Games can hinge on special teams
Not many fans pay attention to special teams.
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Graduated Evans kicker Reid Tankersley won two games in 2004 with last-second field goals.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Most of the time, when fans talk about returning starters, punters and place-kickers aren't part of the discussion.
But coaches know how important they are.
"It all starts with special teams," Lakeside High School coach Randy Hill said recently. "Field position is a big part of football. A punter can really bail you out, and a punt returner can do the same."
The Panthers had a tough time with kickoffs and punts in some games last season.
"Turnovers just killed us," said Hill.
Meanwhile, Evans High benefited from strong special teams play.
Highly regarded punter Lee Banks returns for his senior year at Augusta Christian.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Graduated kicker Reid Tankersley won two games (Lakeside and Effingham County) in 2004 with last-second field goals.
"It is very important to have a kicker you can go to late in games to give your team a chance to win," said Evans coach Marty Jackson.
The Knights have former National Punt, Pass and Kick champion Kevin Millward, who will handle punt duties. Millward shared the punting chores with Ryan Crislip last year.
"Kevin really came on late in the season," said Jackson. "It says a lot about his talent that we allowed a freshman to punt."
Augusta Christian punter Lee Banks also returns.
Banks was named The Augusta Chronicle All Area Independent Schools punter after averaging 36.9 yards a punt, with nine inside the 20-yard line. The Lions also have kicker Alden Fisher back this season.
"Special teams are definitely a strength of this team," said ACS coach Bruce Lane. "We're comfortable with the guys we have in place."
Harlem lost its specialists to graduation. Kicker Mike Morris and punter Rusty James are gone, as is Jeremy Larson, who returned a kick and punt for a touchdown last year.
Greenbrier goalie Jonathan Shackelford will handle kicking duties for the Wolfpack.