Football in Hall 2021 by The Times

NESVILLE

STATEE

CHESTATEE

FLOWERY BRANCH

CHEROKEE BLUFF

EAST HALL

JOHNSON

LANIER CHRISTIAN

FOOTBALL IN HALL NEW YEAR NEW TURF PAGE 5

PLUS SEASON PREVIEWS FOR 11 SCHOOLS IN HALL A publication of Metro Market Media and

GAINESVILLE

NORTH HALL

WEST HALL

RIVERSIDE

LAKEVIEW

LANIER CHRISTIAN

CHEROKEE

stay in the game Black & Blue Clinic l Walk-in Treatment for Athletes

Norman Baggs

Bill Murphy

Leah Nelson

General Manager

Sports Editor

Director of Revenue

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

CONTENTS Master Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Cover story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Cherokee Bluff . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Chestatee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 East Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Flowery Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Gainesville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Lakeview Academy . . . . . . . . . . 19 Lanier Christian . . . . . . . . . . . 21 North Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Riverside Military Academy . . . . .26 West Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Metro Market Media Inc.

Wishes All Our Football Teams The Best of Luck This Season

1364 Candler Rd, Gainesville, GA 30507 770-536-4731

MASTER SCHEDULE Date:

Aug. 20

Aug. 27

at Johnson

CHESTATEE

EAST FORSYTH

Off

vs. LakesideAtlanta

OFF

at Cherokee Bluff

UNION COUNTY

WEST HALL

Off

WEST HALL

at Franklin County

at Johnson

FLOWERY BRANCH

at St. Pius X

DAWSON COUNTY

at Gainesville

GAINESVILLE

JOHNS CREEK (5:30 p.m.)

at Chattahoochee

JOHNSON

CHEROKEE BLUFF

Off

LAKEVIEW

at Mount Paran

at Darlington

LANIER CHRISTIAN

COVINGTON

CHEROKEE BLUFF

CHESTATEE

EAST HALL

Sept. 3

Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1

Oct. 8

Oct. 15

Oct. 22

Oct. 29

Nov. 5

at Gilmer

WEST HALL

Off

LUMPKIN COUNTY

DAWSON COUNTY

at North Hall

at White County

at North Hall

Off

NORTH OCONEE

EAST HALL

at Madison County

JEFFERSON

at Flowery Branch

at Cedar Shoals (Nov. 4)

EAST JACKSON

at Cedar Shoals

JEFFERSON

at Chestatee

NORTH OCONEE

Off

MADISON COUNTY

at Flowery Branch

Off

HIRAM

at Jefferson

Off

at North Oconee

CEDAR SHOALS

at Madison County

CHESTATEE

EAST HALL

FLOWERY BRANCH

Off

FORSYTH CENTRAL

at Hillgrove

at Lambert

Off

SOUTH FORSYTH

at West Forsyth

DENMARK

at North Forsyth

at West Hall

EAST HALL

at Eastside

LOGANVILLE

at Walnut Grove

JACKSON COUNTY

at Apalacee

at Greenbrier

CLARKE CENTRAL

Off

FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN

at King’s Ridge Christian

at Mount Pisgah

Off

at St. Francis

at Peoples Baptist

Off

at Dawson County

Off

RABUN GAP

at Walker

at Towns County

at King’s Way Christian

Off

at Holy Spirit Prep

JOHNSON FERRY

PRAISE ACADEMY

at Victory Baptist

HORIZON

NORTH HALL

at Paulding County

STEPHENS COUNTY

at Hart County

Off

CHESTATEE

at West Hall

WHITE COUNTY

at Lumpkin County

GILMER

Off

CHEROKEE BLUFF

RIVERSIDE

NOTRE DAME ACADEMY

St. ANNEPACELLI

vs. Druid Hills

GEORGIA MILITARY

EAST FORSYTH

TOOMBS COUNTY

UNION COUNTY

at Rabun County

Off

BANKS COUNTY

at Elbert County

WEST HALL

at East Jackson

at East Hall

JOHNSON

at Chestatee

Off

NORTH HALL

at Cherokee Bluff

WHITE COUNTY

at Dawson County

at Gilmer

Off

4 | Football in Hall | 2021

Off

at Providence

Off

LUMPKIN COUNTY

New turf Synthetic playing surfaces

make debut at Hall schools BILL MURPHY | The Times

Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium has a new synthetic playing surface at Johnson High School.

BY BILL MURPHY

bmurphy@gainesvilletimes.com Friday Nights will look a lot different at about half of Hall County’s football stadiums this fall. Simply put: playing on grass might soon be a thing of the past. New synthetic playing surfaces, funded by sales taxes and bond referendums approved by Hall County voters, are on track for completion by the start of the 2021 season at five Hall County schools: Cherokee Bluff, Chestatee, East Hall, Johnson and West Hall. “It’s gonna be a great new field, new atmosphere. I can’t wait for the season to get here,” Cherokee Bluff senior Sam Stribling said at The Times Sports Media Day. “I’m ready to play on the turf. The way you can move on the turf compared to the grass — I can’t wait,” West Hall senior defensive back Jaden White added. Hall County Schools Athletics Director Stan Lewis said this is part of a 10-year facilities plan for the district. Stadiums with some years on them, like West Hall and Chestatee, have received a fresh coat of paint, too. The five latest Hall schools to receive an artificial playing surface join North Hall, whose synthetic field

came by way of private funding a few years ago at Lynn Cottrell Stadium. Flowery Branch will receive the new synthetic playing surface in 2022. That will leave Gainesville High, which plays at the immaculately kept City Park Stadium, and the three private schools in Hall as the last playing on real grass. While some people prefer the game being played on natural grass, the synthetic surface is the way of the future with its many benefits for durability and handling adverse weather conditions without interruption. And the upkeep is minimal, despite heavy traffic from a broad spectrum of uses for sports and activities over the course of a calendar school year. In addition to stadiums being used by football and soccer, there’s also band, physical education classes and junior football programs. “The synthetic turf holds up against all of that traffic for much longer, stays in great shape and looks fantastic,” Lewis said. “We are able to provide more access to our students and not worry about having a problematic playing surface toward the end of the year. The synthetic turf also drains really well, providing us with a viable playing surface during and after wet weather.”

Lewis said the price for the new playing surfaces ranged from $800,000 to $1 million, depending on the school. At Chestatee, for example, the upgrades also include a new eight-lane track around the playing field, while other schools will have a six-lane set up. By late July, Johnson High’s Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium was nearly ready for opening day, as far as the field goes. Work was still active at the time on renovations to the bleachers, concessions and restrooms. The playing field will make for some happy Knights. The synthetic grass is meticulously set in place and seemingly has no flaws. At midfield, a massive Knights logo sets the stadium apart. Small rubber granules fill the space underneath the surface, providing adequate cushioning to the ground. Lewis said it’s a product from Field Turf called Cool Play, an engineered surfacing that keeps the temperature at a reasonable level. And, certainly, a synthetic surface means no more divots from constant wear and tear from athletes wearing cleats. At least some players have said they are happy about the improved field. Fans may like the added aesthetics it brings to the games.

2021 | Football in Hall | 5

CHEROKEE BLUFF BEARS

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

The Cherokee Bluff Bears practice July 22 for the upcoming football season.

Bears looking to repeat success in Region 7-3A BY NATHAN BERG For The Times

Cherokee Bluff put together its first winning season and region championship in program history in 2020, rattling off nine straight wins to start the year and even earning the school’s first-ever playoff win against LaFayette in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs. Now, the Bears and coach Tommy Jones hope to find similar success this year. Jones said he has been trying to draw the focus away from last season’s success, encouraging the players to keep their eyes forward, and so far he’s been pleased with offseason results. “I’m really proud of the work ethic, the attitude, of our young men,” Jones said. “And I’m just excited to see them on the field and perform.”

6 | Football in Hall | 2021

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH New generation of Bears

As the newest school in Hall County, Cherokee Bluff had been manned primarily with younger players until a season ago, when the team had around 20 senior players. But with all those athletes graduated, this year’s group is going to be a bit less experienced. With several playmakers on 2020’s team now gone on both sides of the ball, Cherokee Bluff will officially start to cycle in its first new generation of players. “So many of those seniors we had were a part of the very beginning here at Cherokee Bluff,” Jones said. “They helped lay the foundation for everything that we’ve done. So graduating that first generation of

kids, that means we’ve got a lot to improve on. In saying that, similar to what we talked about on the offense, we realize that we have our work cut out for us. At the same time, we also are excited about a group of young players that are stepping in, and we have high expectations for those guys that they’re going to play well.”

Striking while the iron is hot One familiar face on the Bears offense is quarterback Sebastian Irons, who will return after leading Cherokee Bluff to the playoffs in his first year as the team’s starting signal caller a season ago. Although Irons will be distributing the ball to a whole host of new players, his presence on the field will help to steady a team breaking in new athletes at several different positions.

“(Irons) is understanding that as a returning quarterback, that’s so much more than just what happens between the lines on the field,” Jones said. “There’s a lot of leadership intangibles that go along with that, and he’s really growing into that very nicely. It always helps to have a quarterback that is returning. It just seems to make things go much smoother.”

Jayquan Smith’s continued impact The Bears also return running back Jayquan Smith, who led the team a season ago with over 1,000 yards on the ground while averaging more than 7 yards per carry. Jones said Smith was a player who makes everyone around him want to play better, and an integral piece of the Cherokee Bluff offense. Now entering his senior season, Smith’s role is only going to expand as less experienced players get acclimated to their new roles. “(Smith) is extremely talented, and he understands that he’s going to need to carry a bigger load for us, particularly early in the season, to give time for some of these younger

players around him to develop,” Jones said.

Last vets standing Defensively, Cherokee Bluff’s linebacker and defensive back starters will be almost all be new faces. In the secondary, three of the four starters from last year’s unit, Shad Dabney, Jaylon Justice and Jamir Tolbert, have graduated. The same is true of the linebackers, with Eric Gohman, Eli Little and Garrett Davis. Because of this, the Bears will need the last returning members of each unit, Brayden Nance at linebacker and Sam Stribling at defensive back, to take on leadership roles and help the newer players learn their assignments. Both players, who have started all three years of their high school careers to this point, will be like coaches on the field for Cherokee Bluff, according to Jones.

Finding new receiving threats More than half of Cherokee Bluff’s receiving yards a season ago were split between three players: Shad Dabney, Jaylon Justice and Eric

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20 Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5

at Johnson CHESTATEE EAST FORSYTH vs. Lakeside-Atlanta at Gilmer* WEST HALL* LUMPKIN COUNTY* DAWSON COUNTY* at North Hall* at White County*

*REGION GAMES

Gohman. And all three graduated this spring. Due to the departures, Jones said several young players are going to have to step up and be playmakers for the Bears offense. Among the possible contributors are Jhace Justice, Jaylon Justice’s cousin, as well as Max Eubanks. “We’ll be receiver by committee,” Jones said. “We feel like we’ve got a number of young, talented players. We know that they have the ability to be able to step in and fill in, and we have high expectations that they will perform well.”

2021 ROSTER 1. Sam Stribling..................RB/DB..........Sr. 2. Marlion Jackson............ WR/DB..........Sr. 4. Jordan Justice............... WR/DB.......... Fr. 5. Carlos Marlow................ WR/DB.......... Jr. 6. Conner Hulsey.............. WR/OLB........ So. 8. Brayden Nance...............RB/LB...........Sr. 9. Jaylon Carroll..................RB/DB......... So. 10. Ty Corbin..................... WR/DB......... So. 11. Jhace Justice............... WR/DB.......... Jr. 12. Asher Wilson.................QB/LB.......... So. 13. Kaden Thompson..........QB/DB.......... Fr. 14. Sebastian Irons............... QB.............Sr. 15. Max Eubanks............... WR/DB.......... Jr. 16. Ryan Graves................. TE/LB.......... So. 17. Brooks Brien.................QB/DB.......... Fr. 18. Jacob Banks.................RB/DB.......... Jr. 19. Reid Silver.................... TE/LB........... Jr. 20. Logan Stanley.............. WR/LB.......... Jr. 21. Isaiah Shepherd........... WR/LB.......... Jr. 22. Hayden Biggs............... WR/DB.......... Jr. 23. Jack Hamilton............... TE/DL.......... So. 24. Nick Jackovatz............ WR/DB.......... Jr. 25. Will Walker....................RB/LB........... Jr. 26. Paul Smathers............. WR/DB.......... Jr. 27. Eric Thomas..................RB/DB......... So. 28. Jayquan Smith..............RB/LB...........Sr.

29. Colin Muyres................ WR/DB.......... Fr. 30. Logan Wynn................. WR/DB.......... Fr. 31. Landon Kemp.............. WR/DB.......... Fr. 32. Kade Tankersley........... WR/DB.......... Jr. 33. Jayman Justice............ WR/DB.......... Fr. 34. Rylan Ackerman............ TE/LB........... Fr. 35. Tre Brown.....................RB/DL........... Fr. 36. Jeremiah West............. WR/LB......... So. 37. Emanuel Allen.............. WR/LB.......... Jr. 39. Micah Hunter................RB/DB..........Sr. 40. Evan Gonzales..............RB/LB........... Jr. 41. Josh Alvarado.............. WR/DB.......... Fr. 42. Canaan Donnelly........... TE/LB........... Fr. 43. Isaiah Martin................ WR/DB..........Sr. 44. Connor Griffin...............RB/LB........... Fr. 45. Santiago Mendez.......... TE/DL........... Jr. 46. Jacob Kelly...................RB/LB........... Fr. 47. Caleb Cooper................RB/LB........... Fr. 48. TJ Lothridge................. WR/DB......... So. 49. Pierce Wesley.............. WR/DB.......... Fr. 50. Keller Atkinson............. WR/DB..........Sr. 51. Parker Waldrop.............OL/DL.......... So. 52. Carter Daum.................OL/LB........... Jr. 54. Cody Critchfield............OL/DL...........Sr. 55. Mateo Guevara.............OL/DL...........Sr. 56. Noah Davis...................OL/DL.......... So.

57. Will Hansen...................OL/LB.......... So. 59. Dylan Roberts...............OL/DL...........Sr. 60. Jackson Kohler.............OL/DL...........Sr. 61. Chandler Linn...............OL/LB........... Fr. 62. Nathan Richardson.......OL/DL.......... So. 64. Cason Moore................OL/DL...........Sr. 65. Hunter Henson..............OL/DL........... Fr. 66. Ben Craig......................OL/DL........... Fr. 72. Austin Essex.................OL/LB.......... So. 73. Aiden Willis...................OL/DL........... Fr. 74. Trenton Bennefield........OL/DL........... Fr. 75. Jacob Benjamin............OL/DL........... Jr. 76, Ricky Lush....................OL/DL...........Sr. 77. Dax Mayfield.................OL/DL........... Fr. 78. Pedro Artega.................OL/DL...........Sr. 80. Steele Smith................ WR/DB......... So. 81. Joshua Shires.............. WR/DB......... So. 82. AJ Schultz.................... WR/DB......... So. 84. Michael Arbour..................K............. So. 85. Dee Thornton............... WR/DB.......... Jr. 87. Caleb Williford............... TE/DL.......... So. 88. Xavier Diaz..................... K/P............. Jr. 89. Nathan Miller............... WR/DB......... So. 90. Dylan McDowell............RB/DL........... Fr. 99. Colby Harrison..............RB/DB..........Sr.

2021 | Football in Hall | 7

CHESTATEE WAR EAGLES

BILL MURPHY | The Times

Chestatee High players go through drills at the school’s practice field in Gainesville.

Chestatee has mentality to turn things around BY ROBERT ALFONSO JR.

ralfonso@gainesvilletimes.com Head coach Shaun Conley is starting to see some exciting changes with Chestatee High’s football team. In his sixth season, the War Eagles’ coach is seeing the kids are buying into the program. He said players were not always into the culture of being a responsible and attentive member of the Chestatee football program. “They are doing the right things right now,” Conley said. “We don’t have those issues right now. They are working hard. They have brought in. The culture has changed for the

8 | Football in Hall | 2021

good.” This was evidenced at the end of the last season. Chestatee was on its way to a winless season, but the players’ energy was joyful and energetic. They did not let a global pandemic nor a tough season damper their enthusiasm. That energy has persisted. “It has been awesome,” Conley said. “If there is anything we did learn, it’s that we can ask too much of these kids in the summer. Last year forced us to back off a lot. This spring has been really nice. We had a really young team last year and it hurt us.” Last season was especially difficult

when senior starting quarterback Christian Charles, who now plays defensive back at the University of Tennessee, went down with a season-ending injury in Week 1.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH Just the culture

Whenever a team experiences a tough season, things can really fall apart. Players can stop believing in themselves and just go through the motions just to get to the season’s end. Conley saw something different in his team. During Chestatee’s final practice of the 2020 season, his War

Eagles were still practicing as if they were pursuing an undefeated season. “There would have been no way they would be able to tell (we were winless). This is the top one for us. Chestatee is focused on getting better every day.

Mental focus The War Eagles got better as a team, in Conley’s eyes. Chestatee players made improvements throughout the last season, even with the loss of the three-year starter Charles at quarterback. While most teams may have folded losing a Power 5 player, Conley had to make adjustments to having new quarterback, Luke Bornhorst, who will again start in 2021. Chestatee’s players just kept working on every snap. The seniors in this program have played either the state runner-up or state champion on their schedule the last three years. The team’s focus is to take one game at a time.

Settled quarterback in place Now a senior, Bornhorst (1,111 passing yards in 2020) is comfortable as the starting quarterback. He was forced into the position early last year. Last season, Bornhorst was having to learn on the fly when Charles exited the first game of the season against West Hall and soon after opted to go ahead and have season-

ending shoulder surgery. With a year under his best, Bornhorst is much more comfortable under center. Conley said that Bornhorst showed signs of improvement every game last season. This summer, he has attended several camps to improve his skills to take over the War Eagles position.

Always competing Conley is seeing the players buying in and being more focused. Now, he wants to always make sure his players are competing and getting better at what they’re doing. The schedule doesn’t get any easier in 2021 for Chestatee, playing in the same Region 8-4A with a bona fide state-title contender Jefferson and a deep Flowery Branch squad.

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 4

at Cherokee Bluff UNION COUNTY WEST HALL at North Hall NORTH OCONEE* EAST HALL* at Madison County* JEFFERSON* at Flowery Branch* at Cedar Shoals* *REGION GAMES

Experienced veterans The War Eagles have players with game experience on both ends of the field. There are eight returning players on offense and nine returning on defense. Pacing the defense is the return of senior Drew Knickel, who had a team-high 66 stops in 2020. The game experience and the depth will help some this season. There has also been some adjustments to player responsibilities and expectations. Conley also made some changes to the coaching personnel to better help the program.

BILL MURPHY | The Times

Chestatee quarterback Luke Bornhorst throws during a practice.

2021 ROSTER 1. Christian Vargas................................. So. 2. Luke Bornhorst...................................Sr. 3. Hunter Fouche....................................Sr. 4. Matt Hale............................................ Fr. 5. Landon Johnson................................. Fr. 6. Sazo Dollyhigh................................... So. 7. Christian Jarrard................................. Jr. 8. Josh Kermode..................................... Fr. 9. Adriel Vargas....................................... Jr. 10. Hayden Gowin...................................Sr. 11. Wyatt Goode.....................................Sr. 12. Drew Knickel....................................Sr. 13. Eli Raines......................................... So. 14. Elijah Pruitt....................................... Jr. 15. Cayden Goss..................................... Fr. 16. Isaac Jones.......................................Sr. 17. Beau Edwards.................................. So. 18. Hunter Dickson................................ So. 19. David Diaz........................................ Jr.

20. Cameron Davidenko.......................... Fr. 21. Edwin Rodrigues.............................. So. 22. Bryan Siglera.................................... Fr. 23. Gadiel Sanchez................................. Fr. 24. Jason Granados............................... So. 25. Hector Espinoza................................ Fr. 26. Mattox Miller.....................................Sr. 27. Isaiah Gilez....................................... Fr. 28. Cole Davidenko.................................Sr. 29. Braeden Bennett............................... Jr. 31. Gage Allison...................................... Fr. 32. Clynton Brookshire............................Sr. 35. Gavin Camp......................................Sr. 42. Ethan Clark....................................... Jr. 45. Cooper Barrett..................................Sr. 52. Deacon Wilson.................................. Fr. 54. Gavin McManus............................... So. 55. Martin Geronimo...............................Sr. 56. Owen Baker......................................Sr.

57. Harrison Mitchell...............................Sr. 58. Walker Whitmire................................Sr. 59. Hayden Britton..................................Sr. 60. Bryant Barnes.................................. So. 61. Alex Zamora......................................Sr. 62. Justus Robinson............................... Fr. 63. Gabriel Mejia..................................... Fr. 65. Bryan Cantrell...................................Sr. 66. Ulisses Arellano................................. Fr. 67. Luis Jordan....................................... Jr. 68. Austin Seafort................................... Fr. 71. Ankin Rowland..................................Sr. 72. Alex Contreras................................. So. 74. Brenden Carlson............................... Fr. 76. Levi Stowers.....................................Sr. 77. Anakin Rowland................................Sr. 78. Christopher Hammond...................... Jr. 79. Nathaniel Brazier............................. So. 84. Charlie Bradshaw.............................. Fr.

2021 | Football in Hall | 9

EAST HALL VIKINGS

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

East Hall football players work out Monday, July 19, at the school’s practice field.

Vikings leaning on veteran QB with new coach BY NATHAN BERG For The Times

A new season brings a new head football coach to East Hall. Matt Turner, a former Viking himself, both as a player and coach, returns to the program looking to provide some stability as East Hall aims to rebound from three consecutive losing seasons. The Vikings will put a mix of veterans and newcomers on the field, with Clete Cooper bringing a veteran presence to the quarterback room despite several question marks at other key positions. “Our kids have been outstanding,” Turner said. “They’re working really,

10 | Football in Hall | 2021

really hard. We’re pushing them, and we’re promoting a message of togetherness, because that’s what we believe will be successful for us, is everybody pulling in the same direction, playing together as a team. It’s a lot bigger than one individual, and that’s the message we’ve been preaching to our kids. We’re trying to get our kids to believe that they can be successful.”

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH Building consistency

East Hall is now onto its third head coach in the last four years, but Turner said one of his main focuses this

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 29 Nov. 5

WEST HALL at Franklin County at Johnson EAST JACKSON at Cedar Shoals* JEFFERSON* at Chestatee* NORTH OCONEEE* MADISON COUNTY* at Flowery Branch*

*REGION GAMES

2021 ROSTER 1. Khalil Jackson.................RB/LB........... Jr. 2. Darius Holcomb............. WR/DB..........Sr. 3. Quaran Jackson............. WR/LB......... So. 5. Clete Cooper...................QB/DB..........Sr. 6. Peyton Llewallyn.............QB/DB.......... Fr. 7. Justin Gilbert................. WR/DB..........Sr. 8. Marcus Holmberg...........RB/DL...........Sr. 9. Cody Lee....................... WR/DB..........Sr. 10. Alex Stoudenmire......... WR/LB.......... Jr. 11. Temaeris Morrison....... WR/DB.......... Jr. 12. Caden Daniels.............. WR/DB.......... Fr. 13. Jayden Hernandez......WR/LB/K........ So. 14. Tyler Parker.................. WR/DB.......... Fr. 15. Gibson Thompson........ WR/DB..........Sr. 16. Parker Worley.............. WR/DB.......... Fr. 17. Kaleb Reeves............... WR/LB......... So. 18. Tyrone Buffington..........RB/DB.......... Fr. 20. Josh Martinez.............. WR/LB......... So. season is ensuring that turnover cycle stops with his tenure. “There’s just been a serious lack of stability in the program,” he said. “Nothing’s ever really been consistent for them very long. So, I think, just trying to teach them and get them to believe in what we’re doing, and just be consistent with it moving forward.” Turner added that it can be difficult to get the players to buy in to a new coach’s philosophy. “They’ve heard a lot of different narratives from a lot of different people,” he said. “So it’s trying to get them to buy in to our view and see the way we see it, and just trying to be as consistent with them as we can.”

Super Cooper Turner’s job will be made a bit easier by the presence of veteran quarterback Cooper, who has started for the Vikings for the last two seasons and will reprise the role as a senior. Turner said Cooper has all the physical tools he typically looks for in a quarterback and already has some familiarity with the new Vikings offense, as it’s similar to the spread offense East Hall has run the past two years. This season, Turner said he’s been challenging Cooper to be the vocal leader of the team. “That’s what we’ve been talking to him about is whether he sees himself in that role or not — he’s the leader,” Turner said. “He’s going to be the catalyst out there on the field. He’s our general. And we go as he goes.”

12 | Football in Hall | 2021

21. TJ Blackwell................ WR/DB......... So. 22. Levi Howard................. WR/LB..........Sr. 23. Isaiah McClary..............OL/LB........... Jr. 24. Brinson Burkhalter....... WR/LB......... So. 25. Treshun Moss.............. WR/DB......... So. 26. Alex Torres....................RB/LB........... Fr. 27. Marco Ramirez.............RB/LB.......... So. 28. Jacob Christian............ WR/DB.......... Fr. 29. Cason Cash.................. WR/LB......... So. 30. Andy Navarrete............ WR/DB......... So. 32. Amir Barnett.................RB/LB........... Fr. 33. Daniel Murillo............... WR/LB......... So. 34. Caden Crocker............. WR/LB.......... Fr. 41. Demarium Tatum..........RB/LB.......... So. 50. Jake Jones...................OL/DL.......... So. 51. Caleb Pruitt...................OL/DL........... Jr. 52. Brady Barton.................OL/DL........... Fr. 53. Caden Ortiz...................OL/DL........... Fr.

54. Jayden Mahaffey..........OL/DL.......... So. 55. Houston Swartz.............OL/DL........... Fr. 58. Isaiah McClary..............OL/LB........... Jr. 59. Jake Evans...................OL/LB........... Jr. 60. Yael Solis......................OL/DL.......... So. 62. Connor Tompkins..........OL/DL...........Sr. 64. Jacob Hernandez..........OL/DL.......... So. 66. Javian McDuffie............OL/DL........... Fr. 68. Bryson Free..................OL/DL........... Fr. 69. Nathan Hogan...............OL/DL........... Fr. 70. Cooper Williamson........OL/DL...........Sr. 71. Colton Pruitt..................OL/DL........... Fr. 72. Kyle Mason...................OL/DL.......... So. 75. Azyon Morrison.............OL/DL........... Fr. 76. Joshua Jaramillo...........OL/DL........... Fr. 77. Dovanny Jaramillo........OL/DL.......... So. 78. Delsin Grindle...............OL/DL.......... So. 79. Jason Dailing................OL/DL........... Jr.

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

East Hall football players work out Monday, July 19, at the school’s practice field.

Slot machine East Hall loses a large portion of its receiving production with the graduation of Montavious Tabor, who led the team with 50 receptions and nearly 1,000 yards a year ago, and the Vikings are lacking in veteran players to take over that outside receiving role. In the slot, however, seniors Darius Holcomb and Levi Howard provide stability in an otherwise inexperienced receiving corps. Turner said he believes those two players will support Cooper in stressful situations. “Our slot guys are both seniors, and both have played a lot of football as well,” Turner said. “So we feel pretty good there.”

Stopping the run Defensively, Turner said the team was going to put an emphasis on slowing down opposing teams’ rushing attacks, referring to run stopping as

“the backbone to any good defense.” He added that the majority of the team’s defensive experience comes from front seven players such as Howard, who will be playing linebacker in addition to wide receiver, and fellow senior Marcus Holmberg who will anchor the defensive line. “Our identity, defensively, is you’ve got to stop the run,” Turner said. “You’ve got to stop the run.”

Secondary learning on the job For all the returning experience the Vikings will have in the front seven, the secondary will be manned by younger players, forming a unit that Turner referred to as “a work in progress.” With most defensive back spots still up for competition, Turner said the group is going to experience some “growing pains” as he looks to find the right combination of players and works to develop them as the season goes on.

FLOWERY BRANCH FALCONS

BILL MURPHY | The Times

Flowery Branch players go through practice drills on July 12 in Flowery Branch.

Falcons have talent to contend in Region 8-4A BY NATHAN BERG For The Times

Flowery Branch has been one of the most consistent teams in the area of late, winning at least eight games in three of the last four seasons and making it to the state tournament all four years. Now, in quarterback David Renard’s senior year, the Falcons are looking to get over the hump of winning a state championship. Defensively, Flowery Branch will return nine players with extensive starting experience, and coach Ben Hall said he’s hoping this season’s balanced, veteran squad has what it takes to make a deep playoff push. “Every team changes every year,”

he said. “But I think this year we’re going to be more experienced, on defense especially.”

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH No fly zone

Flowery Branch’s most veteran unit this season will be the secondary, where the Falcons return all four starters in Tre Augustine and Jaheim Hayes at cornerback and Nick Linkowski and Jacob Costello at safety. All four players are seniors, and have the football acumen to let Hall get creative with coverages. “Those guys, being as experienced as they are, we’ll ask them to do a little more,” he said. “Mix up some

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20 Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5

at St. Pius X DAWSON COUNTY at Gainesville HIRAM at Jefferson* at North Oconee* CEDAR SHOALS* at Madison County CHESTATEE* EAST HALL*

*REGION GAMES

2021 | Football in Hall | 13

2021 ROSTER 1. Jaheim Hayes................ WR/DB..........Sr. 2. Seth Larson................... WR/DB......... So. 3. Jacob Costello............... WR/DB..........Sr. 4. Tre Augustine................. WR/DB..........Sr. 5. Malik Dryden..................RB/LB.......... So. 6. Hunter Craig.................. WR/DB..........Sr. 7. Myles Ivey.......................RB/DB.......... Jr. 8. Cameron Campbell........ WR/DB......... So. 9. Cam Haynes...................RB/LB.......... So. 11. Brendan Corry...............QB/DB......... So. 12. David Renard.................. QB.............Sr. 14, Caden Pelham.............. WR/DB.......... Jr. 15. Joelan Brown................QB/DB.......... Fr. 16. Gio Miele......................QB/DB.......... Fr. 17. Josh Oliver....................QB/DB......... So. 18. Brody Jordan................QB/DB.......... Jr. 19. Franky Perez.................RB/LB.......... So. 20. Drake Smitherman....... WR/DB.......... Jr. 21. Jalen Augustin............. WR/DB......... So. 22. Jacob Parker.................RB/LB.......... So. 23. Jon Willis..................... WR/DB......... So. 24. Zion Buffington............ WR/DB.......... Fr. 25. Nick Linkowski............ WR/DB..........Sr. 26. Craig Stephens.............RB/LB........... Fr. 27. Jordan Elder................... DB............ So. 28. Christian Mendoza........RB/LB........... Jr. 29. Xander Renne............... TE/LB........... Fr.

30. Ethan Fetterman........... TE/DE.......... So. 32. Ty Akins....................... WR/DB......... So. 33. Destin Matthews.......... WR/DB.......... Fr. 34. Jeremiah Ware..............RB/LB........... Fr. 35. Hunter Adams............... TE/LB........... Jr. 36. Tanner Renard.............. TE/LB........... Fr. 37. Jonathan Lanza........... WR/DB......... So. 38. Braeden Hoffman......... WR/DB......... So. 39. Hayden Adams............. WR/DB.......... Fr. 40. Sam Westbrook............. TE/DE...........Sr. 41. Ian Bergoschjte.............RB/LB...........Sr. 44. Yolando Barrett............. TE/DL........... Jr. 45. Chandler Mayfield......... TE/DL...........Sr. 46. Kadin Inman.................RB/DE...........Sr. 47. Jonah Clark.................. TE/LB........... Fr. 49. Brandon Shiloh................DL............. Jr. 50. Joshua Pacheco............OL/LB........... Fr. 51. Austin Buffington..........OL/DL........... Fr. 52. Tony Mejia....................OL/DL........... Fr. 53. Garrett Harper...............OL/DL.......... So. 54. Dylan Setzer.................OL/DL........... Jr. 55. Eric Garner....................OL/DL........... Jr. 56. Drew Costello...............OL/DL........... Jr. 57. Gavin Roberts...............OL/DL...........Sr. 58. Brice Deitz....................OL/DL........... Jr. 59. Shaun Shockley............OL/DL........... Jr. 60. Alfredo Rubio-Suarez....OL/DL.......... So.

61. Jonathan Garrison.........OL/DL...........Sr. 64. Vincent Kilroy................OL/DL.......... So. 65. Max Scott.....................OL/DL........... Fr. 68. Joshua Pacheco............OL/DL........... Fr. 69. Brandon Burtchaell.......OL/DL.......... So. 71. Nate Schamer...............OL/DL........... Jr. 72. Nathan Turner...............OL/DL........... Jr. 74. Kade Sanchez...............OL/DL........... Fr. 75. Daniel Serrano..............OL/DL........... Fr. 79. Luke Puckett.................OL/DL........... Jr. 80. Jonathan Lanza........... WR/DB......... So. 81. Gumer Callejas............ WR/DB.......... Jr. 82. Elijah Hayes................. WR/DB.......... Fr. 83. Ricky Bailey................. WR/DB......... So. 84. Aaron Long.................. WR/DB......... So. 85. Dylan Lee........................DE............ So. 86. Joey Francia................ WR/DB.......... Jr. 87. Joshua Morales........... WR/DB.......... Fr. 88. Jaylen Ferguson........... WR/DB......... So. 89. Clark City..................... WR/DB.......... Fr. 90. Marco Velasquez..............PK............. Jr. 91. Ethan Czaykowsky........ TE/DL...........Sr. 92. Benjamin Brookshire........DL............. Jr. 93. Kelvin Lamptey-Mills.......PK.............Sr. 94. Eamon McDaniel..............PK.............Sr. 95. Matthew Yantz.............. TE/DE........... Fr. 99. Micah Adams................ TE/DL...........Sr.

man coverage to go along with our various zone coverages. It just allows us to do more as far as secondary and the coverages.” Hall said the veteran presence that group provides will make things easier for a younger front seven that will have to do a bit more learning on the job. “When you have an experienced secondary, you can mix and match coverages to go along with what you do underneath them,” he said. “The more you can do, the more it helps the first and second level, the defensive line and the linebackers.”

“We have four guys there, but we’re still looking for the one just to own the position,” Hall said. They are having to replace Baxley O’Brien who has moved to Rabun County for his senior season.

then-senior wide receiver Connor Larson, who accounted for more than a third of Renard’s passing yards a year ago and was the only wide receiver on the team to go over 500 yards receiving. With the elder Larson moving on, his younger brother Seth Larson, a national champion wrestler, is a player who Hall said “has really come on” and could be one of the Falcons busiest receivers on Fridays this year. In addition, Jaheim Hayes, a longtime starter for Flowery Branch at cornerback, will be playing both ways and shouldering some of the receiving load.

Tight competition at tight end Hall said the most heated competition on the Flowery Branch roster right now is at tight end, where four players are all vying for play time. Junior John David Peacock is currently the front runner to get most of the starter snaps, per Hall, but Ethan Fetterman, Hunter Adams and Sam Westbrook will all also be in the mix. The Falcons are “as deep as we’ve ever been at tight end” according to Hall, so the team will implement two tight end sets frequently throughout the year, but the Flowery Branch coach said he’s still hoping one player will separate himself from the bunch.

14 | Football in Hall | 2021

Renard’s last ride Flowery Branch senior quarterback Renard has started at the position since he was a sophomore, and Hall said the two years of starting experience have turned him into “kind of a coach on the field.” Renard initially took over two seasons ago when then starting quarterback Elijah Gainey suffered a preseason injury, and has provided stability for the Falcons at the position ever since. “There’s just a natural confidence that comes along with having an experienced quarterback, and our team believes in him,” Hall said. “He’s a great kid, and he’s a true pleasure to coach. He’s a very intelligent kid. He helps get the kids in the right position, and he understands our personnel, and it’s fun to watch.”

New look receiving corps Flowery Branch got most of its receiving production last season from

Just for kicks One of Flowery Branch’s biggest departures from last season is kicker Maddox Trujillo, who will be kicking for Austin Peay this season after holding down the placekicking spot for the Falcons for the last couple of seasons. Trujillo will be replaced by junior Marco Velazquez, who started for the Flowery Branch junior varsity team a year ago. “Marco is a talented kid with a strong leg,” Hall said. “We’re excited about seeing what he can do for us as a placekicker.”

GAINESVILLE RED ELEPHANTS

BILL MURPHY | The Times

Gainesville High goes through football practice July 14 at the Bruce Miller Field in Gainesville.

Big Red is ready for rigorous 6-7A schedule BY NATHAN BERG

sports@gainesvilletimes.com If there’s one word that describes the Gainesville football program’s transition from the 2020 season to 2021, it’s continuity. Although the Red Elephants lost several starters at key positions to graduation, including three-year starting quarterback Gionni Williams, their coach Heath Webb said time on the job has made preparation for the season smoother and easier in each year since he took over the team. “I feel really good about where we’re at, largely due to the fact that it’s year four for me and my staff,” Webb said. “I feel like the continuity, the understanding of expectations, all that sort of stuff, familiarity with the coaches and the players, I just feel like we’re in a good place as far as that’s concerned.” Gainesville has made it to the state tournament in each of Webb’s first three years with the team, and he’s hoping that this year’s revamped

squad can keep that streak alive, starting with a matchup against Johns Creek in the Corky Kell Classic to begin the season on Aug. 20 at City Park Stadium.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH Wright man for the job

Despite the departure of Williams, Gainesville will not have a hole at the quarterback position, as sophomore Baxter Wright slides into the full-time starting role, following substantial action as a freshman. Wright, who is already on the national radar as one of the top quarterback recruits for the class of 2024, has made strides in the offseason and impressed in the team’s spring game against South Gwinnett. “The progress that Baxter Wright has made from his freshman year to his sophomore year is significant,” Webb said. “So I feel like we’ll be able to open the offense up a little bit more.”

And while Wright’s physical skills have never been in question, taking on a leadership role will be new for the young signal caller who enters the year as “the guy,” according to Webb, for the first time in his high school career. It’s a challenge that the Red Elephants coach believes Wright is well equipped to handle. Wright started his career on a good note in 2020, when forced into action as a first-time starter in the Region 6-7A opener against Forsyth Central, he guided the Red Elephants to victory. “He’s taken hold of that responsibility and has done a really good job of just being the vocal leader that he needs to be,” Webb said. “I’m just excited to see him grow as a person and grow as a football player.”

Next man up at tackle Ever since Webb arrived at Gainesville and proclaimed it a “Love a lineman” program, the results have

2021 | Football in Hall | 15

2021 ROSTER 1. Sam Perry.......................RB/LB...........Sr. 2. DJ Miller........................ WR/DB..........Sr. 3. Marcere Walker.............. WR/DB..........Sr. 5. Elias Ballard................... WR/DB.......... Jr. 6. Demarrie Hayes..............RB/LB...........Sr. 7. Qua Coley....................... TE/DE...........Sr. 8. Tyvez Bledson................ DB/WR..........Sr. 9. Naim Cheeks..................RB/DB.......... Jr. 10. JQ Drinkard................. WR/DB..........Sr. 11. Baxter Wright.................. QB............ So. 12. Ellis Pitts...................... WR/DB......... So. 13. Isaiah Yarbrough.......... WR/DB..........Sr. 14. Jalani Andrews............ WR/DB.......... Jr. 15. Cash O’Callaghan.........QB/DB..........Sr. 16. Chamarion Bush.......... WR/DB..........Sr. 17. Zander Lipscomb......... WR/LB.......... Jr. 18. Ja’Quez Sims............... WR/DB.......... Jr. 19. Samaj Brown................ TE/DE........... Fr. 20. Kylan Hall..................... WR/DB.......... Fr. 21. Jayvion Sims............... WR/DB..........Sr. 22. Zyrion Harrison............ WR/DB.......... Jr. 23. Nasir Summerour......... WR/LB.......... Jr. 24. Dayshun Summerour....RB/LB...........Sr. 25. Dre Raven.................... WR/DB.......... Jr. 26. Cam Goss.................... WR/DB..........Sr. 27. Marquis Ross................RB/LB........... Jr.

28. Stacy Hopkins...............OL/LB........... Jr. 29. Trent Jones.................. WR/DB.......... Fr. 30. Zarion Harvey...............RB/DL.......... So. 31. Mori Young....................RB/DB.......... Jr. 32. Josiah Thompson..........RB/LB........... Fr. 33. Aveion Young............... WR/LB.......... Jr. 34. RJ Jenkins................... WR/DB.......... Jr. 35. Zyon Chatman............. WR/DB.......... Fr. 36. Clyde Jones................. WR/DB.......... Fr. 37. Jaylen Smithson.......... WR/DB.......... Fr. 38. Angel Benitez............... WR/LB.......... Jr. 39. Dalton Saye..................RB/LB........... Fr. 40. John Collins................. WR/DB......... So. 41. Jeremiah Glasper..........RB/LB........... Fr. 43. Bruno Cervantes...........RB/LB........... Fr. 50. Keith Motes..................OL/DL...........Sr. 51. Wil Turner.....................OL/DL........... Fr. 52. Roc-Quay Finch............OL/DL........... Fr. 53. Brandon Bailey..............OL/DL........... Fr. 55. Jamel Jones.................OL/DL.......... So. 56. Elijah Ruiz.....................OL/DL...........Sr. 57. Malik Harris..................OL/DL.......... So. 58. Christian Green.............OL/DL.......... So. 60. Carter Loyd...................OL/LB.......... So. 63. Braylon Randolph..........OL/DL........... Jr. 64. Lacorey Hutchinson......OL/DL........... Jr.

shown up on the field. The Red Elephants have had their starting left tackle leave for DivisionI programs in each of the last two years, with Jordan Williams starting 9 of 10 games at left tackle last season for Georgia Tech and Ced Nicely now a freshman at Ole Miss. During the offseason, Gainesville graduate Makius Scott, a defensive tackle, moved to Georgia Tech from South Carolina. Webb is hoping to keep that streak going with Elijah Ruiz, who will kick out to tackle after spending the last two seasons as Gainesville’s starting center. Ruiz, a senior who is listed as 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds on MaxPreps.com, was already receiving some recruiting attention, but Webb believes his position switch this year is only going to make him more sought after. “We feel like he’s a Division-I football player as well,” Webb said. “And he’s got some college opportunities already, but I feel like he’ll have those big time opportunities once everybody gets to see how he plays at tackle.”

in 2021, but at least one unit on that side of the ball will remain largely unchanged: the defensive line. Gainesville’s trio of Khaliq Maddox, Qua Coley and Jean Richemond all started last year, and all three will be seniors this season looking for their most productive years yet. Webb said he’s hoping those three players will help to lead the way for inexperienced units at the second and third level. “If those guys play the way they’re capable of playing, we won’t have to cover people very long because they can put a lot of pressure on quarterbacks,” Webb said.

Setting the tone up front

Keeping the streak alive

With six starters from 2020 now graduated, the Red Elephant defense is going to look a bit different

Gainesville has the talent to extend its current 21-year run of consecutive playoff seasons. However, it’s

16 | Football in Hall | 2021

66. Carol Brown..................OL/DL...........Sr. 67. Kane Blanchard............OL/DL.......... So. 69. Ethan McCusker............OL/DL...........Sr. 70. Noe Covarrubias...........OL/DL.......... So. 71. Alex Payne....................OL/DL........... Fr. 72. Jorge Burciaga.............OL/DL.......... So. 73. Edgar Ortega.................OL/DL........... Jr. 74. Uriel Avila Avellandeda..OL/DL.......... So. 76. Tanner Valentine............OL/DL...........Sr. 78. Erick Willock.................OL/DL........... Jr. 80. Octavian Demory......... WR/DE......... So. 81. Justin Hudson.............. WR/DB......... So. 82. Ramone Aragon........... WR/DB......... So. 84. Kaleb Watt................... WR/DB.......... Fr. 86. Jeremy Aponte-Montalvo.WR/DB...... So. 89. Julius Columbus........... TE/DE........... Fr. 90. Giovanni Martinez........... K/P.............Sr. 91. Adrian Cheek................OL/LB........... Jr. 92. TJ Putman....................OL/DL...........Sr. 93. Alfredo Ruiz.................... K/P.............Sr. 94. Jarrious Harris..............OL/DL........... Jr. 96. John White...................... K/P............ So. 97. Jean Richemond...........OL/DL...........Sr. 0. Smith McGarvey............... QB............8th

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20 Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5

JOHNS CREEK (Corky Kell Classic) at Chattahoochee FLOWERY BRANCH FORSYTH CENTRAL* at Hillgrove at Lambert* SOUTH FORSYTH* at West Forsyth* DENMARK* at North Forsyth*

*REGION GAMES

Skill-position overload Wright is going to have ample help on offense with his skill players. Junior Naim Cheeks is back after running for 555 yards in 2020. At wide receiver, the talent for the Red Elephants is almost 10 deep. JQ Drinkard will be one of the many talented targets for Wright. He topped 400 receiving yards last season.

still seeking the first playoff win under Webb. To make it into the postseason is a challenge in itself. The Red Elephants play against the six Class 7A schools in Forsyth County — all talented enough to make a run to the postseason. In 2020, Gainesville lost to the eventual region champion, West Forsyth, by seven points and the region runner-up, Denmark, by 3. The Red Elephants beat the last-place team, Lambert, by seven points. In 2021, Webb expects it to be just as close again.

JOHNSON KNIGHTS

BILL MURPHY | The Times

Johnson coach William Harrell works with a player during practice July 19 in Oakwood.

Second-year Knights coach eager for growth BY ROBERT ALFONSO

ralfonso@gainesvilletimes.com William Harrell knows a thing or two about challenges. The second-year Johnson coach has weathered many throughout his career, especially when it comes to building up young athletes through football. Despite these challenges he never wavered or flinched. His mission and focus is to always work with what was in front of him at the moment. In taking the job with the Knights in 2020, things became challenging quickly for the new football coach.

His first season, when he couldn’t even meet with players until June, resulted in an 0-9 mark. “The timing was difficult,” said Harrell of coming in during a pandemic. “Within the week of the lockdown, the previous coach left for another school. Many of the players questioned who was going to be the next coach. The impression was that the coach was going to be there for more than one year.” Harrell’s vision is to stay at Johnson for the long haul. He’s built a successful program before, taking Hephzibah to back-to-back playoff berths at the end of his stint from

2015-19. He knows the work ahead comes with trust. He has already exceeded some of it while returning for Year 2 in Oakwood. “I commend those that stayed and the coaches who hung in there,” Harrell said. “The biggest thing is getting connected with the players who were not here. I didn’t have any chance to build equity with them. I had to understand their viewpoint and vantage point.” Things will, again, be challenging or Johnson in 2021, playing in Class 5A and fielding a roster of 18 players.

2021 | Football in Hall | 17

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

2021 SCHEDULE

T is for building trust

Trust is one of the biggest focus for Harrell. There was so much movement and previous commitments the players were all in at one point. Now, Harrell is looking to build trust with the current players and those who are on the fence about playing. This is a challenge he is embracing fully. Johnson football, like many schools its size, share athletes with other sports. When Harrell arrived in 2020, he was Johnson’s third head coach in three years. “You can’t bake a cake without the ingredients,” Harrell said. “It will take a process.”

Daily consistency Building consistent habits is part of a winning culture. Consistency comes with the coaching staff. Harrell wants to be at Johnson for a long time. He knew coming in this was not just a passing-through situation. His desire is to see the football program build consistency and some winning seasons. There needs to be an increased level of continuity with the young people on the Oakwood campus. “We still have to show them we care about them,” Harrell said. “If they give football the opportunity or not.”

Getting a win Winning is contagious. So is losing. But Harrell knows getting wins at Johnson will take combining the first two things above. Completing those two tasks at the start will not guarantee wins, but it will show the program is headed in the right direction. Harrell has experienced a losing season before. He also knows what

Aug. 20 Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29

CHEROKEE BLUFF at West Hall EAST HALL at Eastside* LOGANVILLE* at Walnut Grove* JACKSON COUNTY* at Apalachee* at Greenbrier* CLARKE CENTRAL* *REGION GAMES

BILL MURPHY | The Times

Johnson’s quarterback goes through drills on July 13 in Oakwood.

it takes to get a program back in the win column. The hurdle for the Knights is being a Class 5A program with Class A participation numbers on the football field. “We’re not playing with the same cards everyone else is playing with,” Harrell said. “We’re improving from where we are every single day. We’re going to try to exhaust every possible option. We’re not going to make any excuses. We are going to face challenges and we’re not going to run away from anything.”

Who takes the lead? Whenever it comes to building a program, some of the most important pieces of any team is senior leadership. Harrell has found a set of seniors who are working hard to be the brick layers for a strong foundation in the future. He has seen how they have developed mental toughness and the daily work from a year ago. “Our guys are looking to put in 110% regardless of what is going on,” Harrell said.

Exposing student-athletes to the game Despite all the other hurdles, Johnson’s coach may have confronted in his first year, Harrell understands he needs to provide exposure to football to the masses. In the spring, nearly 40 players gave the game a try, after talking to Harrell. However, those numbers dwindled because some were not interested in football. They went on to get summer jobs and some just did not understand the football terminology. Many were overwhelmed by the 10-day spring football session. “We want to prepare them for life after high school,” Harrell said. “We are trying to build their character. We just have to continue to chop wood and continue to build.” His most satisfying moment is the when the players hold themselves accountable for how they carry themselves. “The report to the public is the wins and losses,” Harrell added. “That is not my personal report card. “My personal report is how I have influenced the players throughout my 16 years.”

2021 ROSTER 7. Michael Thurmond..........QB/DB.......... Jr. 8. Trey Jackson...................RB/LB...........Sr. 11. Jud Farmer.................. WR/DB.......... Jr. 13. Greyson Higgins............QB/DB......... So. 15. Angel Hernandez.......... WR/DB......... So. 17. Leyla Kuznicki................. K/P.............Sr.

18 | Football in Hall | 2021

27. Henry Yanez................. WR/DB......... So. 28. Linus Griffith................ WR/DB......... So. 32. Alonso Madera..............RB/LB...........Sr. 37. Tatyon Dean................. WR/DB.......... Fr. 54. Erick Alvarado...............OL/DL.......... So. 55. Mauricio Zaragoza........OL/DL........... Jr.

56. Juan Allen.....................OL/DL...........Sr. 59. Guillermo Rolases.........OL/DL.......... So. 60, Bradyn Cook.................OL/LB...........Sr. 77. Alan Gutierrez...............OL/DL...........Sr. 78. Jesse Contreras............OL/DL...........Sr. 81. Jake Shaw.................... TE/DL...........Sr.

LAKEVIEW LIONS

BILL MURPHY | The Times

Lakeview Academy players going through practice on July 16 in Gainesville.

Lions looking to build off first postseason run BY ROBERT ALFONSO JR.

ralfonso@gainesvilletimes.com The itch to return to the sideline was too much for Lee Shaw to resist. A year after retirement, the veteran football coach jumped back into coaching to head the 2020 Lakeview Academy Lions football program. And it has already shown signs of success, like his previous stints at Flowery Branch and Rabun County. Shaw has built his career on building or revitalizing programs. After Year 1, things are headed in a good direction. The Lions (5-3 in 2020) secured their second winning season since 2012. However, this led them to making

the Class A state playoffs for the first time in school history. “When you’re building a program, you have to have an area that is hungry for success,” Shaw said. “You have to get kids believing. You don’t make excuses.” Shaw is familiar with the passion of football fans in Hall County. He led Flowery Branch at the pinnacle of its early success, including a run to the 2008 state championship game. His next revitalization project was Rabun County. While he looks back at the success over the years, Shaw sees the same potential at Lakeview Academy. “I found myself wanting to be back

coaching kids,” Shaw said. “For me, it is about the pieces of the puzzle together. This is fulfilling my goals to give them (student-athletes) the opportunity to be successful.” During the one year away from the sideline, Shaw learned his passion is to be coaching and mentoring young players. Being up late watching video, having staff meetings and just being on the road bus trips were appealing to the veteran coach. Simply put: He enjoys the grind. “I realized once I got back into it, I realized how much I missed the grind, excitement, the brotherhood and watching players’ development,” Shaw said. “Some things weren’t all bad (prior to retirement).”

2021 | Football in Hall | 19

2021 ROSTER 1. Andrew Pope................. WR/OLB.........Sr. 2. Toni Reyes..................... WR/DB.......... Jr. 3. Isaiah Rico..................... WR/DB.......... Jr. 5. Davison Filson................RB/LB...........Sr. 6. Sam Perrott.................. WR/SEC.........Sr. 7. Luke Cooper...................RB/LB........... Jr. 8. Liam Weidner................. WR/DB.......... Jr. 9. James Cobb....................QB/LB........... Fr. 10. Jason Appel................. WR/DB.......... Jr. 11. Ethan Croft................... WR/DB.......... Fr.

12. Harrison Cooper............QB/DB.......... Fr. 15. Bryan Ramsey..................K..............So 17. Cannon Deringer.......... WR/DB......... So. 18. Ryan Coolidge...................K.............. Jr. 21. Palmer White................RB/LB........... Fr. 22. Kastian Haynes........... WR/OLB........ So. 23. Jay Dave’ .........................K............. So. 24. Isaac Marcero.............. WR/DB.......... Jr. 25. Jacob Davenport.......... WR/DB......... So. 34. Landon Hanes...............RB/LB........... Jr.

50. Konner Adams..............OL/DL........... Fr. 51. Sam Carter...................OL/LB...........Sr. 54. Stuart Daniel.................OL/LB.......... So. 55. Sean Lupczynski...........OL/DL...........Sr. 60. Bennett Wayne .............OL/DL.......... So. 65. Thomas Berry...............OL/DL........... Jr. 66. Evan Yaskulka ..............OL/DL.......... So. 74. Niko Benz.....................OL/DL........... Fr. 75. Charlie Peck..................OL/DL.......... So. 77 .Drake Dobbs.................OL/DL ........ Fro.

2021 SCHEDULE

BILL MURPHY | The Times

Aug. 20 at Mount Paran Christian Aug. 27 at Darlington Sept. 3 RABUN GAP Sept. 10 at Walker Sept. 17 at Towns County Oct. 1 FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN* Oct. 8 at King’s Ridge Christian* Oct. 15 at Mount Pisgah Christian* Oct. 29 at St. Francis* Nov. 5 at Providence Christian* *REGION GAMES

Lakeview Academy players go through drills in Gainesville.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH Lions hit the weight room

The excitement of making the state playoffs for the first time in school history is a major accomplishment, but there is more to it than showing up. Lakeview Academy was bounced from those playoffs by North Cobb Christian in the first round of the Class A private schools bracket. Immediately after the final horn, or the proverbial tip of the hat to the opposing coach, Shaw realized his Lions needed to hit the weight room. They needed to get stronger. Lakeview Academy committed to the weight room in the winter, in the spring and through the summer. “They wore us down,” he said. “You can tell they (North Cobb Christian) have been in the weight room. We really committed in getting stronger and faster. Hopefully, that will pay dividends this season.”

Mental Toughness Getting stronger creates the mental toughness needed to be on the gridiron. Players have to find a way to dig deep when things get tough on the field. Building strength creates confi-

20 | Football in Hall | 2021

dence. “When you get to the fourth quarter, who has the heart to make a play? When you get stronger, you get tougher.”

Locking in defensively Lakeview Academy’s defense will be anchored by Sam Perrott, Landon Hanes and Luke Cooper. Each of these players played vital roles on the school’s first playoff season. Perrott is an all-around athlete, who will start at safety. This senior is also the team’s backup quarterback with plenty of experience. Hanes and Cooper are juniors, who were all-region linebackers. They will also be the Lions’ running backs. This trio will anchor the defense.

Building depth The Lions graduated 15 seniors from 2020’s squad. Replacing a large number of seniors is difficult. Lakeview Academy has no more than 30 players on the roster. This year’s team will need to build depth on players who do not have as

much field time or snaps. Sean Lupczynski is a lineman with game experience for the Lions. Harrison Cooper is being thrown into the fire as starting quarterback for Lakeview Academy, while Stewart Daniels is a sophomore wide receiver. Many of them played only basketball last season. So, the Lions will continue playing players on both ends of the field. The depth has to be formed by playing time.

Building on success Shaw took the Lakeview Academy job with a vision in mind. He wants to continue winning and building like he did at previous stops. His goal is to put the Lions in the same conversation with Prince Avenue Christian, Greater Atlanta Christian and many other notable private schools across the state. Shaw knows it is a mountain to climb. “We want to continue to have a winning record and get in the playoffs,” Shaw said. “We want to advance out of the first round.”

LANIER CHRISTIAN LIGHTNING

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Lanier Christian players go through drills on July 23 in Flowery Branch.

Lightning usher in Miller as their new coach BY ROBERT ALFONSO JR

ralfonso@gainesvilletimes.com When you are accustomed to running your own program, the itch to run one again is hard to ignore — even after retiring. This is what brought veteran football coach Bruce Miller, a legend at Gainesville High, to south Hall’s Lanier Christian Academy. Miller, who retired in 2018, said that building a program brought him back to the gridiron as a head coach. “I tried being an assistant and

enjoyed it, but there was something unfulfilled,” Miller said. “I knew what it was — I was a head coach for over 30 years.” Miller retired from Gainesville High after the 2017 season. During his 30 years as a head coach, Miller won 225 games (64 percent of his games). With the Red Elephants, Miller guided the school to 16 straight playoff appearances. He served as an assistant for a few years, spending a year each at Lakeview Academy, Flowery Branch and West Hall.

His return to the sideline became official February 23 when Lanier Christian was looking for a head coach. Miller, who has previously head coached exclusively in the public school setting, was hired six months ago to lead Lanier Christian. Building a program is nothing new for Miller. However, leading a program that plays eight-man football is new for the man who led the Red Elephants to nine region championships and the Class 5A state title in 2012 during

2021 | Football in Hall | 21

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20 Aug. 27 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15

COVINGTON at King’s Way Christian at Holy Spirt Prep JOHNSON FERRY CHRISTIAN PRAISE ACADEMY at Victory Baptist HORIZON at Peoples Baptist ALL HOME GAMES PLAYED AT GAINESVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Miller talks about making adjustments for the line. There are things associated with his passing game where the lineman is an important part of the offense. Miller knows the adjustments and learning curve will come along with his experienced coaching staff.

Shorter field, same distance SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Lanier Christian coach Bruce Miller calls plays during practice in Flowery Branch.

his tenure from 2002-2017. Before coming to Gainesville, Miller was head coach at North Forsyth for five seasons and Cass for nine years. “I wanted to give this a try,” Miller said. “I have always been in public schools. I am learning something every day. What takes place in private schools does not take place in public (schools).” Lanier Christian plays its home games at Gainesville Middle School.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

Same game, different league Miller has always coached 11-man football. He has achieved success in his spread-offensive scheme. However, in this eight-man football, played in the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools, Miller has to make some adjustments to his spread offense. He has about 20 players on the roster. Four are homeschool students, which is allowed, per league rules. But when it comes to gameday the roster is only 16 deep. With so many

22 | Football in Hall | 2021

adjustments, Miller is still learning the rules. “I am learning as I go every day,” Miller said. “I get hit with something new. It is a new situation.” Two players he will count on this season are seniors Ethan Jarrard and lineman Gabe Jaramillo.

Eight-man formation adjustments Miller has built a championship career running the spread offense. This was in 11-man football. At Lanier Christian, there are only eight players lining up for the snap. Now, he has to make major adjustments. In his passing game Miller loses two tackles and a player in the backfield. It also takes out one receiver. This will serve as a challenge for the Lightning. “We have to adjust and make that happen,” Miller said.

Towing the offensive line In eight-man football, there are only three offensive linemen.

Another adjustment for Miller is the dimensions of the field. The eight-man format playing field is 40 yards wide and 100 yards long. He equates this to playing full court 3-on-3 basketball. There are a lot of high-scoring games because there is so much space on the field. Defensive guys have a challenge. Miller’s offense is about “finding grass.” The way the field dimensions are made up, there is a lot of grass to throw, too.

Two different worlds Miller is making adjustments in making the transition from public school to private school, especially as a head coach. He went from coaching a program with consistently more than 70 players on the roster to 20 total at Lanier Christian. The flexibility of being at a private school has left Miller always saying, “Oh, I didn’t know that.” He has had plenty of those moments since he took the job. Miller is looking to bring his highlevel of success from public school (200 plus career wins and a state championship) to the private school.

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NORTH HALL TROJANS

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

North Hall holds practice Thursday, July 15, at The Brickyard as the Trojans prepare for the upcoming football season.

Trojans geared up to compete for 7-3A title BY NATHAN BERG For The Times

North Hall is looking to build on the biggest turnaround in Hall County in 2020. Trojans coach David Bishop, right now, feels pretty good about their chances. Inexperience up and down the roster slowed the Trojans down at the beginning of last year, leading to an 0-3 start. But once North Hall put things together, it looked like a completely different team. The Trojans won 6 of their last 7 games to close out the regular season, and even earned a playoff win in the first round over North Murray, before falling to eventual state semifinalist Greater Atlanta Christian. Now, Bishop is hoping to build on that momentum. “Last year, they were young, but now they’ve got a lot of experience,” he said. “They made it to the second round of the playoffs, so I think that’s big.”

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH New year, new Puryear

Senior Bradford Puryear will return

24 | Football in Hall | 2021

as the starting quarterback for the Trojans, and according to Bishop, North Hall fans have plenty of new tricks to look forward to from the now-veteran signal caller. “Bradford is a much, much improved quarterback from the beginning of last year to now,” he said. “You wouldn’t recognize him with his abilities to do the things that he’s needed to do for our success.” Bishop said that in addition to trusting Puryear more to read defenses and get the team into the correct plays, he’s also implementing several new plays to get the quarterback in space on the ground more frequently. “It’s definitely a different dynamic than what we had this time last year with him,” he said. There’s no questioning Puryear’s athletic ability. He was a key member, starting in left field, for North Hall’s state championship baseball program in 2021.

been clocked running a sub 4.7 40-yard dash this offseason, along with Austin Atha make up an inside linebacking duo that Bishop referred to as the best tandem he’s had at the position since arriving at North Hall 20 years ago. “That’s pretty high praise, to be honest with you,” he said. Offensively, Bishop said Telander’s elite combination of size and speed make him a threat to score any time the ball comes his way. “We’re finding ways that we can do things to get him the ball more than just what we’ve done in the past,” Bishop said. “He’s a big man who moves really well.” Telander’s talent has certainly been noticed early by Division-I schools, already holding scholarship offers from Tennessee, Georgia Tech and Memphis.

Telander’s time to shine

Experience on the offensive front

One of the Trojans’ most exciting players this season is junior linebacker and tight end Jeremiah Telander, the reigning Region 7-3A Defensive Player of the Year. Telander, who Bishop said has

North Hall’s most experienced unit will be its offensive line, which returns all five starters this season. Consistent offensive line play is always crucial for team success, but even more so in the Trojans’ Wing-T

2021 ROSTER 1. Jeremiah Telander.......... TE/LB........... Jr. 2. Bradford Puryear.............QB/DB..........Sr. 4. Clay Stover.....................RB/DB..........Sr. 5. Austin Atha.....................RB/LB...........Sr. 6. David Garrison............... WR/DE.......... Jr. 8. Blane Seabolt..................QB/DB.......... Fr. 9. Will Jackson....................RB/DB.......... Jr. 10. Ezekiel Harris................ TE/LB.......... So. 11. Ryals Puryear...............RB/DB......... So. 12. Britton Glover................QB/DB.......... Jr. 13. Luke Evans...................QB/DB......... So. 15. Glenn Hulsey.................RB/DB......... So. 16. Alex Brown.................. WR/DB.......... Jr. 17. Tate Ruth......................RB/DB......... So. 18. Conner Free..................RB/DB......... So. 19. Jake Wishousky........... WR/DB......... So. 20. Charlie Dyer..................RB/DB.......... Fr. 21. Tanner Marsh............... WR/DB......... So.

22. Ajay Jones....................RB/DB......... So. 24. Luke Martin................. WR/DB.......... Fr. 25. Malachi Herbert........... WR/DB.......... Fr. 26. Mason Kerrick.............. WR/DB......... So. 27. Ethan Little...................RB/DB.......... Jr. 28. Alston Self....................RB/LB........... Jr. 31. McKinley Kemp.............RB/DB.......... Fr. 33. Trey Patterson...............RB/LB.......... So. 34. Hunter Riley..................RB/DB......... So. 35. Luke Brown.................... K/P.............Sr. 37. Jess Freeman...............RB/DB.......... Fr. 38. Nikolas Carmona............. K/P.............Sr. 49, Kevin Rochester............RB/DE...........Sr. 50. Zander Glider................OL/DL........... Jr. 52. Baker Dyer....................OL/DL...........Sr. 54. Jarrett Latty..................OL/DL...........Sr. 55. Charlie House...............OL/DL........... Fr. 56. Zane Hall......................OL/DL...........Sr.

57. Hayden Chase...............OL/DL........... Jr. 58. Wyatt Gowan................OL/DL........... Jr. 60. Akim Reyes......................PK............ So. 63. Bryce Truett..................OL/DL.......... So. 64, Nick Sanders................OL/DL........... Fr. 66. Rolando Laguna............OL/DL.......... So. 67. Austin Copper...............OL/DL...........Sr. 68. Triston Bassett..............OL/DL........... Jr. 75. Grayson Blair................OL/DL.......... So. 76. Luke Tyner....................OL/DL.......... So. 78. Kyler Olson...................OL/DL...........Sr. 81. Blayde Carmona.......... WR/DB.......... Fr. 82. Jake Clark.................... TE/DE........... Fr. 83. Camden McCaleb......... WR/DB......... So. 85. Gus Maldonado............ WR/DB.......... Fr. 87. Caden Webb................. TE/DE........... Jr. 88. Jackson Poreda........... WR/DB.......... Jr.

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20 Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 29 Nov. 5

at Paulding County STEPHENS COUNTY at Hart County CHESTATEE at West Hall* WHITE COUNTY* at Lumpkin County* GILMER CHEROKEE BLUFF* at Dawson County* *REGION GAMES

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

North Hall’s offense runs plays July 15 at The Brickyard as the Trojans prepare for the upcoming football season.

offense, which is largely dependent on winning in the trenches. Bishop said he believes this group, all of whom are seniors, has the right team mindset to get the job done this season. This group is anchored by Jarrett Latty, Austin Copper and Baker Dyer, among others. “They’ve been working together since they were young,” he said.

New faces in the backfield Perhaps North Hall’s biggest vacancy comes at one of the most important positions for the Trojans: running back. Star tailback Clark Howell, who

rushed for over 1,700 yards and more than 20 touchdowns a year ago, is graduated, as is blocking back Menfiz Dyer, leaving a couple of big holes on the North Hall offense. At the moment, Bishop said Will Jackson, Clay Stover, Tate Ruth, and Puryear’s younger brother, Ryals, will all be in the race for playing time and carries. “Right now, you’ve got a lot of guys fighting for spots,” he said.

Starting by stopping the run The North Hall defense will be manned by a combination of new and returning starters, with most of the experienced talent up front.

Only two of the Trojans regular starting defensive backs from a year ago will be back, but five of the six starters in the defensive line and linebacking crew will reclaim their spots. To that end, Bishop said the front, highlighted by Telander and Atha at the linebacker position and Jarrett Latty, a versatile defensive lineman who will be asked to play both at defensive tackle and defensive end, will be responsible for preventing big running plays and letting the defensive backs focus on passing plays. He’s not expecting many teams to be able to run on North Hall, which means the three new starters in the secondary will have to learn quickly on the job. “We’ve been pretty good at stopping the run, so what that does is force people to have to throw the ball more,” Bishop said. “So we’re going to be tested.”

2021 | Football in Hall | 25

RIVERSIDE MILITARY EAGLES

Eagles looking to build back after season off BY ROBERT ALFONSO JR.

ralfonso@gainesvilletimes.com Before the coronavirus shutdown, Riverside Military Academy had its football program trending in the right direction, coach Nick Garrett said. After not fielding a team in 2020, a decision the private military boarding school in Gainesville made months before the season due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, Garrett is ready to build the program back up again. This season, it will be an almost completely new group of players for the fifth-year Eagles coach. Last season, former Eagles standout Shad Dabney, now a defensive back at Kansas, played his senior year of high school at Cherokee Bluff. Wide receiver Adriel Clark, now playing at East Tennessee State, went to Rabun County for his final season of eligibility. And lineman Wiley McDonald, who last season went back home to play in Chattanooga, Tennessee, now plays college football at The Citadel. After posting back-to-back .500 seasons, in 2018 and 2019, Garrett isn’t going to make excuses for factors out of his control. Instead, he’s looking forward to a new group that has bumped up to the five-team Region 8-2A to go up against Rabun County, Elbert County, Banks County and Union County. With four teams making the postseason, all the Eagles will need is one region win to make the playoffs. So with a quick turnaround between new students arriving on campus and the start of the season, Garrett is eager to cultivate a winning culture with a new batch of players. Garrett said he used the empty season to get better at his craft by constantly going to games, practices, studying college programs and attending coaching clinics. “I used a crisis situation where most people would have folded under,” said Garrett, who coached at East Los Angeles Community College before coming to Georgia. “I looked for ways to grow. I don’t look for a way out, we look for a way in.” This season, Garrett has Jason Pleasant, who will also be the Eagles head basketball coach, back as his defensive coordinator after he was coaching at Cherokee Bluff in 2020.

26 | Football in Hall | 2021

2021 SCHEDULE

BILL MURPHY| The Times

Riverside Military coach Nick Garrett speaks at a Rotary Club meeting on July 26.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

Aug. 20 NOTRE DAME ACADEMY Aug. 27 ST. ANNE-PACELLI Sept. 3 vs. Druid Hills Sept. 10 GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE Sept. 17 EAST FORSYTH Sept. 24 TOOMBS COUNTY Oct. 1 UNION COUNTY* Oct. 8 at Rabun County* Oct. 22 BANKS COUNTY* Oct. 29 at Elbert County* *REGION GAMES

Creating Riverside’s new identity Garrett has hammered home the “we not me” approach to his players. The Eagles players who were on campus this past season, despite the large crop of players who left, came out to spring practice. This is where the seed of building an identity starts. Riverside Military’s coach was focused on building the relationship piece with those players who would be with the program in 2021. “Teaching these boys it is bigger than just them,” Garrett said. “They can achieve great things, if they buy in.”

Discipline matters Building a program is never easy. But there is a standard that will not be compromised, which is the Riverside Military way. Its three pillars are military, education and athletics. These three things are woven into the disciplinary fabric of the program. “It is how you walk and how you talk,” Garrett said. “It is a way of life. It is a standard that carries over. We are just re-enforcing the school codes.”

Building a culture on love When Garrett was focused on reinventing himself as a coach, the focus was not necessarily about learning more X’s and O’s. He talked to a number of coaches, from every level, on how to build culture. Culture is the reflection of the head coach.

Many told him it comes from emphasizing discipline and love (the most important piece). “We don’t just tell people we love them,” Garrett said. “We don’t just tell them, we show them. This is what makes us unique.”

Players learning their roles Whenever any program puts players together, the toughest thing is getting everyone to understand and accept their role on the team. This is what Garrett is focused on with this year’s team. Riverside Military lost the overwhelming majority of its roster when the players transferred because the 2020 season was canceled. The team’s previous success came from everyone understanding what was expected of them. Garrett has always been transparent with his players throughout his coaching career.

Living the Eagle brand Every season, Garrett allows his football captains to come up with an acronym for Eagles ahead of the new season. As soon as those cadets arrive on campus they should have what the football program will follow this season. Riverside Military opens its season on Aug. 20 against Notre Dame Prep at Maginnis Field. The Eagles play seven home games this season.

WEST HALL SPARTANS

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

West Hall Spartans football players work out at the schools practice field July 22.

West Hall eager to display its improvements BY ROBERT ALFONSO JR.

ralfonso@gainesvilletimes.com West Hall coach Krofton Montgomery wants people to associate his program with consistency. It’s still a work in progress, but a goal Montgomery, the Spartans’ fourth-year coach, feels his program in close to achieving. After a substantially better 4-6 mark in 2020, and so much returning talent, making the playoffs for the first time since 2017 is not unrealistic for the Spartans. Finishing with a winning record was within West Hall’s grasp throughout the 2020 season. The Spartans were in many games and showed plenty of fight. However, Montgomery would like to see the fight and consistency for 48 minutes of football. “We had the opportunity to play with a lot of teams,” Montgomery said.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH The Spartans’ offense is focused on being a balanced attack. They want to make sure to keep defenses off balance. However, this did not take place last season. An inexperienced offensive line forced West Hall to throw the ball more frequently than normal in 2020. So much so, senior Rodrigo Lopez led the Spartans with more than 1,000 receiving yards and was an AllState selection. Now, those games played has provided the Spartans the experience necessary.

the field for way too many snaps to be rested. They did a decent job keeping them in the game, despite the fatigue. “We feel defensively, we will put ourselves in a good position,” Montgomery said. “It is our strong point.” Players like seniors Jaden White, in the secondary, and Tilil Blackwell, an inside linebacker, will lead the way for the Spartans’ talented defense with ample returning starters. White (72 tackles in 2020) is the heart and soul of the defense. He has earned All-Region honors the last two seasons. Blackwell (40 tackles in 2020) hits as hard as anyone on the field. Both guys help anchor the middle for the Spartans.

Defensive strength

Offensvie influence

An improved offensive line will help the defensive line. Last season, the defense was on

The experience on the offensive line is essential to get West Hall’s team started.

Building balance and experience

2021 | Football in Hall | 27

2021 ROSTER 1. Mikyle Hemphill..................................Sr. 2. Tilil Blackwell......................................Sr. 3. Jayden Badger....................................Sr. 4. Byron Brevil........................................Sr. 6. Jaden White........................................Sr. 8. Andrew Malin...................................... Jr. 9. Nick Davidson.................................... So. 10. Preston Smith...................................Sr. 11. Noah Legault.................................... Jr. 12. Jonathan Mast..................................Sr. 13. Henry Ruiz....................................... So. 14. Nick Sturm........................................Sr. 15. Santana English............................... So. 16. Ethan Clifford.................................... Fr. 17. Zach Stephens.................................. Jr. 18. Junior Avila....................................... Fr. 19. Tobias Perez...................................... Fr. 20. Marcus Pugh.................................... Fr. 21. Caleb Baker......................................Sr. 22. Andy Mayo........................................Sr. 23. Lukas Fernandez............................... Jr. 24. Keyvan Allen.................................... So. 25. Preston Rogers................................. Fr. Reagan Byrd is a senior guard and the leader of the line. Last year, he was named to the All-Region first team. Tito Hernandez started every game last season as a junior center. An experienced person in the middle of the offensive line is important. The experience on the line will be essential in order for the Spartans to attain a winning record. In addition to being a standout on defense, Blackwell is set to start at running back for West Hall.

Minimizing turnovers Montgomery is placing a premium on limiting the turnovers, as the Spartans seem primed to compete for a playoff spot against Cherokee Bluff and North Hall in Region 7-3A. However, totally eliminating major offensive mistakes is not always realistic. Montgomery would like to keep the turnovers to a minimum. This will lead to more rest for the defensive line. It will also potentially create wins. “We cannot take ourselves out of scoring positions,” Montgomery said. “This comes from experience, playing together and players trusting each other. You don’t want to have your defense playing 70-plus snaps. Teams are going to score, but you cannot have your defense gassed in

28 | Football in Hall | 2021

26. Jayden Young.................................... Fr. 27. Kai McAllister.................................... Fr. 28. Malik Vaughan.................................. Fr. 30. Brady Clark....................................... Jr. 31. Calvin Norman..................................Sr. 32. Akabar Aliou......................................Sr. 33. Maliek Richardson........................... So. 34. Blake McCray...................................Sr. 35. Jayden Mullinax................................ Fr. 36. Tyson Slipper.................................... Fr. 40. Stone Smith......................................Sr. 42. Ethan Crofutt.....................................Sr. 45. Cam Riojas....................................... Fr. 46. Skylar Harvey................................... Fr. 50. Matt Harkins..................................... Jr. 51. Andrew Clark.................................... Fr. 52. Tytres Statham.................................. Fr. 53. Adrian Gonzalez................................ Jr. 54. Jack Lemoine................................... Fr. 55. Alex Doster.......................................Sr. 56. Kato Martinez.................................. So. 57. Reagan Byrd.....................................Sr. 58. John Kendrick................................... Fr.

59. Will Wagner....................................... Jr. 60. AJ O’Bryant....................................... Jr. 61. Kai McAllister.................................... Fr. 62. Connor Bailey.................................. So. 63. Richard Walker................................. So. 64. Ryan McMillan.................................. Jr. 65. Ethan Couch..................................... Jr. 66. Bricen Grindle................................... Jr. 67. Bryce Reed...................................... So. 70. Anthony Santos................................. Fr. 71. Robert Pizano................................... Fr. 72. Dan Diasi.......................................... Jr. 73. Chance Armour................................. Fr. 74. Sam Pettit......................................... Jr. 76. Travion McDowell............................. So. 77. Tucker Williams................................ So. 78. Tito Hernandez.................................. Jr. 80. Anderson Sica................................... Fr. 84. Preston Dontje.................................. Fr. 85. KC Staton......................................... Fr. 86. Aiden Rainey..................................... Fr. 88. Daniel Altamirano.............................. Fr.

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20 Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Nov. 5

at East Jackson at East Hall JOHNSON at Chestatee NORTH HALL* at Cherokee Bluff* WHITE COUNTY* at Dawson County* at Gilmer* LUMPKIN COUNTY*

*REGION GAMES

the fourth quarter. We will try to play with tempo to help our defense.”

Turf set Montgomery is focused on building his team for the season. His focus is to control what is within his control. There are things not in his control. One of those things this season is the resurfacing of the field. Spartans Stadium is getting a fresh look with a brand-new synthetic surface and freshly painted bleachers. As you look on the field, there seems to be plenty of work ahead.

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

West Hall Spartans football players work out at the school’s practice field July 22.

Montgomery has been told it will be ready by Week 3, the Spartans first home game against Johnson in the Battle of Oakwood on Sept. 3. “I am looking forward to it being complete so we’re able to compete,” he said. “I wish we were practicing on it right now and getting used to the surface.”

Photos by SCOTT ROGERS and BILL MURPHY | The Times

Teams practice as they gear up for the 2021 football season.

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