Blitz '23 | Football Preview

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FootballgamesIcan’t wait to watch in 2023

Three words excite me most this time of year: Football. Is. Back. Newton County area teams will play the final round of scrimmages on Aug. 11 and season openers will begin Aug. 18.

In some ways, it feels like the last football season just ended and in others it seems like it’s taken forever for this season to come back around.

Nevertheless, there is a lot to be excited about no matter which team you root for in this area — Alcovy, Eastside, Newton or Social Circle.

Every Friday night action is sure to have fans on the edge of their seats.

With that said, there are five games I’m looking forward to the most heading into a new season.

NO. 5: ALCOVY VS. MORROW

THURSDAY

SEPT. 28

As the Tigers’ 2022 season played out, they were just one game away from returning to the postseason. If you looked at it more closely, though, they were edged out by a 34-29 loss at Morrow.

Now graduated gunslinger Ashton Evans was hurt for a drive or two and returned to lead a near comeback. So, it would have been interesting to see how things would’ve unfolded.

This go round, this matchup might just decide the fourth and final playoff spot from Region 3-AAAAAA. Will the Tigers get revenge? Or will Morrow come out on top?

That’s why I’ll be thoroughly intrigued to watch this game up close.

NO. 4: SOCIAL CIRCLE @ COMMERCE FRIDAY

Across all sports, it seems the Redskins’ main rival has emerged by way of the Commerce Tigers.

NO. 3: NEWTON @ BROOKWOOD FRIDAY

OCT. 13

What intrigues me the most about Newton’s road matchup versus Brookwood mainly has to do with how last year’s game ended.

The Broncos led 31-0 at the half. By the end, the Rams scored 23 unanswered points to almost complete a come-from-behind win.

Newton was just a few plays away from a Region 4-AAAAAAA win. Now, having to go to Brookwood’s house, will the Rams get the better of the Broncos?

If they do, it will be the first ever in the 20-game series that Newton would have beaten the Broncos away from Sharp Stadium. It will also be the first win for the Rams since 2020.

NO. 2: EASTSIDE VS. LOGANVILLE FRIDAY

SEPT. 29

This matchup between the Eagles and Red Devils is a storied rivalry. In six of the 15 total contests, the margin of victory has been 10 or fewer points.

Three of those instances come from the past three seasons. In 2020, Eastside won 7-3 and, the next year, won 10-9. Loganville got a stop late in the fourth quarter last season to preserve a 13-10 win.

As someone who was on the sideline for each of the last two matches, this game is one of the most invigorating high school football matchups I’ve ever watched.

To be perfectly honest, I don’t foresee that changing in 2023.

OCT. 6

Whether it’s with girls soccer for a state title or on the gridiron, both teams want to win this contest every year. Particularly with football, the matchup has come down to the wire.

Last season, Social Circle hosted the Tigers on homecoming and lost in a tough, overtime battle 24-21. Two years ago, the Redskins went to Commerce’s place and brought home a 28-19 victory — the Redskins’ first win in the series since 2005.

Will the outcome seesaw back to the red and black side or will the gold and black make it two in a row? We won’t know until early October.

NO. 1: ALL NEWTON COUNTY TEAMS’ HOME GAMES

Ah yes. First, I wrote about coaches wanting to play on turf at Sharp Stadium. Then, I wrote the breaking news piece when the project was approved at the Newton County Schools’ board of education meeting. Now, after reporting on the development of turf installation, I cannot wait to see how the updated playing surface looks and feels under those Friday night lights.

I’m sure seeing the area’s student-athletes enjoy a project that has been in the works for months finally playing one will be a gratifying moment for this sports editor.

To watch a new chapter unfold inside Sharp Stadium’s long history will be a sight to see, I have no doubt.

Phillip B. Hubbard is the sports editor of The Covington News. He can be reached at phubbard@covnews.com.

PHILLIP B. HUBBARD SPORTS EDITOR

AUGUST 11 VS. ARABIA MOUNTAIN

AUGUST 18 @ LITHONIA

AUGUST 25 VS. NEWTON

SEPTEMBER 08 @ EASTSIDE

*SEPTEMBER 15 @ MUNDY’S MILL

*SEPTEMBER 22

@ WOODWARD ACADEMY

*SEPTEMBER 28 VS. MORROW

*OCTOBER 06 @ LOVEJOY

*OCTOBER 20 @ FOREST PARK

OCTOBER 27 VS. JONESBORO

*NOVEMBER 03 VS. ROCKDALE COUNTY

Tigers continue to find their STRIDE

In the home stretch of the 2022 campaign, the Alcovy Tigers seemed to find their stride. Alcovy concluded the year on a three-game winning streak.

Head coach Spencer Fortson believes the players have been working off that momentum throughout the offseason.

“We were able to build off some things from last season where we finished the season off with a three-game winning streak,” Fortson said. “And going into the summer we have been telling our guys we want to continue to build off of last season progress”

The Tigers narrowly missed out on a playoff berth by finishing fifth in Region 3-AAAAAA. In year No. 2 under Fort -

son, Alcovy has a playoff return on its mind.

At the end of last year, the Tigers finished the season 4-6 overall with a 3-4 mark in Region 3-AAAAAA.

Over the summer, Fortson and his staff put their team into padded camps and 7-on-7 camps where Fortson believes the team has gotten better. They also did a few activities away from the field to help build team camaraderie.

Senior wideout Bernard “BJ” Johnson shared how that has benefited the team.

“As the seniors on the team, we created various team-bonding activities that have allowed us to grow stronger as brothers on and off the field,” Johnson

Players came together through TEAM BUILDING

DJ MOORE

THE TIGERS’ DEFENSE IS CALLED ‘THE BLACK SWARM.’ | ANDREW MILLS

Good Luck On A Great Football Season!

said. “We make sure that everyone is involved in our team-bonding activities including the coaches as well.”

Individually, Fortson has taken the time to examine his first year as a head coach and how he can improve going into his second season.

“The one thing that I learned is that it is different being a coordinator and then stepping into that position as a head coach,” Fortson said. “I had to be lenient with some things and with being a coordinator for the past 10 years, it was definitely different. I took the offseason to reevaluate myself.”

The Tigers will have 12 seniors that will lead the Tigers into the 2023 cam-

Offensive line is expected to be a STRENGTH

When you look up, you’re going to see that you have achieved everything that we wanted to achieve as a team.

“ COACH FORTSON

SPENCER FORTSON ENTERS SECOND YEAR AS ALCOVY’S HEAD COACH | PHILLIP B. HUBBARD

TAYLOR RICHARDSON (14) WILL BE ONE OF THE TIGERS’ DEFENSIVE LEADERS | ANDREW MILLS SCAN

paign. There were 17 seniors on last year’s team, who made contributions to the program.

Of the 12 seniors, Fortson highlighted approximately eight have seen “significant playing time.”

The Tigers will have seven returning starters on offense and seven returning on the defense. But the offensive line will be a strong unit for Fortson and his offense.

“We are returning everyone on the offensive line except for one person. We are looking for those guys to lead us offensively,” Fortson said. “But in the secondary is where most of our starters are returning.”

The Tigers will have a new starting quarterback running their offense, too. Threeyear starter Ashton Evans graduated in May after leading the Tigers to playoff appearances while being the main guy taking snaps.

Fortson emphasized that there is a quarterback competition for the No. 1 spot. The front runners have been rising junior Patrick Lucero and sophomore Patrick Wolfe.

“Going in, Pat Lucero is our guy,” Fortson said. “He’s a guy we’ve been going in with. We have [Wolfe] come in and he’s

been lighting a fire underneath. So, it’ll be good to see both of those guys battle out and see the things they’re able to do controlling the offense.”

The two leaders for this year’s team seem to be Johnson on offense and senior safety Taylor “Tay” Richardson.

“Offensively, BJ has been the vocal leader for us and making sure guys are competing, “ Fortson said. “And, on the defensive side of the ball, Tay has been the voice that everyone listens to on that side of the ball.”

The Tigers will open up their season on the road as they will face the Lithonia Bulldogs on Aug 18. Region 3-AAAAAA competition cranks up for Alcovy at Mundy’s Mill on Sept. 15.

With a new season on the horizon, Fortson believes his team has what it takes to accomplish their goal of making it back to the postseason.

“I tell the guys this, ‘Put your head down and just continue being consistent in the things you’re doing on a daily basis and the things we ask you to do,’” Fortson said. “‘Then, when you look up, you’re going to see that you have achieved everything that we wanted to achieve as a team.’”

Eagles look to experienced YOUNG TALENT to uphold program’s ‘standard’

After last year’s conclusion, the Eastside Eagles celebrated eight of its seniors who signed scholarships to play at the next level. In total, the Eagles graduated 16 players from last season’s squad.

As a result, head coach Jay Cawthon is looking to the younger players to step up and fill crucial roles on the roster.

“We lost a good crop, but we feel like we got some good young kids coming back with some experience,” Cawthon said. “We’ll see how they react playing under Friday night lights. We play a tough schedule. Our non-region schedule is tough and our region is very, very tough. That’s what we like is to go out

and compete and see how we’re going to react.”

Eastside has five returning starters on defense and four on offense. Even so, it isn’t like the Eagles’ will have brand new players out there.

Away from the starters, the Eagles have players who have had significant playing time in varsity action. Plus, they’ve had the past offseason to prepare for the new season ahead.

“At Eastside, I think we do a good job of coaching our young kids and developing them,” Cawthon said. “By the time they are ready to be out there on Friday night, they’re ready to go.”

Over the last few years, Eastside’s

PHILLIP B. HUBBARD

ELIJAH DAVIS (12) WILL BRING INTENSITY TO THE EAGLES DEFENSE | PHILLIP B. HUBBARD

Good Luck On A Great Football Season!

M.O. has been running the football. Players like all-state Dallas Johnson and now Kennesaw State Owl Kenai Grier are the most recent featured backs.

Now, junior Jayden Barr seems to be the leader for the running back corp. He had 30 carries for 287 yards and two scores. Barr is a big time contributor from his defensive back position having 59 tackles and one tackle for loss a season ago.

Assisting the running game will be the play of the offensive line group. It will be led by junior guard Tagen Brown who is one of two returning starters. Carlton Belgrave is the second.

This position group received a

Eastside has NINE RETURNING STARTERS

SCAN HERE FOR MORE

Game reps is where you learn if you belong out there.

“ COACH CAWTHON

JAY

CAWTHON ENTERS HIS THIRD SEASON AT THE HELM OF THE EAGLES | PHILLIP B. HUBBARD

change, too, in the offseason when former Eastside head coach Troy Hoff returned to be the offensive line coach.

Following E’Sean Arnold’s graduation, sophomore gunslinger Payton Shaw has been given control of the Eagles’ offense. He started the final two games for Eastside last season, which featured a road game at Jefferson and the Class AAAAA playoff matchup at Calhoun.

Shaw appeared in seven games in which he completed 61 percent of his passes and threw for 201 yards and had one interception.

Cawthon is eager to see how the offense operates in the upcoming year.

“From year to year, your identity changes. The last couple of years, we’ve been really run heavy,” Cawthon said. “I personally think you’ve got to run the football to be able to win. That’s what I’m looking forward to is seeing what our identity is going to be.”

Returning on defense is junior Bailey Benson who recorded 61 tackles last year along with 13 tackles for loss — which was second-most — five sacks and one pick-6. Sophomore Xavier Joseph — who is Jean Claude Joseph III’s younger brother — will be back as linebacker. Joseph registered 47 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks.

Elijah Davis, a junior, rounds out the younger returners for the Eagles’ defense. He finished last

season with the second-most total tackles with 85.

One of the squad’s 10 seniors, Jacorey Jackson will be back on defense, too. As a junior, Jackson recorded 77 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and one sack.

Over the summer, Eastside has gone through team workouts, participated in a plethora of padded camps and more. It is all in preparation for the 2023 season.

The Eagles’ 2022 campaign ended with a 2321 loss at Calhoun in the state playoffs. According to Cawthon, the players still remember that game well.

“Last year with a 6-5 record was not our standard. We got put out in the first round by Calhoun and had every opportunity to win that ball game,” Cawthon said. “I think these guys are feeding off that game here in the offseason.”

Eastside’s season begins on Aug. 18 at home versus Luella. The two weeks after, the Eagles will face in-county rivals Newton and Alcovy at Sharp Stadium.

On Sept. 22, the Eagles will go to Flowery Branch to kick off Region 8-AAAAA play.

Cawthon believes that, in-game experience, will only make this young core better.

“You only get better by playing the game. Practicing can only go so far,” Cawthon said. “Game reps is where you learn if you belong out there.”

NEWTON RAMS

AUGUST 19 @ HAPEVILLE CHARTER

AUGUST 25 @ ALCOVY

SEPTEMBER 01 VS. EASTSIDE

SEPTEMBER 09 VS. MCEACHERN

SEPTEMBER 15 VS. WESTLAKE

*SEPTEMBER 29 @ GRAYSON

*OCTOBER 13 @ BROOKWOOD

*OCTOBER 20 VS. PARKVIEW

*OCTOBER 26 VS. SOUTH GWINNETT

*NOVEMBER 03 @ ARCHER

The Newton Rams have been busy since the beginning of the offseason. They finished with 15 spring practices, 19 summer workouts and 14 camps.

During that time, head coach Josh Skelton has had one emphasis — Play fast.

That mindset transcends Friday night lights.

“Getting out there and playing fast has to be a transfer to how we work,” Skelton said. “We workout fast, we lift fast and we move from station to station fast. So when we go out on the field, we want that to be the same. I’ve been pleased with how we’ve done that on

both sides of the ball.”

Newton’s offseason began with a change at the helm. Camiel Grant Jr., resigned and Skelton, who was the defensive coordinator last year, was promoted.

The Rams also lost high caliber players, which includes the departure of four, 3-star players.

Nevertheless, the program returns key pieces, particularly six starters on defense.

Senior Ephraim Wright is back after recording 24 total tackles. Then there’s Jamarcus Presley leading the secondary unit with 36 tackles and one tackle for loss.

Six starters return on DEFENSE

PHILLIP B. HUBBARD

The Rams are ‘READY FOR THE CHALLENGE’ in upcoming season

NEWTON’S DEFENSE EXPECTS TO MAINTAIN DOMINANCE | ANTHONY BANKS

Good Luck On A Great Football Season!

Over the last few years, that side of the ball has been a dominant unit for the Rams. Skelton, who enters his 12th overall season coaching in the program, doesn’t foresee that changing.

“The ceiling is the sky. I don’t think anything about our standards will change,” Skelton said. “Our expectation is to be dominant defensively, how we run to the ball, how we defend the pass, how we defend the run, how much information we can retain, how fast we play. Defense is always set.”

There doesn’t seem to be much turnover offensively, either.

Sophomore quarterback Deron Benson comes back after starting the final

I don’t think there’s any rule that says, ‘Newton has to lose a game this year.

“ COACH SKELTON

JOSH SKELTON WAS PROMOTED

TO

HEAD COACH OVER

THE

OFFSEASON | PHILLIP B. HUBBARD

THE RAMS PLAN TO PLAY WITH AN UP-TEMPO STYLE | ANTHONY BANKS

Newton will have MULTIPLE PLAYMAKERS

SCAN HERE FOR MORE

five games a season ago. In those outings, Benson led the Rams to a 3-2 record, completing 57 percent of his passes for 410 yards and three touchdowns.

Newton’s No. 1 receiver Marcus Calwise will be a senior this year. He led the team with 32 receptions for 481 yards and finished with seven total touchdowns.

Leading the backfield group is junior Zion Johnson. He accumulated over 1,000 yards on the ground, had five games on 100-plus yards and found paydirt six times.

At the end of the day, though, Skelton believes the players’ buy-in makes them a special group.

“I don’t really believe that it’s about the plays we’re calling or anything like that. It’s about these guys’ beliefs,” Skelton said. “Our practice days are legendary in terms of how hard we practice and how competitive we are. We have won a lot of things before we even touch the field.”

In 11 of the past 12 seasons, Newton has qualified for postseason action. Last season, the Rams concluded with a 6-5 record, 3-2 in Region 4-AAAAAAA and made it to the playoffs as the No. 3 seed.

The Rams beat Parkview, South Gwinnett and Archer to close the regular sea-

son out. Newton’s playoff presence was short-lived, however, with a 35-0 loss at Marietta High School in round one.

Heading into a new year, the Rams are working for that not to be the case this go round.

“The guys are understanding exactly what to do. Understanding that we’re not trying to trick anybody in terms of who we are on both sides of the ball,” Skelton said. “I want to see us continue to be more efficient in everything we do.”

The 2023 campaign kicks off Aug. 19 on the road at Hapeville Charter. On Sept. 29, the Rams will begin Region 4-AAAAAAA action at Grayson, followed by a road date against Brookwood two weeks later.

Despite the opponent, Skelton has confidence that his team can accomplish their goal of going 1-0 every week.

“I look at our region, for me personally and our team, I don’t think there’s any rule that says, ‘Newton has to lose a game this year.,’” Skelton said. “We’re always closing the gap. You’re always trying to get better. If Newton plays Newton ball, we expect to win every single game on our schedule.

“We’re ready for the challenge this year. I’m proud of the team we’re putting together.”

M E T O W N D E R M A T O L O G Y D E R M A T O L O G Y

M E T O W N H

2023

AUGUST

@ EAST JACKSON

Competition has been the name of the game for the Social Circle Redskins this offseason. Head coach Rob Patton has monitored every position group as the players have been vying for starting spots throughout the spring and summer.

Knowing this made Patton’s choice for the 2023 season’s motto easy.

“We had an open competition across the whole team, our motto this year was to ‘Compete,’” Patton said. “We wanted everyone competing, best against best.”

After losing seniors such as Logan Cross, Phillip Baynes Jr. and AJ Vinson, Patton knew going into the offseason that his guys were going to need to step

up in the right areas.

Seventeen seniors graduated from the program in May. Six of them have gone on to play college football. A good portion of those players were three-and four-year starters, too.

The marquee position battle going into the offseason for Social Circle was behind center. Social Circle has been tasked with replacing four-year starter Cross.

Senior Sean Crews took the job in late summer, beating out the Redskins leading receiver from 2022, Jude Nelson.

Durden is a running back and outside linebacker who, like Crews, was named a senior captain for the team going into the year.

“We talk about our core values at Social Circle being toughness, effort, accountability and mindset,” Patton said. “Those are four traits that require zero talent but it is a personal decision you have to make every day to embody those things and [Crews and Durden] do that every day.”

Nelson will accompany both Crews and Durden as the main pieces that will be relied upon for offensive production. Along with being a top option for Crews on offense, Nelson is still expected to

be an important player in the Redskins’ secondary.

Like the offense, the defense will be full of new faces but Patton has already seen guys make noticeable progress already.

Patton mentioned senior DeMascio Bolden and juniors

Jaylen Victor and Bristol Evans as three guys on the defensive side who will play crucial roles to the unit’s success in 2023.

Bolden and Evans have solidified themselves in the center of the defense at the inside linebacker positions while Victor provides the needed experience in the secondary alongside Nelson.

One difference that Patton expects from the team in 2023 is the adoption of a tougher style of play. That mentality has shown up in each practice session.

“The last few years we started out practice with 10 minutes of throwing the ball and running out and catching it and it has been fun and laid back,” Patton said. “This year, whether it

is raining or if it is 100 degrees outside, we start out tackling to the ground.”

The first task will be on Aug. 18 on the road against Morgan County. Region 5A-Division I play commences on Oct. 10 versus Jasper County.

Last season, the Redskins finished 8-4 overall and were region runners up. Social Circle defeated Whitefield Academy in the first round of the Class A-Division I playoffs. As a result, the program had its first playoff win since 2005 and just the second ever in school history.

As the offseason competition flips into in-season competition, Patton wants the program to continue moving forward.

“Each year we want to do it better than before,” Patton said. “We’ve done a lot of things for the first time at Social Circle in a long time, but now we want to do something that hasn’t been done at Social Circle before. That’s to keep going further and further in the playoffs.”

the Natural Path to Health

A new era for SHARP STADIUM

PHILLIP B. HUBBARD

Anew chapter will commence in Sharp Stadium’s near 67-year history when the 2023 football season kicks off on Aug. 18.

For the first time ever, Alcovy, Eastside and Newton’s football teams will play on an artificial turf surface.

Newton County Schools’ chief operating officer Dr. Michael Barr believes installing the turf will improve the lifespan of the athletic facility.

“The turf provides a durable, low-maintenance, weather-resistant and versatile playing surface that can withstand heavy usage,” Barr said. “The turf will allow for increased usage and improved aesthetics, making the Stadium a more valuable and sustainable asset for the community.”

The Tigers’ first home game will be against Newton on Aug. 25. The Eagles host Luella as their first home contest on Aug. 18. On Sept. 1, the Rams will face-off against Eastside for their first go on the turf.

Sports Turf Company completed the project on May 2, 2023 and, according to Barr, it was completed “as approved by the Newton County Board of Education.”

In total, transitioning to a turf surface came with a $1,334,481 price tag and was complete “without any changes to the plan.”

NCSS’s Board approved the project 4-1 at a Nov. 15, 2022 meeting. But before breaking ground, school officials consulted with the three county coaches.

Barr stressed the significance behind involving the coaches.

“Collaboration between district staff and coaches is crucial for the overall success of our athletic programs. Including the coaches who play all varsity home games at Sharp Stadium was important,” Barr said. “Involving football coaches and high school athletic directors in decision-making ensured that key stakeholders were represented. Their input and insights help us to make informed decisions that align with the needs of our school athletic programs.”

At the center of the new surface is “Sharp Stadium” as the midfield logo. The same is displayed in each of the endzones to “honor the facility’s legacy.”

The seating capacity of Sharp is 4,200.

Each end zone is predominantly filled with blue, “Sharp Stadium” is in white with gold trim around each letter.

Barr shared the reasoning behind the color scheme.

“The school district’s colors were incorporated into the field design,” Barr said. “Using the district’s colors was important as the facility will host events from all middle and high schools.”

Furthermore, the lighting at the stadium has been upgraded.

Musco Sports Lighting equipped LED lights and provided training. The upgraded lights have already been used in every schools’ class of 2023 graduation in May 2023.

18

COLOR CHANGING LED LIGHTS

VOTED 4-1 BY BOE

Barr gave the different opportunities the new system provides.

“The lighting intensity can be adjusted, and lighting effects created,” Barr said. “Color can also be added to light shows.”

By shifting from grass to artificial turf, Sharp Stadium can host multiple events.

Counting high school varsity games, there will be varsity soccer games held in the spring — the turf has black soccer lines — and a few middle school football games will be played on the new surface.

That’s not including the schools’ graduation ceremonies.

Overall, Barr and NCSS are satisfied with how the entire artificial turf project turned out. They are excited to start events in the athletic facility in the 202324 school year.

“The stadium is a point of pride and a symbol of the community’s commitment to providing resources and opportunities for student-athletes,” Barr said. “We are grateful to the voters of Newton County who made this possible through their support of the special purpose local option sales tax for education.”

67TH YEAR OF USE

MORE GAMES W/ TURF

The stadium is a point of pride and a symbol of the community’s commitment to providing resources and opportunities for student-athletes.

“ DR. MICHAEL BARR

FACILITY UPGRADES MADE INCLUDING ARTIFICIAL TURF AND LED LIGHTING

SHARP STADIUM WILL BEGIN ITS 67TH YEAR OF HOSTING LOCAL FOOTBALL ON AUGUST 18 | ANDREW MILLS

NEW FACES UNDER CENTER

PATRICK LUCERO

DJ MOORE

BATTLING TO BECOME ‘THE GUY’ FOR THE TIGERS PROGRAM

The Alcovy Tigers have had a quarterback battle all offseason to see who will be Ashton Evans’ successor.

Evans graduated from the program in May. He started the past three years and pioneered Alcovy to its first ever region championship and playoff berths.

Patrick Lucero and Patrick Wolfe have been vying for the starting spot. According to head coach Spencer Fortson, Lucero is “our guy.”

So, to begin the 2023 season, Lucero will be the Tigers’ new QB1. Nevertheless, the junior isn’t coming in brand new to the system.

“Even though I was behind Ashton last year this is my second year in the offense,” Lucero said. “So I’m picking up the terminology of the offense.”

Lucero started playing football at 4 years old, but he wasn’t on the offensive side starting out. His first position ever in football was defensive end.

He played for multiple recreational teams in the NewRock area --- East Metro Steelers, NewRock Redskins and the NewRock Bears.

Despite Lucero’s love for playing quarterback, playing defensive end originally drew him to the sport.

“When I was 11, my team didn’t really have a quarterback,” Lucero said. “So the coaches put me in there because I knew the offense.”

Lucero comes from an athletic background as the majority of his family members participated in either football or track and field.

Lucero’s dad and brothers played football

along with all of his sisters who ran track.

Still to this day, Lucero’s favorite team is the Las Vegas Raiders, formerly known as the Oakland Raiders or the Los Angeles Raiders. Due to his family being from California, the Raiders always stuck out to him as a kid.

“My parents really grew up on the Raiders, so they passed that fandom down, “ Lucero said.

Lucero models his game after former NFL veteran quarterback, Drew Brees.

“The reason why I like Drew so much is because he’s smart,” Lucero said. “And I pride myself on finding my athletes in the short gain and allow them to make people miss in space.”

Now going into his junior year as QB1, Lucero emphasized the goal is to make the playoffs.

“I feel like the team trusts me to be their starting quarterback, “ Lucero said. “And I feel like we are going to make the playoffs due to players returning from last year’s team.”

The Tigers open up their 2023 campaign on the road. They will head to DeKalb County and face the Lithonia Bulldogs on Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Lucero’s anxiousness to be “the guy” has become largely due to the expectations he has placed on himself.

“With this my first year starting, I’m anxious to show that my team can trust me to lead them this year, but at the same time I am nervous,” Lucero said. “I am ready for the season to start.”

PAYTON SHAW

PHILLIP B. HUBBARD

WORKING TOWARD BEING A LEADER FOR THE EAGLES’ OFFENSE

Heading into the 2023 campaign, the Eastside Eagles expect to have a lot of underclassmen starting on varsity. Evidence of that can be found at new starting gunslinger, sophomore Payton Shaw.

Leading the Eagles’ offense is an opportunity not taken lightly by Shaw.

“I’m trying to be a leader. I’ve always been a quiet person. I don’t really talk too much,” Shaw said. “But I’m trying to talk more, encourage and be a better leader this year.”

It won’t be like Shaw enters entirely new to being QB1, though.

He appeared in seven games as a freshman. That includes starting last year’s regular season finale at Jefferson and in round one of the Class AAAAA playoffs at Calhoun.

In total, Shaw completed 61 percent of his passes and threw for 201 yards and had one interception.

Shaw emphasized his desire to build off last year’s result.

“It’s definitely encouraging to keep my spot. I want to help bring us to where we were last year and go beyond that,” Shaw said. “I want to thank E’Sean [Arnold] for mentoring me and getting me ready for this time. He knew it was coming. I’m just trying to stay within myself and do better than I did last year.”

Shaw’s interest in football originated when he was 5 years old. So, he tried out with the Newton County Recreation Department.

It wasn’t a smooth start, but Shaw kept at it.

“I just got my feet in the water and tried it out,” Shaw said. “I stopped playing. I got hit too hard one time and I was like, ‘I’m not feeling it. This ain’t for me.’ I came back to it and fell in love.”

Shaw played for the Ducks, Tar Heels, Packers, Raiders and Eagles in the recreation league before moving to middle school.

He played for the Liberty Middle School Knights.

Throughout his career, Shaw stressed that he’s “always been a quarterback,” but he’s experienced other positions

such as linebacker, safety and cornerback.

Growing up, Shaw idolized former Auburn Tiger and NFL quarterback Cam Newton. In fact, Shaw is an all-around Auburn sports fan.

His dad played football at Auburn as a linebacker along with other family ties.

“It runs in the family and I just picked it up,” Shaw said. A lot of my family played baseball, football and basketball.”

Shaw is also a member of the Eagles’ baseball squad in the spring. He plays as a third baseman. Even so, Shaw stressed his No. 1 sport has always been football.

Shaw has remained focused all throughout the offseason at getting better as a quarterback. He’s taken additional time away from Eastside’s workouts watching film on Hudl and working with the receiving corps.

He’s also been working closely with his quarterbacks coach. That has been of great assistance, according to Shaw.

“I was kind of a lone duck last year. I really didn’t understand much of anything. Toward the end, it just clicked,” Shaw said. “Then this year with coach Barnes, I’m really starting to like it. He helps me out with everything — answers all my questions and always helps mentor me.”

Eastside’s schedule launches at Sharp Stadium with Luella coming to town. The two teams will square-off on Friday, Aug. 18.

After experiencing last year’s narrow loss in the postseason, Shaw is that much more eager for he and his teammates to show what they are made of.

The 6-foot, 175-pound gunslinger cannot wait to get the year underway.

“Last year after Calhoun, losing all of those seniors hurt. This year, even with a younger group, most of our guys have a year or two of experience,” Shaw said. “Just thinking about what we can do this year and years after makes me excited to get back out here and take the field.”

DERON BENSON

PHILLIP B. HUBBARD

LOOKING TO ADD OFF LAST YEAR’S SUCCESS WHILE LEADING OFFENSE

At the beginning of the Newton Rams’ offseason last year, Deron Benson was buried in the depth chart. The freshman gunslinger was No. 3 behind two junior players.

By week 9, Benson was leading the Rams’ offense and started the final five games in 2022.

When approaching the upcoming season, Benson hasn’t really noticed much difference from last year to this year.

“I’ve treated it like a normal summer,” Benson said. “I’m just trying to work hard like somebody’s trying to take my spot. I have to stay on top of my game.”

Benson began playing football at 4 years old. His first teams were the Rockdale Bulldogs and East Metro Steelers.

The sophomore Ram originally filled a wide receiver spot, but something happened to cause his move to under center at 9.

“I’ve been wanting to play quarterback for awhile,” Benson said. “I had to move to quarterback, because our quarterback had switched teams. I just had to do what was best for the team and I’ve been a quarterback ever since.”

Benson didn’t have to look far for his inspiration to play football. His dad played college football for the Florida Gators. Then, after trying it out, Benson found his own passion for the game.

In addition to playing football, Benson has also played basketball and ran track. Nevertheless, football has always been No. 1.

Former NFL players Cam Newton and Tavon Austin were Benson’s idols growing up.

After he finished playing in the recreation league, Benson moved up to play for the Liberty Knights. Benson helped lead the Knights to a NewRock Championship.

Next, Benson transitioned to 1 Ram Way and became a Newton Ram.

In the five games he started, the Rams went 3-2. They defeated Parkview and South Gwinnett on the road and against Acrer at home. The two losses were versus Grayson and Marietta, which was the first round of the Class AAAAAAA playoffs.

Benson also had appearances against McEachern and Brookwood.

Throughout his outings, Benson had a 57 percent completion percentage while throwing for 410 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions.

Benson has already noticed how last year’s experience has benefited him this season.

“It helped me get the pace of the game. The game has slowed down for me,” Benson said. “It’s helped me a lot in the long run.”

Heading into this season, Benson has worked on improving his all-around game — not only at practice, but in extra time with his teammates.

The 6-foot-1 sophomore has also added 22 pounds this offseason by way of the weight room, which he recognized as a personal goal.

“I think I’ve grown in my deep ball and am working through my progressions,” Benson said. “I’ve been getting extra work in with my receivers. Staying in the playbook on Hudl.”

Benson and the entire offensive unit will have a new offensive coordinator in 2023, too.

For Benson, it’s been easy learning the distinct playbook. And, in doing so, he has noticed one major difference in how the offense will operate this season.

“We have more freedom on the field,” Benson said. “As players and with me as quarterback on the field, we’re trying to have more freedom through audibles and stuff like that.”

Newton’s football schedule kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 19 at Hapeville Charter. Following that, the Rams will return to Sharp Stadium for the Newton Cup matchups against Alcovy and Eastside.

As far as Benson is concerned, though, week one can’t get here fast enough.

“It’s the love for the game that I have,” Benson said. “Playing it, the excitement, the fans and all the stuff that comes with it. [I’m most excited] to play the full season for the first time. Play with my guys and play with my receivers.”

SEAN CREWS

GARRETT PITTS

TABBED STARTER AFTER DISPLAYING TOUGHNESS IN QUARTERBACK BATTLE

For the first time in four seasons, the Social Circle Redskins will have a new player under center. After sitting behind Logan Cross the past three years, Sean Crews will lead the Redskins’ offense.

Prior to earning the starting job, Crews competed with the leader receiver from last season, Jude Nelson. Crews believes that the competition made him a better player.

“Every day, competing just makes me want to go harder,” Crews said, “and having the competition with Jude has pushed me to get the best out of our offense and make sure I bring the most potential I can.”

Despite being Cross’ backup the last few years, Crews has become a household name as an outside linebacker and an All-State wrestler.

Now Crews will get a chance to make more history on the gridiron.

When Crews and Nelson were still in the running for the open quarterback spot, Patton made it clear what he was looking for and what type of player he needed under center.

“Our No. 1 thing [for our quarterback] is leadership and just doing the right things on the field, off the field and in the weight room,” Patton said. “The next thing is just making plays, and [Crews] has shown that he can step up and make plays with his feet and through the air.”

For Patton, it is Crews’ toughness and athleticism that stood out to Patton, who sat front row for the quarterback battle through the spring and summer.

“Sean has done a really good job and had a good spring and summer. [Sean] has the experience factor back there,” Patton said. “The thing

with Sean is his grit and toughness, he is a competitor. He was a state placer for us as a junior last year, he is as tough as he could be.”

The last two seasons saw significant step ups for Social Circle’s football team, and Crews feels this year’s team is eager to push farther into the postseason.

Now that the keys to the offense are in Crews’ hands, he knows he will have to lead the offense in a similar way to Cross.

“I looked up to Logan as I played behind him for three years,” Crews said. “I have followed what he did and I have been working every day because I know I have to lead the team this year. I have been putting in the best I can to bring the best out of our offense.”

Prior to playing on the Redskins, the quarterback attended Social Circle Middle School. He didn’t play quarterback until he was subbed in from running back to replace an injured starter behind center.

The experience at running back still plays a part for Crews today. He credits his ability to move out of the pocket and run as one of the strengths for the Redskins offense going into the new season.

Crews emulated players such as Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes growing up. He feels it shows with his ability to make plays on the run and out of the pocket.

Toughness will be the name of the game for the Redskins offense led by Crews, as he has high hopes of taking Social Circle back to the playoffs.

“[My biggest impact] is definitely my ability to run with the ball,” Crews said. “Being able to take the ball and run up the middle and to take those hits and get up.”

COVINGTON ACADEMY BULLDOGS

Bulldogs look to capitalize on FRESH TALENT

PHILLIP B. HUBBARD

The Covington Academy Bulldogs will field a young squad in 2023.

After graduating large classes the last two years, the Bulldogs will rely mainly on their underclassmen for production.

Head coach Travis Price highlighted the challenges and benefits of having a youthful roster.

“We go through a lot of experienced teams. With football, that’s one of those sports where there’s a major difference between an experienced team and a young team,” Price said. “When they come in fresh, they don’t have any habits. Not bad habits, not good habits. You can teach them the way you want them to play. You just have to be patient for them to get to the level you want them to be at.”

For the first time since 2014, Covington Academy will not have a returning starting quarterback. So, all offseason, Price has overseen a battle for the No. 1 spot.

Senior Charlie Whitlock and freshman Caleb Price seem to be the top two in the running.

Whitlock is a three-year starting center while Caleb played as the middle school quarterback.

Price expects to be more run oriented, as a result.

“No matter how we go, we’re going to have a new quarterback. We’re going to be primarily run heavy,” Price said. “We’re going to look for a lot of five-to seven-yard plays. I’ll take 3.5 on every play. We don’t have to have big chunks.”

Defensively, Covington Academy plans to play a traditional 3-4 scheme. Tyler Stagemeyer, Jacob Haddix and Brent Stephenson are who Price labeled as leaders on that side of the ball.

As the season is about to get underway, Price foresees growing pains having an underclassmen-dominant roster.

Nevertheless, the intention on Friday night doesn’t change much. Price stressed that he wants his team to win, but it’ll be a process.

“My expectation for a successful season is that we get better every week,” Price said. “We’re going to look at numbers inside the game. We’ll look at tackles, points scored, points allowed and look for victories inside the game. Hopefully, by the end of the year, they’ll turn into victories on the field.”

When they come in fresh, they don’t have any habits. Not bad habits, not good habits.

“ COACH PRICE

PEACHTREE ACADEMY PANTHERS

Panthers hope to win another STATE TITLE

Throughout last season, head coach Jim Eidson and his team motto was GRIT but this year’s motto is simple: FAMILY.

“When you have to lean on people, you tend to lean on family, which are those people who have your back, “ Eidson said. “That is what we want to be. We are family and we lean on each other on and off the field.”

Returning to the state title game is on the mind of the Peachtree Academy Panthers heading into the 2023-2024 football season.

Never being satisfied is something that Eidson and his staff emphasizes to the players on a daily basis.

“Last couple of years we were hanging around the .500 mark with our season ending in the first or second round of the playoffs,” Eidson said. “We are trying to get where we were a couple of years ago and that is the state championship game.”

The Panthers were 3-4, 0-2 (region) in the regular season in 2022, while reaching the first round of the

Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools state playoffs.

The Panthers will be led by senior running back Justin Mingo, who has the most experience on the team. But the trenches is where the Panthers will thrive due to most of the lineman returning.

“Our line will probably be our strength throughout the year,” Eidson said. “We hope to use that as our anchor to get us through the season.”

The Panthers last year was a senior led team. But that’s not the case this year and now players like Will Stanley and Mingo hope to carry that torch.

“We all work together as a team and with that we took the advice that they gave us even though they play with us anymore, “ Stanley said. “The advice that they gave us has really helped us become leaders on this team.”

The Panthers will open up their football season on the road against Westminster Christian Academy on Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

DJ MOORE

We are trying to get where we were a couple of years ago and that is the state championship game

“ COACH EIDSON

PIEDMONT ACADEMY COUGARS

Taking lessons from 2022 to set up BETTER 2023

Following a 4-8 season, the Piedmont Academy Cougars are ready to get back to their winning ways on the back of their play in the trenches going into 2023.

As the team continues to get ready for week one and as the coaches continue to put the finishing touches on the 2023 roster, head coach Clint Satterfield feels confident where the team is at and their ability to win more games this season.

“[This summer] has been productive, we have a lot of moving parts to replace,” Satterfield said. “There has been a lot of teaching and hard work. Overall, it has been good.”

After a slow start to the season in 2022, the Cougars picked up the pace in the final five weeks of the regular season. They took three out of the last five before defeating Trinity Christian in the first round of the GIAA-AA state playoffs.

The first round victory avenged Piedmont Academy’s week one defeat to the Knights.

The Cougars ultimately fell in the second round to the Central Fellowship Christian Academy.

One question mark for the Cougars heading into August is the quarterback position.

Satterfield and the rest of the coaching staff will look to replace former starter and First Team All-State selection Justin Reynolds, who went on to play for Shorter University following his senior season.

With the task of developing a new gunslinger, the coaches are looking to their experienced offensive line to assist in the transition. They hope the line will help make it easier to make plays from a clean pocket.

“Up front, we have some guys that have been there before, so we have been focusing on getting a quarterback ready and preparing our backs,” Satterfield said.

With the loss of Reynolds and with the quarterback spot still up for grabs, Satterfield expects the team to rely on the run game more in 2023. That will be a new tendency for the Cougars, who have made a habit of beating teams through the air.

The man who will be leading the backfield is junior Mason Tumlin, who is expected to have a big season for the Cougars as the workhorse back in the offense. Tumlin spoke to the success the team had last season and how they will plan to carry it over into the new year.

“We came together as a family more near the end of the season. We pushed each other and worked together and found our mistakes and communicated better,” Tumlin said. “We were able to grab those wins last year and hopefully we will be able to get even more this year.”

The defensive side of the ball is promising for the Cougars coaching staff. They have spoken about the players returning on defense and how the depth as a whole is better going into the new season.

Coming off a year with multiple close losses early in the year, Satterfield believes the team learned a lot from those losses. They look to turn those one-score losses into wins in 2023.

“Prior to [the second half of the year], we imploded on some of our losses when we dominated the game but lost in the final score,” Satterfield said. As the year progressed, we started to learn those closer games and that taught us some lessons moving into this year.”

GARRETT PITTS

Yellow Jackets set for TURN AROUND year

B. HUBBARD

Aseason ago, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets had every reason to fold and give up on their year.

The Yellow Jackets came out of the gate 1-3, Geoff Collins was fired as head coach and offensive line coach Brent Key was named the interim.

Georgia Tech persevered.

It finished off the 2022 season 4-4 with two top-25 wins at then-No. 24 Pittsburgh — the same week all the coaching changes were made — and at then-No. 13 North Carolina.

At season’s end, Key was officially made the program’s 21st head coach ever on Nov. 29, 2022. Key was an offensive lineman for the Yellow Jackets from 1997-2000. Before his promotion, Key was an assistant head coach under his predecessor and oversaw the offensive line group.

One of the biggest question marks heading into the year surrounds the starting quarterback spot.

Zach Gibson, Zach Pyron and Texas A&M transfer Haynes King have been mainly featured throughout the offseason. No starting signal caller has been set yet for Georgia Tech and all three saw significant time in the program’s spring game.

Co-offensive coordinator Chris Weinke and offensive coordinator

Buster Faulkner have overseen the competition in addition to Key.

No matter who the starting gunslinger turns out to be, they’ll have a plethora of options.

In the backfield, Dontae Smith seems to be the leading contributor. Malik Rutherford heads up the wide receiver corp while Luke Benson is expected to be the No. 1 tight end.

On defense, the Yellow Jackets remain under the direction of coordinator Andrew Thacker.

Zeek Biggers returns as the main defensive lineman. In the secondary, Jaylon King and LaMiles Brooks are the top two guys.

All of these contributors will help lead Georgia Tech through another hefty schedule.

The Yellow Jackets kick off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against Louisville as part of the Aflac Kickoff game. Then they will travel to places like Ole Miss, Miami and Clemson. That’s not to mention Georgia Tech facing opponents like arch rival Georgia at home, either.

Nevertheless, Key and the Yellow Jackets have their sights set on a bowl game return, which would be the first since 2018. They’ll look to new faces to accomplish that goal in 2023.

PHILLIP

Meet the Team Behind the Team

Physicians: Dr. Kate Heinlein, Dr. Matt Mathew Athletic Trainers: Ty Imler, ATC, Alcovy; Bryan Kato, ATC, Newton; Harold Lollar, ATC, Eastside

WE MAKE FITNESS FIT FOR EVERYONE !

Georgia looking to REWRITE HISTORY in CFP era

DJ MOORE

The Georgia Bulldogs are now just weeks away from defending their back-to-back national championship. The last time Bulldogs fans saw their favorite team play was on Jan. 9, 2023 as they defeated the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs 65-7 in Los Angeles.

Quarterback Stetson Bennett IV led the Bulldogs completing 68.2 percent of his passes with six passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in both games combined. Bennett was the 128th pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

But the new expected sheriff in town will be Jacksonville native, junior Carson Beck. Beck ap -

peared in seven games last year and he completed 74.2 percent of his passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.

The Bulldogs offense will be under new leadership as Mike Bobo was named the offensive coordinator after the departure of Todd Monken. This isn’t the first time Bobo has been the offensive play caller. He was the coordinator under former Georgia head coach Mark Richt for seven seasons (2007-2014).

Head coach Kirby Smart had to replace a coordinator before. He lost his former defensive coordinator, Dan Lanning, to the Oregon Ducks after the Bulldogs defeated

Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide for their first title.

Smart is now entering his eighth season at the helm of the Bulldogs with a record of 81-15, two national titles, two southeastern conferences (SEC) titles and five SEC eastern division titles. Smart has had 25 of his players drafted in the last two seasons with Jalen Carter being his most notable draftee this year.

Smart and the Bulldogs will return 13 starters — six offensively and seven defensively.

Junior Brock Bowers led the team in receiving yards in the last two seasons and he’ll be back as tight end. And on the defensive side, the most notable Bulldog returning will be Javon Bullard as he was named the defensive most valuable player in both College Football Playoff games last season.

The Bulldogs will open up their season against UT-Martin on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. “Between the Hedges.”