriots’ special teams also have returning players. Senior Owen Lindsay will take over punting duties for a third year with Bertrand as a long snapper. Bertrand is rated as one of the top long snappers in the country.

“He’s key, we can do different things with the punt team and he’s on target every time,” Forester said. “He is also a good cover guy, and really the heart of our special teams.”

Mount Pisgah will rely on its experience as they forge through a challenging schedule. The Patriots are slated to take on 2019 Class A-Private state runner-up Wesleyan, Class 5A’s Chamblee and four teams that combined for 28 wins last season in non-region play. Of course, that does not include a tough slate of region games.

“The region overall is pretty strong, and region play is going to be tough,” Forester said.

The Patriots head coach said the keys for his team’s success this season are moving the ball effectively on offense and pushing the envelope on defense.

And experience can pay dividends.

“Going from five seniors last year to 15 or 16 out this year, that makes a big, big difference,” Forester said.

“And even some freshman last year got experience, so even as sophomores this year we have a lot of talented guys out there to help us. Overall, we are really excited about this year.”

Following historic season, St. Francis looks to continue establishing program

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga. — The quest to build up St. Francis football took a significant step last year with the Knights compiling a 7-5 record with the program’s second playoff berth and first playoff win.

“All along we’ve had the long-term goal to build a good program and be in the conversation,” third-year head coach Frank Barden said. “That’s going to be a process over the next few years, building, and we’re still in that process. But it was a lot of fun last year, and we had a great group of seniors.”

The loss of the senior class has left significant holes to fill on both sides of the ball. And after having a large and experienced senior class last year, the Knights will start a load of underclassmen. But, Barden said, that goes along with the cyclical nature of high school football.

“It all reflects on where a program is in the process of being built,” he said.

“Last year, we had a lot of seniors, and this year we have a really good sophomore class. It’s that cycle, and now we’ll throw out some sophomores and watch them grow.”

This offseason has presented additional challenges for fielding a relatively young team, though.

“We didn’t have spring (football), and we didn’t get our two scrimmages,” Barden said. “That’s the biggest negative out of all of this. You just want to get on the field and under the lights with a young football team.”

The Knights’ offense will feature plenty of new faces after the graduation of quarterback Josh Gil, receivers Zay Wadsworth and Jai Smith, running back Hunter Jones, lineman Troy Beasley and others.

“We have a lot to replace, but we feel good about the kids filling those spots,” Barden said.

One starter coming back is running back Gianni Dorsey. Barden said he expects a lot of production from the senior this season. Marcellus Hazelton will also share carries, and both backs will also line up on defense in as linebackers.

The lack of spring ball and scrimmages has put a strain on the quarterback position. Barden said sophomore Camden Lusk and freshman Jaiden Jenkins have both worked under center in the offseason, and the Knights could go with a two-quarterback system.

Either one will have a target in receivers Al Geiger, who started as a freshman last season, and sophomore Branden Strozier. Both will line up in the secondary on defense.

In the trenches, sophomores Mason Dailey and Elias Cloy, junior John Howley and seniors Jesse Hudgens and Emanuel Beasley will lead the offensive and defensive fronts. Barden said some will play both ways, but the team is trying to prevent playing linemen on both sides of the ball.

Barden said he was pleased with Jake Heintzleman’s junior year, and he will continue to manage kicking duties.

The Knights won’t have much time to get their new starters up to speed with the team’s schedule, which was altered after Pinecrest Academy dropped out of Region 6-A. That hole forced St. Francis to adjust its schedule to play its opening seven games before two consecutive bye weeks.

But 2020 is certainly the year of hardships, and Barden believes his team will rise to the task.

“All teams are going to have to overcome adversity because of what we are going through right now,” Barden said.

“Everybody is having to change things week to week. But for these kids to come and go to work with a great attitude, that says a lot about the kids to be a team that will overcome challenges and work one day at a time.”

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

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10 | August 27, 2020 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

With returning mix of talent, Eagles excited about season

By ZACH SHUGAN news@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga. — When you win a state championship, there’s only two options the following year. You either win another championship, or you take a step back in terms of success.

By that definition, Milton took a step back last year following the program’s first state title in 2018. The Eagles won their second-straight region title but fell to eventual state-champ Marietta in the second round of the 7A state playoffs.

For fourth-year Milton head coach Adam Clack, success isn’t as black and white, though. Clack said he thinks success is relative depending on the year, the group and the expectations. Last year’s team didn’t view the season as a disappointment, and that mindset carried over as the Eagles have prepared for the 2020.

“There’s a ton of energy and confidence in this group,” Clack said. “This senior class has been a part of a state championship and back-to-back region champs. We have a junior class that has a lot of talent and some very talented sophomores. We have a really good mix, and the guys are excited to compete.”

Junior Devin Farrell returns as starting quarterback, and 2020 will be his first full season as the starter. To start the 2019 season, Farrell split time with then-senior Jackson Weaver at quarterback, as well as spending time in practice and games on the Eagles’ defense.

He took over the starting job permanently in the second half of the season, leading a dynamic offense that averaged 35.4 points per game in region play.

“He was naturally behind, and he was also only a sophomore. Now, he’s the guy. He’s earned everyone’s respect … They definitely look at him as a leader. And overall, his command of the offense and being able to get those extra reps in practice, it’s shown tremendously already.”

At running back, Milton loses Ahmad Junearick to graduation but returns an up-and-coming college prospect in junior Jordan McDonald. Clack considers McDonald underrated in the eyes of college recruits, even with the 6-foot-1, 215-pound junior already holding scholarship offers from the likes of Florida State, South Carolina and Tennessee.

“I think Jordan McDonald is one of the best kept secrets in the state,” Clack said. “He’s a big back but one with great explosiveness.”

Clack said sophomores Jared Stephens and Scott Moskowitz are next in line as ball carriers, as well as the quarterback, who proved himself a worthy option last season.

HERALD FILE PHOTO

Milton quarterback Devin Farrell hurdles an Alpharetta defender in last year’s game between the teams. Farrell compiled over 1,000 yards passing and 800 yards rushing last season and returns this year to lead the Eagles offense.

“When you have a quarterback like Devin who can hurt you with his legs, too, that just adds an element to your backfield,” Clack said.

The Eagles feature junior tight end Jack Nickel, one of the top tight ends in the country. The 6-foot-4 part-time receiver and part-time blocker committed to Notre Dame in July, and he also holds college offers from over 25 other Division I programs.

Senior receiver Matthew Evert will be another strong target for Farrell, Clack said. He described Evert as a bigger receiver who can play tight end, slot receiver or wide receiver. Clack also said junior receiver Brooks Bortle, who moved after two years at Woodstock, has proven to be a dynamic player so far in practices.

Senior Cameron Dye returns to lead the offensive line. The left tackle earned recognition from RecruitGeorgia as preseason first-team All-State in Class 7A. The Eagles’ defense returns a healthy mix of players.

On the defensive line, Milton features a veteran with state championship experience and a sophomore who should have college offers from just about every school in the country by the time he’s a senior.

Senior Zack Tumminia returns to anchor the inside of the Eagles defensive line.

Sophomore L.T. Overton will play defensive end after playing his freshman season in Alabama. Overton moved to Milton right after the 2019 football season, arriving just in time to suit up for the Eagles basketball team that made it to the Final Four.

While he was a force on the hardwood, it’s his play on the football field that as turned heads and earned him the title of No. 1 overall player in the country in the Class of 2022, according to 247Sports, which released preliminary rankings for the Class of 2022 on Aug. 19. Overton was at the top of the list. The next day, Overton announced via Twitter he had just received scholarship offers from Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Tennessee after already receiving offers from Georgia and South Carolina his freshman season.

“He has really turned everybody’s heads to match the hype,” Clack said.

“He’s just been darn near unblockable.”

Two veterans will fill out the defensive line in seniors Connor Gay and Dayne Edwards. Clack said Gay might pull double duty on the offensive and

defensive lines, and Edwards is another player who has played various positions.

At linebacker, Clack said the Eagles have a solid group of upperclassmen competing for the starting spots. Senior Mason Bicknell and juniors A.J. Crawford, Dylan Miller and Owen Pauley should all receive playing time in 2020 at inside and outside linebacker.

In the secondary, sophomore Bryce Thornton returns to lead the cornerback group. Clack said Thornton was the Eagles’ top cornerback as a freshman in 2019, and he will be No. 1 at the position again in 2020. Junior Cam Cainion has stepped up as the No. 2 cornerback for the Eagles.

Senior Garrett Smalley, whom Clack described as “just a really solid football player,” returns as another key player for the Eagles’ secondary.

Jason Aussin returns at kicker in his senior year after providing a steady foot on field goals and point-after attempts in 2019.

The 2020 season will be Milton’s first in the new-look Region 5-AAAAAAA. Instead of playing Forsyth County schools in region play, the Eagles will take on longtime rivals Alpharetta and Roswell along with Cherokee County schools Etowah, Woodstock and Cherokee.

“The Cherokee County schools always play a good brand of football, and you know anytime you line up with your rivals anything can happen,” Clack said.

The pandemic hasn’t been easy on high school athletes, but Clack commended his players for their efforts in staying focused and making smart decisions.

“From the beginning, I’m just so very proud of their ability to stay locked in,” Clack said. “I know there’s a lot of questions constantly circulating, but when they’re with us it’s been one message. We’re here working today, and we’re going to put the best plan in place we know. Whether it’s virtual meetings during quarantine or having leadership meetings through GroupMe and Microsoft Teams, these guys have been all in trying to make the most of each opportunity we have.”

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 27, 2020 | 11

Roswell enters season with new talent, new head coach Hornets will replace nine defensive starters under first-year coach

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell will sport a refreshed look this year with a new head coach, a new region and plenty of new starters.

Head coach Chris Prewett, who was promoted from defensive coordinator this spring, said the lack of game situations like spring ball or scrimmages has been a challenge with his mostly inexperienced group, but he is generally pleased with his team heading into the new year.

“First and foremost, we are going to be a physical team on both sides of the ball,” Prewett said. “The offensive line has played very well, the receivers have done a good job of picking up the new offense, and the quarterbacks are working through it. Defensively, we replace nine starters and have a lot of kids who haven’t played a lot. But the good part of that is it opens opportunities for guys who have been putting the time and work in, and they are responding in the way we are looking for.”

Prewett said this Hornets’ offense will still focus on the rushing attack, but tweaks have been made from last year that will open the run game in different ways. The composition of the backfield is still a question mark.

Several quarterbacks are fighting for the starting role, and the Hornets will use multiple tailbacks, a carryover from last year but with mostly new rushers.

“We have gotten good looks from every one of [the quarterbacks],” Prewett said. One positive is they all have things they do well that they bring to the table.”

At tailback, Prewett said the Hornets will spread the wealth.

“We have a couple of young kids who haven’t had a lot of playing time, but they are going to be a good group,” he said.

There are returning starters at receiver and on the offensive line.

Marquis Willis returns for his senior campaign after compiling 376 yard receiving, second on the team, with three touchdowns last year. Fellow senior Michael Fitzgerald will be another target.

“Marquis is one of the best athletes on the field, and he leads that [receivers] group,” Prewett said. “He usually makes a highlight play every day and he’s a consistent guy. Fitzgerald played basketball most of his life, but he’s transitioned to outside receiver and really improved.

I’m excited to see him get better.”

Prewett said this year’s squad should be one the Roswell community is delighted to watch.

HERALD FILE PHOTO

Roswell’s Elijah Wilkerson tried to avoid a tackle during the Hornets game against Centennial last year. Roswell is set to play under a new head coach and in an updated region this year.

The offensive line returns both tackles in Corey Robinson and Anietie Ntekop.

“Both of those guys are really tough, hard workers and they push that group,” Prewett said.

Trey Roth and Trey Lednik will also play in the offensive trenches after earning some playing time last year. The line will be formidable at well over 6-feet tall and around 250 pounds on average.

Defensively, only a few familiar faces return. Senior Evan Plunkett has moved to linebacker following the graduation to standout Doneiko Slaughter, now at Tennessee.

“He’s been a game-changer for us,” Prewett said.

Joining Plunkett at linebacker is senior Harrison Duncan. Dillon Holif-

ield returns as a starting safety.

“We will always do things a bit differently with different personnel, but we will stick to doing what we do best and that is creating havoc for the offensive side,” Prewett said. “We will be multiple, play different coverages, disguise things well and hopefully uphold the standard the defense has set for us the last two seasons.”

Last year, the Hornets allowed just 12 points per game.

There are too many unknowns to gauge the outlook for the Hornets, but Prewett said this year’s squad should be one the Roswell community is delighted to watch.

“Every team creates its own legacy, and our senior class will write the legacy for this team, and we want it to be one they are proud of,” he said. “As long as we keep our heads down and continue working, we’ll be in a good place at the end of the year.”

* denotes region game

2020 Y BLES S E D TRINIT IAL CENT ENN RK DENM A

Roswell @ Peachtree Ridge Riverwood* @ Chattahoochee* Cambridge* @ River Ridge* Johns Creek* Creekview* @ Sequoyah*

9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/30 11/6 11/13 11/20

9/17 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/30

9/04 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/23 10/30 11/6

@ Milton (Freedom Bowl) Sequoyah* @ Riverwood* Chattahoochee* @ Cambridge*

Christian Heritage Trinity Christian @ B.E.S.T Academy @ North Cobb Christian @ St. Francis Lakeview Academy @ Clarkston @ King’s Ridge Mount Pisgah

9/3 @ Greater Atlanta Christian (Corky Kell Classic) 9/11 @ Allatoona 9/17 Shiloh 9/25 Lanier 10/2 @ North Forsyth* 10/16 Forsyth Central* 10/23 @ Lambert* 11/6 South Forsyth* 11/13 Gainesville* 11/20 @ West Forsyth*

@ Forsyth Central @ Marist St. Pius X Charlotte Catholic (NC) Eagle’s Landing Christian Woodland, Cartersville* @ Calhoun* @ Cartersville* Hiram* Cass*

9/4 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/16 10/23 10/30 11/6 11/13

F OO TBA L L SCHEDUL E S

FO

SHIP FELLO W K CREE

R E T TA ALPH A RIDGE CAMB CHEE CHATT AHOO Y DUNW OOD AL RS Y T H CENTR

RIDGE

9/11 9/18 9/25 10/9 10/16

Greene County Christian Heritage Landmark Christian @ Darlington @ Mt. Paran Christian

Blessed Trinity Etowah @ Loganville Cambridge Gainesville* @ Denmark* North Forsyth* West Forsyth* @ Lambert* @ South Forsyth*

Norcross* @ Archer* Chamblee Meadowcreek* @ Berkmar* Discovery* @ Duluth*

10/2 10/9 10/16 10/30 11/6 11/13 11/20

9/4 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/16 10/23 10/30 11/6 11/20

Northview River Ridge* Centennial* @ Johns Creek* Sequoyah* @ Creekview* Cambridge* @ Riverwood*

Forsyth Central Creekview* Langston Hughes @ Centennial* @ Sequoyah* Johns Creek* Riverwood* @ Chattahoochee* @ River Ridge*

9/25 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/23 10/30 11/6 11/13 11/20

9/18 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/30 11/6 11/13 11/20

North Cobb Chattahhochee Collins Hill @ Harrison Milton* @ Woodstock* Cherokee* @ Roswell* @Etowah*

9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/23 11/6 11/13 11/20

12 | August 27, 2020 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

JOHN ERT LAMB H MOU N T P ISGA IEW NORT HV LL

Wesleyan Mt. Paran Christian Walker @ Hebron Christian Academy @ Christian Heritage Chamblee @ Lakeview Academy* @ Fellowship Christian* King’s Ridge* @ St. Francis*

@ Chattahoochee Dawson County Grady @ St. Pius X* @ Stone Mountain* Lithonia* @ Decatur* M. L. King* Southwest DeKalb*

Centennial @ North Paulding @ Campbell Walton @ Etowah* Cherokee* @ Milton* Alpharetta* Woodstock*

@ North Cobb Christian Athens Christian @ Darlington @ Whitefield Academy Lumpkin County Fellowship Christian* @ Walker* King’s Ridge* @ Lakeview Academy* Mount Pisgah*

9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/23 10/30 11/6 11/13 11/20

9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/23 11/6 11/13 11/20

9/4 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/16 11/6 11/13 11/20

Lassiter Meadowcreek @ Duluth @ South Forsyth* @ Gainesville* Denmark* @ North Forsyth* Forsyth Central* West Forsyth*

9/4 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/9 10/23 10/30 11/6 11/13 11/20

9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/16 10/23 10/30 11/6 11/13

11/6 @ Centennial* 11/13 River Ridge* 11/20 @ Creekview*

N S

ROSW E CIS ST. F RAN

KING’ N M I LT O TH O R T H FORSY ST PINEC RE TH O U T H FORSY YTH

Harrison @ Hapeville (Freedom Bowl) @ Etowah Denmark* @ West Forsyth* @ Forsyth Central* Lambert* South Forsyth* @ Gainesville*

Harvester Christian Hearts Academy @ Johnsons Ferry Christian @Peachtree Academy Monsignor Donovan Lanier Christian Dominion Christian Horizon Christian Fidelis Christian @ Unity Christian

@ Dawson County Central Gwinnett Lambert @ West Forsyth Gainesville @ Denmark @ North Forsyth Forsyth Central

9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/16 10/23 10/30 11/13 11/20

8/28 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/23 10/30 11/6

9/18 9/25 10/2 10/23 10/30 11/6 11/13 11/20

@ Greater Atlanta Christian @ Cartersville Walton @ Mill Creek North Forsyth* South Forsyth* @ Forsyth Central* @ Gainesville* @ Lambert* Denmark*

North Cobb Johns Creek (Freedom Bowl) Hapeville McEachern @ Alpharetta* Etowah* Roswell* @ Woodstock* @ Cherokee*

9/11 9/17 9/25 10/9 10/16 10/23 11/6 11/13 11/20

9/5 9/11 9/25 10/2 10/16 10/23 10/30 11/6 11/13 11/20

@ Lakeview Academy* Fellowship Christian* @ St. Francis* @ Mount Pisgah*

10/23 10/30 11/6 11/13

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

W E S T FORS

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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

King’s Ridge optimistic under new head coach Crowder takes helm with air of optimism

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga. — Optimism is surrounding the King’s Ridge program as the Terry Crowder era begins this season. The state-championship-winning coach brings a bevy of experience to the program still seeking its first winning season, and the excitement for the prospect of success among the Tigers is palpable.

“I’m very pleased with how the kids responded and the commitment they’ve made to the program,” Crowder said.

“We are pushing them, and they are liking it. It is encouraging for me to know we are getting off on the right foot.”

Crowder has compiled more than 100 wins as a head coach at Chattahoochee, Creekview and Denmark. He led Chattahoochee to its 2010 state championship and two region crowns.

Joining Crowder are two other new coaches, Rodney Satterfield and

Clint Boling. Boling, who played under Crowder at Chattahoochee, retired last year after an 8-year stint in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals where he started in 114 games. Boling is serving as the Tigers’ offensive line coach.

Satterfield served as offensive coordinator under Crowder at Creekview and Chattahoochee and adds his trove of experience to the King’s Ridge coaching staff.

Though the Tigers have won just 10 games over the last six seasons, Crowder has high ambitions for the program.

“I expect us to win games,” he said. “I expect us to make the playoffs and chal-

lenge for region championships.”

King’s Ridge will seek success this season with a new-look offense, the Wing-T, with a new quarterback leading the charge.

Senior Clay Harrell will line up behind center this season, his first time as a quarterback.

“He’s a really good athlete,” Crowder said. “He’s a smart football player, and he fits our offense well.”

The rushing attack will be led by Harrell and a trio of tailbacks, including juniors Zach Pitts and Ian Joseph and sophomore Fisher Edwards. Joseph brings size and power to the Tigers’ running game, Crowder said, while Edwards and Pitts are fast with quick-cut abilities.

Leading the offensive line will be 6-foot-5, 275-lb. senior guard Noah Smith, who Crowder thinks is a future collegiate player.

“The offensive line has been the biggest surprise in the offseason, they are looking very good,” Crowder said. “The angle blocking we are doing benefits them, and while they are smaller, they can run.”

The Tigers’ defense will run out of 3-3-5 this year, anchored by middle line-

With a newfound hope, the Tigers will look to enjoy success long overdue with their new head coach at the helm. backer Dean Giacobbe.

Junior Logan Hewlett will be tasked with kicking duties, and Crowder said he has a strong leg.

It won’t be easy sledding for the Tigers in reaching the playoffs and competing for a region title. Their schedule includes several strong programs that were former region rivals, including Christian Heritage and Mount Paran Christian.

With a newfound hope, the Tigers will look to enjoy success long overdue with their new head coach at the helm.

“There is excitement,” Crowder said.

“You can sense the optimism. We are all very hopeful.”

Cambridge returning starters fuel team’s optimism

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga. — Cambridge head coach Craig Bennett, in his ninth season leading the Bears, says there is no substitute for experience, and his 2020 squad has it.

“There’s only one way to get [experience], and we have a lot of guys with games under their belt,” Bennett said.

“They are almost calm and cool. They know how we practice, our expectations and our preparation. They are a mature group, and we are excited about that.”

The Bears’ offense returns eight starters from last year but will sport a bit of a different look. Bennet said the team has been working on simplifying its offense and establishing the run game to work clock.

Running the updated offensive is returning quarterback Zach Harris who enters his junior season with over a dozen starts to his credit.

“He started six games as a freshman, and you don’t ever want to do that, but he brings a calmness and a coolness, even as a freshman he didn’t get rattled,” Bennett said. “He has 16 games under his belt as a junior, and a lot of times you have a junior starting quarterback who has none.”

Harris’ go-to target from 2019

also returns in senior Hayden Gardella.

While Gardella will likely be the main receiver, Bennett said several other wideouts return, and they do not want to be an offense that only targets one player.

The Cambridge head coach is looking for a “big season” out of Philip-Michael Collins who led the Bears rushing attack last season and has bulked up in the offseason.

Paving the way for Collins will be several returning offensive lineman. Senior guard Jackson Morley will anchor the line along with junior Matthew Dubois and Cameron Phillips who saw playing time as a freshman last year.

One area in which the Bears are a bit more green is at linebacker following the graduation of Mike Hudson and TJ Mowery.

Senior Luke Ritter will lead the linebacker core from the middle. He will be joined by juniors Will Petit and Bennett Long who both played at the edges last year and should also see some playing time at middle linebacker.

Bennett said he is optimistic about his seasoned defensive secondary that includes cornerback Ryan Counts and safeties Luke Kramer and Graham Browning, all seniors.

With a three-year absence from the postseason, Bennett said he hopes the Bears’ experience can lead them back into the playoffs.

“Our goal is to make the playoffs, no matter what seed we get and earn.

We know once you get in, it’s anybody’s game. Hopefully we will have some things on our side and some to make a run and hopefully win a playoff game as well.”

With their eyes on a playoff spot, the Bears will need to reverse their fortunes in close region games this year. Cambridge dropped three region contests by a combined seven points in 2019. And though the region has been updated, earning one of the four seeds to the playoffs will be a tough trek.

“You can’t take a week off,” Bennett said. “We’ve played Creekview every year since we’ve been open, and they’ve gotten

TERRY BOUDREAU/SPECIAL

Cambridge running back Phillip Michael-Collins takes a handoff from Zach Harris during the Bears 2019 game against Northview.

the better of us every year. They bring a physicality as well as Sequoyah and River Ridge. We will have to buckle down.”

With strong leadership and experience, the bar has been set high for the Bears in 2020.

“My expectation for the team is very high,” Bennett said.

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

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After three state titles, Blessed Trinity enters new venture Titans’ move up in classification, means new foes

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Blessed Trinity had an incredible run during its time in Class 4A. The Titans racked up 53 wins in just four years with three region championships and three straight state championships from 2017-19. But the incredible ride, at least in the classification, is over, and BT now enters a new landscape in a new region and Class 5A. BT will now suit up against the likes of Cass, Woodland (Cartersville), Hiram, Calhoun and Cartersville, the latter two having won a combined eight state titles.

Tim McFarlin, entering his 10th year as the Titans head coach, is looking forward to the new region matchups.

“I am so impressed with all those teams,” he said. “It’s going to be some great football.”

No matter the region, BT has had a target on its back for the better part of the decade, and it has only grown after the Titans captured three state championships. But McFarlin said he does not see the pressure to make it four in a row.

“I haven’t felt it or detected it from the guys,” he said. “We were very aware that last year [our championship] wasn’t a product of us winning it the two years before, it was a product of hard work and winning close games. We’re very thankful, but it’s not something we think about until the playoffs.

We are going to just keep doing what we’ve been doing. We have a great coaching staff, and I’m the benefactor in that I get to watch great football.”

That’s not to say that BT doesn’t have great potential again this year.

“I really love this team,” McFarlin said. “They are a really

HERALD FILE PHOTOS

good group of young men who have a great work ethic, and I think we have a pretty good football team.”

The graduation of last year’s seniors left significant holes to plug on both sides of the ball, particularly on the line.

Standouts like center Jackson Filipowicz, who started 45 straight games with three state titles and is now at West Point, are gone, but McFarlin said younger players are stepping up to fill those roles.

Junior Jack Pirinelli has settled in at center with 6-foot-4, 275-pount sophomore Skye Richardson at left tackle, senior Landen Byars moving back to guard with Johnny Ryan at right guard.

They will join right tackle and Virginia commit Ty Furnish who is coming off what McFarlin called a “fantastic” year.

Those players will pave the way for Justice Haynes who had a remarkable freshman season in 2019 while sharing carries with North Carolina Tar Heel Elijah Green. Haynes had 1,754 yards, averaging 8.6 yards per carry, with 18 touchdowns.

“It’s a challenge for Justice to work every day to get better because some kids level off when they start out so well, but I haven’t seen that from him,” McFarlin said.

Haynes will share carries with Englan Williams, who McFarlin said could have a breakout year.

In 2019, Duncan Reavis stepped

into a quarterback role after an injury to BT’s starter. The senior will be back to his natural positions, wide receiver and safety, this season while a new addition to BT’s roster, JC French, takes snaps.

French, a Wesleyan transfer who threw for 2,900 yards with 32 touchdowns last season, has received offers from several schools, including Wake Forest.

“He’s done a great job acclimating with the players, he’s a good person and works hard,” McFarlin said. “He’s won those guys over. And I’m really impressed how fast he has picked up our offense.”

French will have plenty of receivers.

“I think we are deeper at receiver than we’ve ever been,” McFarlin said.

“Having that many receivers will allow us to open up the offense a bit more than in the past.”

Senior Carson Harof, BT’s top receiver last year, returns along with Revis and junior David Coltrane. Senior Michael Mitchler returns as a sizable tar-

get, with Jackson Hamilton and Danny Muir also lining up at tight end.

Many of the Titans’ offensive starters will also line up on defense, including Hamilton, an inside linebacker committed to Louisville. Fellow linebacker Ryan Dupont led the team in tackles (115) last year with three sacks and will also play fullback. Harof will be in the secondary with Matt McCaffrey, junior Zach Bolden, Nolan Tully and Jordan McCants.

Mavrick Torrico will join the linebacker core in a starting role after getting playing time as a freshman last season.

“He’s put on height and weight and is really a solid linebacker,” McFarlin said.

BT will have a new kicker, and it is a player with a name familiar to BT fans.

Sophomore Bryson Hosea, the brother of 2017 grad and Army punter Brooks Hosea, will handle kicking duties.

The fate and look of the 2020 season is still up in the air, and the Titans are hoping they get the chance to hit the field to experience their new class and region.

“I think this year’s team is hopeful and appreciative of anything they get to do,” McFarlin said. “What we’ve been through has reshaped the way we think and created caution, sometimes over-caution and sometimes maybe not enough, but the guys look at the game differently now and they are appreciative. If they get the chance to play, they are going to play hard and give everything they’ve got.”

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

Gladiators reload with sights set on another playoff run Team mantra of ‘finish’ hovers over 2020 team

By ZACH SHUGAN news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Coming off a season in which it made history multiple times, Johns Creek head coach Matt Helmerich can’t help feeling a bit disappointed.

The Gladiators had Valdosta on the ropes in the Sweet 16 of last year’s playoffs, but they were unable to advance to the Class 6A quarterfinals. The feelings of elation from finishing undefeated in region play and winning the first playoff game in program history were quickly washed away, as the Gladiators season came screeching to a halt against the national powerhouse Wildcats.

“I’ve coached state championships and coached some big games, but I’ve never felt anything like that in the stadium that night,” Helmerich said. “That was a really cool thing to be a part of. Obviously, we came out on the wrong end of it, and it’s bugged me to the core about some things we could have done different.”

Helmerich preached “finishing” to his team throughout the offseason and preseason in an effort to take the next step as a program.

“We’ve talked about it since the winter, just being able to take that next step and finish,” Helmerich said. “We were winning that game, and we didn’t finish.”

The Gladiators will have a different look on the field this year, as many key players from last year’s team have moved on to college.

Not only will the Gladiators be without 3,000-yard passer Ben Whitlock at quarterback, who now plays at West Georgia, but they lost nearly their entire receiving corps to graduation. In addition to Whitlock and running back Will Watson graduating, the top seven receivers for Johns Creek all graduated, including several three- or four-year starters.

“We had a really good team and we had some seniors on that team who were three-year starters and had been with the Johns Creek program for life,” Helmerich said. “Those are Johns Creek kids through and through. It’s a really tough group to replace.”

Taking over at quarterback will be senior Quinn Teeples, a veteran of the program who nearly won the starting job last year, Helmerich said.

“Quinn gave Ben a run for his money last summer,” Helmerich said. “That decision was not made in June. It was made in mid-August that we chose Ben as our starter for our first game, and he

HERALD FILE PHOTO

had a great season throwing for over 3,000 yards. Quinn [Teeples] is more than capable of running the offense…

He’s an athletic kid, and we fully expect him to lead the team this year.”

Helmerich and the Gladiators have been forced to think creatively finding targets for Teeples to throw to.

Defensive players, such as seniors John Stegenga and Jack Yensel, have received practice reps at receiver, along with senior defensive lineman Cole Nelson. Helmerich said 6-foot-3 junior Rowan Darnell was the surprise of the summer with his athleticism and ability to “go up and get the ball.”

Luckily for Johns Creek, any woes finding their groove in the passing game will be eased by a big offensive line and what Helmerich described as a “twoheaded monster” of running backs. The Gladiators return senior running backs Tank Pritchett, a Colgate University commit, and Dylan Parr, a player who was ineligible a season ago.

Helmerich said the Gladiators will run the ball more often and better than they have in the past thanks to their rushing duo in the backfield and a monster of an offensive line.

The Gladiators’ offensive line features 6-foot-5, 285-pound junior Tyler Gibson, who already holds college offers from LSU, Oregon and Florida State. Senior David Alexander, who has started for the Gladiators since his sophomore year, also returns on the line, and senior Andrew Song will likely start at center after helping out on the line season ago.

“As good as our offense was last year, we had two guys on our offensive line who were under 175 pounds,” Helmerich said. “This year, we’re closer to averaging 230-240 pounds, easily.”

Helmerich said the strength of the defense will be its front seven.

A large part of Helmerich’s confidence comes from senior defensive end Cole Nelson, a Virginia Tech commit.

Nelson is widely regarded as one of the top defensive linemen in the state.

Alongside Nelson will be David Alexander and Charlie Leon, two big-bodied veterans of the program.

At safety, Helmerich offered high praise for senior John Stegenga, the defensive MVP of last year’s team. Stegenga earned MVP honors as a junior while playing for a defense featuring several players who went on to play college football.

Helmerich also highlighted Justin Hunter and Tremonte Barnett who will

hold down the linebacker positions. He also praised specialists, like long snapper Kurtis Robinson who is ranked a five-star prospect by Kohl’s professional camps. At punter and kicker, senior Josh Huiet returns. Helmerich said he’s never seen a specialist work as hard in the weight room as Huiet.

“I truly believe we have the best set of specialists in the state,” Helmerich said.

“Those two are big weapons that not a lot of people talk about.”

The Gladiators will also be playing new teams in Region 7-AAAAAA due to the region and class realignments made by the GHSA following the 2019-20 season.

“I think we’ve developed a good rivalry with Centennial and Cambridge, and Hooch is always going to be a big rival for us,” Helmerich said. “The only rival we really lost was Northview. It will be nice to play some new teams.”

The Gladiators went 16-0 the last two years in Reg. 7-6A, and they have a chance to extend their winning streak in region play and win a third straight region title in 2020. Ultimately, though, Johns Creeks’ sights are set on taking the next step as a program.

“I think these kids can taste it,” Helmerich said. “They were so close last year, and I think they want to build off that. They’re not relishing in last year’s success. They know what takes to get to that next level. You have to be able to finish. This group is ready to take that next step.”

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 27, 2020 | 19

Champions believe in the impossible.

This may not be the season we expected, but these types of seasons make champions and we will be there to support every moment.

Whether watching from the stands or streaming at home we will be there cheering for every yard gained, every pass caught, and every touchdown made. To all Johns Creek area high schools, here’s to an exceptional 2020 football season!

You are all champions.

City of Johns Creek - 11360 Lakefield Drive - JohnsCreekGA.gov - 678.512.3200

20 | August 27, 2020 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

Pinecrest Academy enters new venture in 8-man football Low roster numbers spur move to 8-man

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — Every high school football team in the state has experienced an unprecedented offseason, but Pinecrest Academy’s has been even more unique as the program prepares to play a different kind of football.

With just 18 players suiting up for the Paladins this year, the program has opted to play 8-man football this season. With the change comes a new organization. The Paladins have dropped out of the GHSA and joined the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools.

They will do so under the direction of new head coach Shawn Coury, a member of the Paladins’ coaching staff from 2007 to 2011 who was with the school until 2016.

Despite fewer players, games will still be contested on 100-yard fields.

Coury said other than having fewer players in offensive, defensive and special teams schemes, and the requirement of just five offensive players on the line of scrimmage at the snap, not much has changed.

“You have two less linemen, but your backfield and passing game are all still very similar,” he said.

“There are a few minor adjustments on defense because you may have one less player in the secondary or on the line depending on what look you’re in.”

Coury said his players are transitioning well.

“They are doing great and having a blast,” he said. “They are working

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hard, have a great attitude and seem to be having a lot of fun.”

The Paladins will continue with the spread option offense this season with returning quarterback Breckin Barbee leading the way. The junior has improved reading the defense and is “making good decisions” on pass reads, Coury said.

Breckin will be joined in the backfield by his brother, Brock, and senior Alex Jeffords who will share carries.

Coury is confident in his receiving core.

“We have at least four really good receivers,” he said. “We have Oscar Lynch, who is one of our best basketball players and is 6-foot-5 with great hands. Ryan Bartling is a big kid for slot receiver, and Colin Brown has a lot of speed, really puts forth a great effort and is another kid with good hands.”

With a limited roster, it’s no surprise that many of those players will also line up on defense.

Bartling will line up as a defensive end with John Stubbs and Nick Bohn also on the defensive front. Stubbs and Bohn will also play both ways and line up in the offensive trenches.

Coury said Jeffords will lead the linebacker core with “a great nose for the ball.”

With a new league comes new opponents, and Coury said the team will focus on film study to be prepared heading into games.

The 2020 season will mark a new venture for Pinecrest football, but it is a change the program has welcomed.

“They are having so much fun right now, they seem to really love each other, and they are very easy to coach and don’t need external motivation from [coaches],” Coury said.

“This team has a lot of life in them.

The outlook for the season is just to have a bunch of guys put in hard work and compete.”

Centennial looks to rebound from winless season under new direction

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — After an 0-10 season, the only way to go is up for Centennial, and they will look to right the ship with a new leader at the helm, former North Atlanta head coach Sean O’Sullivan.

The Knights’ new head coach said the team had a strong offseason, and he is particularly excited about the senior class.

The Class of 2021 includes standout receivers in Drake Mason and Tennessee commit Julian Nixon. There is also 6-foot-4, 228-pound offensive/defensive lineman Peyton Major, fellow O-lineman Sebastian Orozco, returning defensive tackle Jordan Marks, cornerback Jaden Lewis and defensive ends Evan Walker and Jordan Gates.

“Any time you get kids back, it is going to make a difference, and I am extremely excited about this senior class,” O’Sullivan said.

While his seniors know their responsibilities, there are battles still underway for some starting roles, including at quarterback to lead Centennial’s balanced offense.

Zaire Goff stepped into the starting role last season as a freshman and threw for over 1,300 yards with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. But the job isn’t necessarily his this year.

O’Sullivan said a host of potential quarterbacks have been competing in the offseason, including Goff, junior Jett Miller, sophomore Barrett Wooden and freshman Tyler Laskaris.

Whoever is delivering the ball will have a strong receiving core to haul in catches. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Nixon provides size and speed and has been a mainstay on the Knights’ offense since his freshman season. Mason provides another tall target with swiftness.

Though primarily a cornerback who compiled several interceptions last year, Lewis should also haul in catches.

“I feel great about our receivers,” O’Sullivan said.

Freshman Nathan Webster leads a group of tailbacks that are all fighting for carries and will run behind an offensive line that returns several starters.

In addition to Major and Orozco, junior center Jake Wilbanks retains his starting role. New to the Centennial trenches is 6-foot-5, 330-pound tackle Daniel Calhoun, who has already been courted

by Georgia and Tennessee despite being a freshman.

Major, Walker, Gates and Marks will lead the defensive front.

“All of those guys are seniors, and we are looking for all of those guys to make an impact and stop the run,” O’Sullivan

Drake Mason

HERALD FILE PHOTO

said. “And we’re excited because we have Johnsley Barbas along with Desmond Leverett and Jayden Lewis at corner who should make an impact for us.”

While the Knights look to bounce back from a winless season, O’Sullivan said the team’s 2019 record isn’t on his mind.

“We are just talking about competing every day,” he said. “And if we do that, things will be very good for us.”

Centennial’s non-region games will serve as a measuring stick for the team, but the group has its eyes set on Region 7-6A play.

“The non-region games don’t matter for the playoffs, and the playoffs are going to be our goal every year,” O’Sullivan said. “It’s going to be a competitive region. Johns Creek has won the championship the last two years, and they’re always going to be good, Cambridge returns a lot of starters, Riverwood went 11-1 last year and I think coach [Mike] Malone is doing a good job at Chattahoochee. Then you add Sequoyah, Creekview and River Ridge, it’s going to be an extremely competitive league.”

With a new head coach, a large dose of talent and the prospect of returning the Knights to their winning ways, there are plenty of potential storylines for Centennial’s season. But the team will approach the year in a simple manner.

“We’re going to just be a physical, relentless group,” O’Sullivan said.

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 27, 2020 | 21

Titans enter rebuild year after historic 2019 Northview schedule includes host of new region opponents

By ZACH SHUGAN news@appenmediagroup.com The Northview Titans played at a historically high level in 2019, earning their first playoff birth in program history and finishing with their best record ever.

Northview went 6-4 last year, finishing fourth in the gauntlet that is Region 7-AAAAAA. The Titans matched up with Mays in the first round of the state playoffs, losing to the Atlanta high school, 39-7.

Northview enters this season without many key players from that historic Titans group.

The Titans will be without quarterback Beau Lark, who amassed over 2,400 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air, along with 500 rushing yards.

They will also be without the entire offensive line that blocked for Lark and several key defensive players.

“I would say this is a rebuild year,” head coach James Thomson said. “We lost our entire offensive line and we lost

our quarterback. On the defensive side, we lost our linebackers.”

Thomson said senior Caden Dickey will take over at quarterback for the Titans. Dickey’s play style resembles Lark’s, so he should fit right in with the Titans’ offense.

“To be honest, he’s a lot like Beau,” Thomson said. “I’m really excited. He’s developed a ton this past offseason.”

Two of Dickey’s top targets will be senior wide receiver Nik Oliver and junior tight end Patrick Hester. Oliver is listed at 6-foot-2, and Hester stands 6-foot-6.

At running back, the Titans return junior Marcus Godbey, who Thomson expects to tote the rock at a high rate this season.

On defense, Thomson said two seniors have stepped up as leaders: linebacker Jack Fletcher and safety Josh Wehner.

With all the attrition from last year’s team, Thomson doesn’t expect an easy road ahead. Then again, he said he felt the same before the 2019 season.

“We’re a family,” Thomson said. “Last year, we had 38 kids in our entire program. They managed to go 6-4 and make the playoffs.”

One thing the Titans have going for them as they begin their rebuild is a new classification and new region.

When the GHSA announced realignments, the Titans were moved down a classification to AAAAA and placed in Region 5-AAAAA. Their nine new region opponents are Chamblee, Clarkston, Cross Keys, Decatur, Lithonia, M.L. King, Southwest DeKalb, St. Pius X and Stone Mountain.

This means no more yearly games against local opponents such as Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Centennial, Chattahoochee and Cambridge. It’s a change that disappoints Thomson and the team, but one they feel is necessary.

“Moving down to 5A is more appropriate for us,” Thomson said. “Obviously, we’ll miss those rivalries we had. I really

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A Northview defender makes a tackle during the Titans’ matchup with Johns Creek last year. Northview enters the 2020 season after earning the program’s first playoff berth last year but replaces much of the talent that led to the team’s historic run.

enjoyed playing the North Fulton teams, and I know a lot of the coaches around here. But to be honest, even 5A is a stretch for Northview. I think we’re in a class more fitting to us now, and I’m excited about the new region.”

Cougars loaded with experience and ready for next step

By ZACH SHUGAN news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. —Chattahoochee head coach Mike Malone is hoping and praying for a football season in 2020.

The second-year head coach feels this season, if it happens, could be a special one for the Cougars.

“If we have a season this year, it’s going to be really special to see what year 2 looks like,” Malone said.

The Cougars return several key playmakers on both sides of the ball, and Malone hired two new coordinators to give the offense and defense new looks.

Brandon Harton, former University of Georgia running back from 2010-2013, takes over as the new offensive coordinator for Chattahoochee, and Harton will have plenty of weapons to choose from while dialing up plays.

The Cougars return senior playmakers such as quarterback Jaylen Smith, wide receivers Jordan Palmer and Jahmal Smith and running back Tyran McCoy. Smith, a left-handed dual-threat quarterback, put up big numbers last season through the air and on the ground. He can pass and run the ball at a high level, and he’s a nightmare for

defenders to bring down in the backfield.

“We’re expecting a lot of great things from him,” Malone said. “He’s matured a lot over the summer. It’s just been such a blessing to watch him grow as a young man and emerge as a leader on and off the field.”

Palmer returns for his senior year after a breakout junior season with over 1,000 receiving yards. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver has picked up 24 college offers since February and tweeted a list July 21 with his top eight choices: Florida Atlantic, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Tulane, Cincinnati, Western Kentucky, Georgia State and UAB. Another target for Smith will be his

twin brother Jahmal Smith, who also started at receiver as a junior.

“That’s like a one-two punch with those guys,” Malone said.

McCoy returns at running back after a solid junior season for the Cougars, but Malone is hyped to see what he can do his senior year after a lot of hard work in the offseason.

“You got to see him now,” Malone said. “He is unbelievable. He’s close to 200 pounds right now and about 5-foot10, and he looks like a running back.

He’s a stable.”

In the trenches, senior Nathan Bukovich returns to lead an offensive line that will feature three of its five starters from 2019. Malone said the offensive line as a unit has beefed up during the offseason, bumping the average height and weight up to what he feels is a more respectable level than 2019.

Dwayne Dubose takes over a Cougar defense filled with a healthy mix of veterans and young players.

Senior defensive end Jaden Gaines, at 6-foot-4 and over 200 pounds, has earned 17 college offers in the past six months and will lead an inexperienced defensive line, Malone said.

Senior linebackers Billy Spradlin and Peter Mcvay return, giving the defense

two second-team All-Region players from a season ago to man the middle of the field.

In the secondary, Malone expects three seniors to hold things down at cornerback and safety. Malone said safety Matthew Stephen and cornerbacks Tim Reed and Andre Banks will start in the secondary. Malone also said Banks “will shock a lot of people this year” with his play.

The Cougars lost surefire kicker Ian Ortloff to graduation, but Malone seemed excited about what’s in store for Chattahoochee’s special teams.

Malone said he went out and recruited a player from the Cougars soccer team to kick for the football team, and he landed a gem in senior Colton Rudnick. Plus, freshman Andrew Todd, son of the school’s principal, is another kicker that Malone said he’s excited about.

All in all, Chattahoochee seems primed to take a major step forward in 2020 after a winless season in 2018 and 3-7 record in 2019 in Malone’s first year as head coach.

“The biggest thing for me is taking what we did in year 1 and taking another step in ‘chasing greatness,’ which is our motto,” Malone said.

22 | August 27, 2020 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

Winning close ones enters team mantra at Forsyth Central HERALD FILE PHOTO

South Forsyth’s experience could pay dividends this year

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — This season will mark Jeff Arnette’s 11th season leading South Forsyth, and he said this team is perhaps the most experienced in his tenure at the school.

South returns much of its offensive skill players, nearly the entire offensive line and a bevy of defensive players who racked up significant playing time last season.

“I really feel experience is our strength,” Arnette said. “We have a lot coming back that have had time in a varsity game, and I think that shows in practice how far ahead we are at this point of the season compared to other years.”

Many of the War Eagles’ seasoned players will line up on offense, and Arnette said the squad has a “lot of weapons.”

Junior Kyle Durham will line up behind center again after missing much of last season with a knee injury. Despite limited playing time, he compiled over 800 yards passing with six touchdowns.

“He missed several games, but he played well when he did play,” Arnette said.

“We’re looking for great things out of him.”

Durham will have a large target in 6-foot-6 tight end Devin Mcglockton who brought in 38 receptions for over 500 yards with six touchdowns last season.

Senior Mitch Thompson will also be a go-to receiver, Arnette said.

South has depth at running back, Arnette said, with 2019 leading rusher Tre’Von Green heading the rushing attack again along with junior Gavin Morris.

Paving the way will be a seasoned offensive line. Four starters from last year, Bryce Meyers, Braden Beecher, Ethan Patrick and Bradley Hutcheson, all seniors, will again man the trenches. Meyers and Patrick were voted all-region last year.

Defensively, Arnette expects the linebacker core to be South’s strength. Gavin Morris is back after an impressive sophomore season, with Alec Stephens, who was second on the team in total tackles in 2019. Injuries kept senior Julian Bolanos on the sidelines for a significant por-

tion of the last two season, but Arnette said the linebacker is healthy and should make an impact for South’s defense.

Leading the defensive front will be the sizeable duo of senior Taft Hilton and junior Ian O’Dowd. Hilton had 55 tackles last year with four sacks. O’Dowd compiled 33 tackles and a forced fumble.

The secondary is less in focus at this point, but the players are there.

“At cornerback and free safety, we are trying to find guys to take those spots, but we feel we have a lot of people who can do that for us,” Arnette said.

Kicking duties are a question mark, but Arnette said some younger players have been practicing to handle special teams assignments.

Arnette described this year’s War Eagles as experienced but also hungry following their 6-5 campaign in 2019. Though the program earned its sixth straight playoff berth, the team wanted more.

“Any time you get into the playoffs in Class 7A, it’s a great thing, but I think the guys coming back are not happy with the way things ended,” Arnette said. “That’s an advantage in the way they didn’t feel like they accomplished all they could, so they are hungry to get back at it.”

And the end goal is a region trophy.

“It’s always the goal to win region, and they have that in the front of their minds and have been talking about it a lot,” Arnette said. “They are an experienced squad and a hungry squad, and those two things could make for a good season for us.”

Bulldogs will look to limit mistakes that hindered team

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — While Forsyth Central has been preparing for the 2020 season, discussions have often included last year’s 4-5 finish, a record that, had a few things gone differently, could have included several more wins.

The Bulldogs fell to Cass by 8 points, their only non-region loss of the year, and then dropped their matchups with North Forsyth, West Forsyth and South Forsyth by a single score. In all cases, Central had its opportunities to come back.

“We have talked a lot about not making mistakes at crucial times,” Central head coach Frank Hepler said.

“We don’t turn the ball over in those situations, maybe we are 8-1 or 9-1, have a great season and maybe win region. We had the ball at the end of all of those ballgames. Since we started our meetings on Zoom in spring, we’ve been talking about taking care of the ball and not making mistakes at crucial times.”

Much of the Bulldogs’ talent from last year’s squad returns this season looking to put past mistakes behind them, including the offensive backfield.

Senior quarterback Bronson Landreth will lead the offense again after compiling over 1,000 combined rushing and passing yards with 13 total touchdowns.

Hepler says he likes the skill and depth of his rushers, and plenty of players will rack up yards on the ground.

At slotback, the offense will feature sophomore Peyton Streko, junior Marcus Brown and senior Solomon Gates, who averaged 7.8-yards per carry last year. A trio of rushers, seniors Eli Ruis and Ryan Van Uum and sophomore Patrick Haertel will line up at B-back.

Ruis compiled over 560 yards rushing last year with four touchdowns and was named all-region.

Senior Noah Chol provides flexibility to the offense and can line up in the backfield or as a wideout.

“He was a big weapon for us last

year,” Hepler said.

Several starters on the offensive line return to pave the way for what Hepler says will be an offense similar to Kennesaw State University.

“We are still trying to have a great ground game and run the triple option at people,” Hepler said. “And we are trying to emulate [Kennesaw State] because they do a great job of running and passing. We are trying to be more balanced.”

Hepler said the Bulldogs will not have the most sizeable defense overall, but they are fast and “can fly around and cause people some problems.”

The defensive line will be led by 6-foot-2, 300-lb. tackle Nick Cribbs, an all-region selection in 2019. Canaan Clark will also line up at tackle with Ricky Stever at end.

Senior Nick Forrester, second on the team in total tackles last year, returns at linebacker.

Hepler said Central’s secondary will be “very athletic,” and will feature returning safeties Jake Stephens and Chol.

Senior Fabian Martinez will control kicking duties. He averaged 48 yards per kickoff last season and was 7-7 on PATs. Central’s load of returning talent, and those stepping into larger roles, is anxious to hit the field and put the miscues of 2019 behind them.

“They are wanting to make up for the mistakes of last year, and they are wanting to be a better team that has respect in the county and other areas,” Hepler said. “They feel like they let themselves, their families or their school down last year. But they have a great attitude, and I’ve enjoyed every second of being on the field with them through the summer. We are excited to get the chance to come back.”

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 27, 2020 | 23

Following 2019 success, North Forsyth hungry for more Raiders return key players from 2019 playoff squad

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Last season, North Forsyth sampled a playoff win for first time in 15 years and was a win away from its first region championship in nearly two decades. That experience has left them craving more.

“Finishing second in the region gave players a taste of what it’s like to play for a championship,” North Forsyth head coach Robert Craft said. “It was the first time North Forsyth was mentioned in that conversation in a while, and winning in the first round of the playoffs and being competitive in those games just made our guys hungrier.”

Craft said the team’s de facto motto this season is to chase, including the road to a region crown, and much of last year’s talent will be back in the pursuit.

The Raiders’ veteran offensive backfield returns with an added year of experience from quarterback Brady Meitz and top rusher Jared Lucero, both

entering their senior campaigns.

Meitz compiled over 2,100 yards passing last season with 22 touchdown throws, while Lucero averaged 5.3 yards per carry and totaled 874 yards and six scores on the year.

Craft said he likes the team’s depth at tailback, and junior Patrick Corrigan and senior Mike Benjamin will also get carries.

Meitz will look to new targets this season with North graduating its top three receivers from 2019, including four-year starter Nicky Dalmolin, now at Duke.

“I don’t know if you replace him with one person, I think it’s going to be receiving by committee,” Craft said.

He added that senior Tucker Hartsfield would likely be the Raiders’ top target.

Hartsfield saw limited playing time last season due to injury and had five receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown.

The offensive line features one returning starter, guard Noah Macias. While the line is inexperienced, Craft said they have great potential and many guys stepping up got playing time last year.

Senior Max Bryant at 6-foot-1, 265lbs. will anchor the defensive line along with Chris Herock who had a standout freshman campaign. Bryan was third on the team in tackles (46) last year while Herock compiled 29 tackles and caused a fumble. Craft said the team’s defensive line will be one of the team’s key strengths.

In addition to getting some carries on offense, Corrigan will lead the linebacker core. He was second on the team in total tackles (74) and had six sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception.

Craft said the Raiders’ secondary has

depth, starting with safeties Peyton Wagner and Austin Colon and cornerback Jumel Lewis.

With a goal of again competing for a region crown, Craft said he is looking forward to his team’s new region, 6-7A, that now includes Denmark and Gainesville.

“With all the schools from the county in the same region, it makes for a rivalry game every year,” Craft said. “It makes Friday nights really special.”

While Gainesville is a new addition to North’s region, it is a familiar program.

North has beaten the Red Elephants in non-region play the last two seasons.

As North chases success, Craft said the program will continue to focus on its strengths.

“We want to establish the run, and at the same time, spread things out,” he said. “Defensively, we want to be aggressive and dictate the tempo on both sides of the ball.”

With their mantra of “chasing,” Craft is optimistic for the Raiders 2020 campaign.

“These guys are chasing what is in front of us, they are pursuing that every day,” he said.

Question marks remain for West Forsyth entering season New coaching staff continues fine tuning

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The 2020 season is just as much of a mystery to West Forsyth as any other team, but the Wolverines have additional questions to answer.

“There are a lot of unknowns on our team, and those are the things that keep a coach up at night,” said first-year head coach David Svehla.

There is ongoing competition for starting positions. Without spring football or a scrimmage, the team will enter the season without the convenience of being able to fine tune through game experience.

And there is a new culture being instilled by a revamped coaching staff.

Svehla was named West’s fourth head coach earlier this year with three other coaches joining the program.

Jacob Nichols will serve as the offensive coordinator following six seasons as the head coach at Alpharetta where he had a 46-22 record with two region titles.

Other coaching newcomers to West include running backs coach Mike Cox, offensive-line coach Kyle Hill and Jim Brown, defensive line coach.

“It’s been a challenge with a brand-

new staff, new offensive schemes and a different culture, but credit to the kids, they’re adjusting,” Svehla said.

A focus heading into the 2020 year has been putting more points on the board to take some stress off the defense. The Wolverines averaged 17 points per game last season and scored 10 or fewer points in four of their 11 games.

Who will lead that offense as starting quarterback has yet to be determined.

Drew Southern appeared in 10 games for the Wolverines last year, racking up 979 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions. Though he led the team in nearly all passing categories, Svehla said the starting job is being settled by competition.

Two knowns are who will be in the backfield and who will be a go-to receiver.

Tailback Daba Fofana returns for his senior campaign after rushing for 535 yards and four touchdowns last season.

He was also named all-region as a punter.

“He’s had a great camp, he’s a hard worker and he’s been consistent for us,” Svehla said.

Oscar Delp will provide a sizeable and speedy target from the tight end position at 6-foot-5 and 205-lbs.

“Oscar is figuring out who he is and

what he has the potential to be,” Svehla said. “We are hoping we can utilize his size and speed.”

West’s offensive front is still being tuned, but Svehla said the group is getting better each day.

“How they go is how our team goes,” he said.

Svehla said the goal for the offense will be a physical and effective, “vertical” run game.

“I think a lot of coaches say that, and I’m saying it, but that’s what we want to be, and we’ll wait and see if we can be that kind of group,” he said.

The Wolverines’ defense lost several all-region selections, including linebackers Jack Hughes and Eli Orr, who was voted co-defensive player of the year, and defen-

sive lineman Aiden Phillips (second team).

Two players to earn all-region honors will return this year. Junior defensive back Bryce Allen who had 47 tackles, 16 passes defended and two interceptions last year is back. Free safety Dalton Tjong compiled 98 tackles, five interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a caused fumble is also ready.

“Dalton is our leader on defense, he’s a great communicator and a really good football player,” Svehla said. “He a really disciplined kid and a key to that side of the ball.”

Svhela said other players he expects to make an impact are sophomore linebacker Raleigh Herbert and senior safety Kobe Hanes, who missed all but three games last season due to injury.

“Kobe has the potential to be a big playmaker,” Svhela said.

Place kicker Alex Wilson returns for his senior season after earning all-region second team honors in 2019. He was 1417 on PATs and 9-10 on field goals with a long of 46 yards.

While there remains much to be finalized and tweaked for the Wolverines, Svehla is pleased with his 2020 squad.

“Without a spring ball or a scrimmage, who knows our outlook?” he said.

“But at the same time this is a great group to coach. They work hard and do what we ask them to do.”

24 | August 27, 2020 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

New head coach to lead ‘scrappy’ Lambert squad Watson hopes to turn Longhorns’ fortune

Denmark features revamped look entering year three New coaching staff to lead young squad

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Tommy Watson, Lambert’s new head coach, has kicked off a culture change for the program, emphasizing physical play, stringent work ethic, a focus on team play and competition for each position.

While far from the ideal time to take over a new program and instill these keystones, Watson said his players are “all in.”

“They are a scrappy bunch of guys,” Watson said. “We may not be the biggest or the fastest, but they are going to fight their butts off, tooth and nail. I told them we may not win all our games, but when the game is over the coaches and players from the other team are going to look at us and say, ‘That’s a program on its way up.’”

And the only way is up. The Longhorns are coming off an 0-10 season in which they were beaten by an average of 27 points. But Watson says the new regime and focuses have reinvigorated his players.

After allowing seven of their opponents to score 40 or more points last year, Watson said the offseason emphasis has been on building Lambert’s defense, which has a mixture of returning starters and new talent.

Watson is looking to junior inside linebacker Harrison Peyton to lead Lambert’s defense. Peyton led the team in tackles (68) last season.

“Remember that name,” Watson said.

“He’s a special kid and is really something to watch.”

Peyton will be joined by fellow returning linebacker Thomas Tattersall, who was second on the team in tackles in 2019. Watson said junior linebacker Jake Johnson has had an impressive offseason.

Brennan Schneider, a 6-foot-1, 225lb junior, will be the ringleader for the defensive front.

“He’s nasty and physical, an oldschool throwback that could have played back when I played,” Watson said.

Lambert will rotate in six players on its defensive line including 6-foot4, 235-lb. junior Elijah Haughawout, sophomore Steven Aguilar and senior Brandon King, who did not play football last year.

Watson said he feels confident at the cornerback position with senior Nicholas Pasonski, who had 36 tackles

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Though Denmark is still sowing the seeds of its program, the Danes have gone through a refresh and revamp heading into 2020. An almost entirely new coaching staff will lead a relatively inexperienced team as it makes its debut in the highest classification in Georgia.

Head coach Mike Palmieri, a three-time state championship winning coach in North Carolina, leads a staff that has only four returning coaches. Through a challenging offseason, Palmieri said the new staff have been working to establish the type of team the Danes will be moving forward.

“We are starting to build a winning culture and attitude, and the kids and coaching staff have been great,” Palmieri said. “We are trying to get them to play for the guy next to them and for the sticker on their helmet.

That’s everything we’re trying to do at Denmark, realizing it’s all bigger than just one person, including myself. We want to stay locked in and make sure everyone knows they are important.”

This offseason has marked the first in which the Danes have contended with the loss of seniors, and the Class of 2020 left some significant holes.

The offensive line will likely operate with five new starters. William Purdy, the Danes’ 6-foot-2, 260-lb. center is back for his senior campaign, but Palmieri said he is battling an injury, which will likely leave the line completely green this season.

Injury could keep another of Denmark’s few offensive returners sidelined. North Carolina State quarterback commit Aaron McLaughlin is “banged up,” Palmieri said.

McLaughlin, an all-region selection last year, threw for over 2,000 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Another option under center is sophomore Tre Jones, who transferred to Denmark from six-time Indiana state champions Montini Catholic High School.

With the graduation of Ze’Vian Capers, now at Auburn, the Danes are without their top receiver in the program’s first two years. Palmieri said seniors Casey Gunn, Ben Cripe,

and two interceptions last year, and Tre Drewery, who has moved up from safety.

The search is still on at the safety position, Watson said.

Like the defense, the Longhorns have several returners on offense but there will be a handful of new starters.

Watson said the team’s offensive strength is its receiving core that includes 6-foot-1 junior receiver Kojo Antwi, a four-star recruit who has fielded two dozen D-1 offers. Antwi averaged 14.1-yards per catch in 2019 with 679 total yards and six touchdowns.

Seniors Braden Bamburowski and Jack Stewart, who were second and third in receiving yards last year, will also be targeted.

Though, who gets the ball to those receivers is still a question. Junior Ashton Smith, sophomore James Tyre and senior Logan Wire are all battling for the quarterback position.

“Ashton played JV last year, and he’s got a big arm and is very intelligent,” Watson said. “Tyre is a dual-threat guy, I feel like he can score anytime he touches the ball. Logan, our senior, he may take some snaps as well.”

Leading the running game will be seniors Robert Riddle, who missed much of last season with an injury, and football newcomer Khalil Burgess.

Watson expects his tackles to lead the offensive line. Grayson Mains, a 6-foot-5, 265-lb. junior and 6-foot-7, 290-lb. senior Arrison Cole.

“Grayson has a very high ceiling, and I think Arrison, the sky’s the limit for him, he’s something special,” Watson said.

With a refreshed coaching staff and a new culture, Lambert will look to return to its winning ways after three losing seasons. And their new head coach is confident they could be on their way.

“I’m proud of our seniors to our freshman,” Watson said. “These guys are hungry to win, they deserve to win, and they will have the opportunity to win.”

Azari Brown and Teddy Davenport will be the main targets this season.

Gunn and Davenport each hauled in 30 catches last year for over 370 yards.

Senior Zach Ogbogu will likely lead the rushing charge after compiling over 400 yards with eight touchdowns last year. Palmieri said Devin Ducille will also get his share of carries.

Denmark’s defense took a hit following last season with the graduation of several all-region standouts, including linebacker Nick Carozza (Austin Peay), CJ Ford (Eastern Kentucky) and defensive lineman Arthur Marsden (Birmingham Southern). The Danes defense does have some experience returning, though.

Senior linebacker Harrison Halder is back for his senior season after compiling 55 tackles last year and leading the team in sacks (6).

Austin West is back on the defensive front after playing in five games last season as a sophomore, and junior Kenon Dicks returns to the secondary.

The Danes’ schedule does not allow any ease of transition as the team fields a significant number of somewhat inexperienced players. Denmark is scheduled to take on the talented programs of Greater Atlanta Christian, Lanier and Shiloh before beginning Region 6-7A play.

“We want to get our young kids experience, but we are definitely going to be a one-week-at-a-time team,” Palmieri said. “We are excited about getting this program in the right direction.”

Palmieri described the personality of his team as “hard-working,” and that could fuel Denmark’s potential triumph this year sporting a mostly new look.

“It is important for us to get better every week,” Palmieri said. “We want to always be moving forward, and the score will take care of itself if we work hard and do it the right way.”

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 27, 2020 | 25

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26 | August 27, 2020 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

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