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Thursday, April 17, 2008
Spring Football Fling: Daunting schedule awaits Camden Co. in ‘08
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THE SPRING FOOTBALL FLING In upcoming weeks, teams throughout the state will spend 10 days on the practice field preparing for the 2008 football season. In a series of stories, ajc.com will provide an offseason outlook for 25 of the top teams in the metro and state.
This Week’s Lineup
• Fri: Camden Co. • Sat: Newnan • Sun: Stephenson
• 4/14: Roswell • 4/15: Norcross • 4/16: Walton • 4/17: Harrison
Photos: A look at Camden
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Camden in ‘08? Can the Cats survive their schedule? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
Daunting schedule awaits Camden County
Jeff Herron needs to replace his son, the quarterback, his defensive line and his line coach, but the Camden County coach believes his 2008 team could be better than the one that reached the Class AAAAA semifinals in 2007.
The new quarterback will be Christian Milstead, who started at safety and played quite a bit at quarterback as a sophomore when Major Herron was injured. Herron, an honorable mention all-state player, has signed with Lenoir-Rhyne.
“He has been groomed for this for several years, and he has all the intangibles you look for, so we’re really excited about him,” coach Herron said of Milstead. “We don’t think we’ll miss anything there.”
Milstead is a pretty good runner, although not in Major Herron’s class, but Milstead has the stronger and perhaps better arm.
Losing all three starting down linemen on defense is the coach’s biggest concern. Also gone is the defensive line coach, Xarvia Smith, now head coach at Cedar Shoals. Smith will be replaced by Brian Love, who held the same position at McEachern.
Motivation will not be an issue, Herron said.
Aside from the memory of making the semifinals last year, the players and staff can look ahead to a challenging first three games. The schedule shows Norcross in the Georgia Dome on Aug. 23, Florida contender Columbia at home on Sept. 5 and five-time Alabama state champion Hoover on the road on Sept. 12.
Camden County Wildcats
Region 3-AAAAA
Spring practice dates: May 5-16.
Last year’s record: 12-2, lost in Class AAAAA semifinals to eventual champion Lowndes 10-0.
Reclassification challenge: Does not apply.
Working on: Milstead, a senior, takes over at quarterback, but the more pressing job is rebuilding a defensive line that lost five of its top six players. Camden also lost two of its starting running backs, including Georgia Southern signee A.J. McCray, but Herron doesn’t sound too worried. Halfback Greg Baker will be a three-year starter, and fullback Adrian Alexander is healthy after being lost at midseason because of an ankle injury last year. Also watch for Marquevious Myers, an outstanding tight end last year and perhaps the team’s best all-around player. He’s moving to fullback, a key position in the wing-T. Taking Myers’ place at tight end will be Ryan Attaway, a 6-foot-6, 300-pounder “who can really run,” Herron said. “He’s an unusual one.” Camden lost three starting offensive linemen, including Ryan Seymour to Vanderbilt, but welcomes back center Keegan McClain (6-3, 270). McClain, who might wind up at tackle, was beginning to shine last year before a knee injury in the fifth game ended his season.
Key starters lost: QB Major Herron (Lenoir-Rhyne), G Ryan Seymour (Vanderbilt), T Omar Saenz (Albany State), HB/CB A.J. McCray (Georgia Southern), PK Drake Nahrwold (Cumberland), DL Stephan Myers (Savannah State).
Key starters returning: S/QB Christian Milstead (5-11, 161), HB Greg Baker (5-9, 170), FB Marquevious Myers (6-1, 220), C Nick Siemer (6-3, 280), G Josh Delly (5-9, 200), LB Robert Williams (5-11, 181), LB Ty Booth (5-10, 200), LB Gavin Oliver (5-10, 180), LB Justin Orr (6-2, 203, LB DeWaine Coleman (5-9, 158), CB Michael Green (5-11, 170).
2008 strengths: All five of Camden’s linebackers return. DeWaine Coleman, who weighs only about 160, is perhaps the best of the bunch. Cornerback Michael Green is another all-state candidate. They run to the ball and tackle exceptionally well and should be the core of one of the state’s best dozen defenses. Camden is deep at running back and will be bigger on the lines of scrimmage.
2008 weaknesses: The defensive line is totally rebuilt, but Camden’s offense, which was shut out by Lowndes in the 2007 semifinals, needs to develop playmakers and to become less predictable in the wing-T. Milstead’s arm could make a big difference. Myers is an impressive athlete who could have a breakout season.
This season’s projection: Camden should win its eighth consecutive region title with little resistance. This is a team that can reach the semifinals again and perhaps win its first state title since 2003.
Photos: A look at Camden
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Camden in ‘08? Can the Cats survive their schedule? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
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Spring Football Fling: For Harrison, only 2008 constant may be change itself
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THE SPRING FOOTBALL FLING In upcoming weeks, teams throughout the state will spend 10 days on the practice field preparing for the 2008 football season. In a series of stories, ajc.com will provide an offseason outlook for 25 of the top teams in the metro and state.
This Week’s Lineup
• Thurs: Harrison • Fri: Camden Co. • Sat: Newnan
• Sun: Stephenson • 4/14: Roswell • 4/15: Norcross • 4/16: Walton
Photos: A look at Harrison football
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Harrison in ‘08? How will the new-look Hoyas handle change? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
Change is in the cards for Harrison
Harrison’s Bruce Cobleigh will tell you he has the same expectations for his football team this season as he does every year - competing for region and state titles, flirting with 10 victories and getting seniors college scholarships.
But there’s only one hitch. It’s not his team anymore. Cobleigh stepped down in March after spending 17 years as the program’s only coach.
“It’s going to be an adjustment,” Cobleigh said. “I’ve been doing it for 33 years. I thought it was the right time. I thought the program was in good shape. I certainly didn’t want to leave it when it wasn’t in good shape.”
School officials would like to have a replacement as early as this week, but even though the name on the head coach’s office is changing, don’t expect the environment to get an overhaul. Harrison is still one of the best jobs in the state because of state-of-the-art facilities and a talented group returning.
“I’ve come in where other guys had a job, but the best part about kids is they are resilient,” Cobleigh said. “That’s how they can bounce back from the losses. Our guys like to play in the games. I feel confident our principal is going to hire a great football coach, and those kids are just going to rally around them because they want to play. It’ll take [the new coach] 10 minutes to get them ready to go.”
The pieces are certainly in place for Cobleigh’s successor. Ten starters return from last season’s playoff team. Cobleigh expects the same success his program has reaped every year.
He just won’t be around to see much of it.
“The last thing anyone needs is me around,” Cobleigh said. “Would you want the ex-coach hanging around? I’m going to be there if [the new coach] needs something.”
Harrison Hoyas
Region 5-AAAAA
Spring practice dates: April 28-May 16.
Last year’s record: 9-3, lost in the second round.
Reclassification challenge: Does not apply.
Working on: Harrison will be in limbo until a new coach is named. Cobleigh’s team ran the wing-T and a 4-4 defense, so there probably will be an adjustment to a new coaching philosophy. The Hoyas also are looking for depth on defense, where only three starters return, and wide receivers to emerge.
Key starters lost: WR Darvin Adams, RB Jamal Austin, RB Alphonso Griffin, SS Brandon Lane, K Eric Cobleigh, P Ryan Hill.
Key starters returning: C Nick Jackson, TB Robbie Godhigh, LB Bradley Mears, QB Christian Burnett.
2008 strengths: There’s a lot to like about the seven offensive starters coming back. Jackson is a Division I recruit at center and anchors four of five returning linemen. Godhigh rushed for 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2007, but will be missing Griffin and Austin to share the load. Enter junior Andre Williams, the Cobb County 200-meters champion. The defensive interior also features three returning starters. Burnett is a smart and steady quarterback entering his third season of starting experience.
2008 weaknesses: Aside from the three returning interior defensive players, there’s nothing else. The Hoyas lost the entire secondary, outside linebackers and defensive ends. Harrison will need depth there. The loss of Adams takes away experience and skill at wide receiver. The Hoyas will be looking to replace most of the unit. Kicker Charlton Gutierrez will need to develop as the starter.
This season’s projection: Everything should be in position for another region title push, but that depends on the new head man. The Hoyas feature a veteran offense guided by strong quarterback and talented backfield, but until the new coach is hired, who knows what parts Harrison is looking for. Even with the question marks, Harrison usually has the talent for a region title and run into the playoffs.
Comment: “The group coming back is really a lot of fun to be with,” Cobleigh said. “They really like to play. That was the difficult part, not being able to coach these seniors, who are a really fun bunch. These guys truly like to play. So they’re going to be fine. They’re going to be competitive like they always are.”
Photos: A look at Harrison football
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Harrison in ‘08? How will the new-look Hoyas handle change? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
