First practice of year filled with hope, optimism
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Lakeside High School quarterback coach Drew Shelton keeps an eye on Jimmy Johnson during practice. The Georgia High School Association opened football practice for the states high schools last Monday.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Football is back.
Last Monday, the state's public school football programs officially got back to work.
On the first day the Georgia High School Association allowed football practice, the four area high schools trotted out the best athletes in hopes of preparing for a successful year.
Right now, every team is undefeated and every coach is optimistic.
"I can't tell you how excited I am," said Marty Jackson, Evans' head coach. "This what you waited for all summer. Man, I love my job.
"We could be really good this season. If we win the games we are supposed to and some we're not, we will be in the hunt for the playoffs."
Evans practiced the week, as all schools did, in helmets. The GHSA does not permit practice in full pads until Monday .
Lakeside High's B.B. Brandenburg cools off during a break in football practice.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"I've seen some good things, and I've seen some bad things," Jackson said as he watched his team run through drills. "It's the first week. Once they get acclimated to practiced, they will be OK."
Over at Lakeside, coach Randy Hill couldn't hide his excitement.
"I'm so ready to get started," he said. "I've been ready to go all summer, so I'm very excited to actually get it going."
The Panthers had a lower turnout than Hill might have expected, but he wasn't upset.
"We had fewer come out than in the past," he said. "But every guy out here is strong. We don't have any dead weight."
Down Washington Road, the Greenbrier Wolfpack kicked off the season with almost 100 players. Greenbrier, as well as Evans, has more than 40 freshman playing football this fall. "With so many freshman participating, we are almost certain to find some that will contribute right away as freshman," Greenbrier coach Mickey Derrick said.
The quarterback competition is the most pressing concern for the Wolfpack.
aLakeside quarterback Jimmy Johnson hands off the ball to Brian Gross-Bias during practice.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"Every spot is up for grabs, no matter who you are," Derrick said. "But the quarterback competition is probably the most important battle."
Junior Sean Gray and Lakeside transfer Brandon Hicks will vie for the job vacated by Brooks Robinson. Robinson, the 2003 Region Offensive Player of the Year, is now at Western Carolina.
"We probably won't name the starter until after the scrimmage games," Derrick said. "We just want them to see live competition before making the decision."
Harlem coach Jimmie Lewis kicked off his 11th season as football coach of the Bulldogs last week with practice.
The Bulldogs will have to work extra hard this preseason because of the challenging schedule and region this fall.
"We have got a lot of questions, but practice is where we hope to have them answered," Lewis said recently.
Football practice will move into overdrive at 12:01 a.m. Monday morning with "Midnight Madness" practices.
Harlem, Lakeside and Evans will all hold midnight practices.