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DEL.ICIO.USSpring 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.
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Comments
By jc
April 17, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Woodstock is gonna whip ya……
By HarrisonDad
April 17, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
I’m upset about Cobleigh leaving, but hurry up and make a decision. I think this decision should have been made already.
By HS Football Fan
April 17, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
West Cobb Football is always faced with the challenges of having to rebuild their programs when new schools open. I think the addition of Allatoona HS is going to make West Cobb even more competitive. Allatoona HS is pulling from three great high schools in the west cobb area (North Cobb, Kennesaw Mountain and Harrison) and they already have a great coach that has won a state championship coming into a new school.
By KMHRules
April 17, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
Kennesaw Mountain will rule the state this year. We are loaded at every position, and should win the state title.
By whateveryousay
April 17, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
KMHS winning state? Don’t you have to make the playoffs first?
By Miles Jones
April 18, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
It was a heart breaker when coach Cobleigh left but we need to rebound… State… State…. State…
By KMHS Fan
April 18, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
I am sorry to say, but you guys will not win state. You will not even compete within our region.
By ownage
April 18, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Kennesaw Mountain is absolutely terrible. How can you expects a team and coach with no playoff experience to win state? its not even a long shot, but a no shot.Harrison is always competitive and this class plays harder and is more together than any in the past, so yes they will be fine.
By ownage
April 18, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Kennesaw Mountain is absolutely terrible. How can you expects a team and coach with no playoff experience to win state? its not even a long shot, but a no shot.Harrison is always competitive and this class plays harder and is more together than any in the past, so yes they will be fine.
By Ep-Hoe!
April 18, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
there losin to ep
By What?
April 22, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
On exactly what would one base the opinion that KMHS is going to win the state title? Their best record in the history of the school was 7-3, with no trip to the playoff. In fact, KMHS has NEVER been in the playoffs. Their coach has coached exactly ONE playoff game in his career (1999 when he was at South Cobb, which lost a squeaker 35-0 to Douglass in the first round). Their record against McEachern is 1-5. Their record against Marietta is 0-4. Their record against Harrison is 1-5. Even their record against North Cobb is 1-5, and other than last year, North Cobb hasn’t exactly been a historical powerhouse. Cobb County hasn’t had a state champion since 1967, and Cobb’s football is proven EVERY YEAR to be inferior to the other class regions in the state. So, you’re telling us that this overwhelming collection of mediocrity at KMHS is going to be the team that breaks that 40 year old drought? I don’t think so.
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