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Thursday, May 8, 2008
Spring Football Fling: Dacula faces fight in always-tough 8-AAAAA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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.
Dacula Falcons
Region 8-AAAAA
Spring practice dates: May 1 to 14
Last year’s record: 5-5
Reclassification challenge: Back in Class AAAAA after a two-year stint in AAAA, Dacula will face some familiar region opponents and a few new ones in 2008. The Falcons will be fighting for a playoff spot with Grayson, Brookwood and South Gwinnett, among others.
Working on: Preparing quarterback Hunter Watts to start in the fall. There are no other serious candidates at this point, so the job is his to lose. Also, Dacula didn’t have great team chemistry last year, so coach Kevin Maloof will look for that to improve this spring.
Key starters lost: RB Khiry Battle, OL Ari Tatum, OL Calvin Cantrell and RB Cisco Barry.
Key starters returning: DB Malcolm Young, DB Cody Davis, OL Cody Ames, OL Kyle Wright, DB Darien Lane and OL Antonio Yunker.
2008 strengths: Pass defense. The Falcons will have an experienced secondary and linebackers who can create havoc. Ames, Wright and Yunker also will make Dacula strong up front on offense.
2008 weaknesses: A question mark at the quarterback position makes Dacula’s passing game suspect. The Falcons also will need unproven players to step up and fill holes at running back and on the defensive line.
This season’s projection: The fact that Dacula struggled in Class AAAA last year makes it hard to pick them as a title contender in Region 8-AAAAA in 2008. But the Falcons have a history of success at the AAAAA level and a strong crop of rising juniors. If Watts can lead the offense effectively, Dacula could be in the playoff hunt.
Comment: “We’re not going to be afraid of anybody,” Maloof said. “We know that anybody can beat us. The region we’re going into is one of the most respected in state. We’ll hopefully respect everybody but not be afraid of anybody.”
Week Four Lineup
• 5/5: Chamblee • 5/6: Grayson • 5/7: N. Gwinnett • 5/8: Douglass
Week Three Lineup
• 4/28: Lowndes • 4/29: Parkview • 4/30: Mays • 5/1: Marist • 5/2: Northside-WR • 5/3: Lovett • 5/4: St. Pius
Week Two Lineup
• 4/21: ML King • 4/22: Valdosta • 4/23: Buford • 4/24: P-Ridge • 4/25: Tucker • 4/26: Fayette • 4/27: Brookwood
Week One Lineup
• 4/14: Roswell • 4/15: Norcross • 4/16: Walton • 4/17: Harrison • 4/18: Camden • 4/19: Newnan • 4/20: Stephenson
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Spring Football Fling: Uncertain coaching situation dogs Douglass
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
• 5/5: Chamblee • 5/6: Grayson • 5/7: N. Gwinnett • 5/8: Douglass
Photos: A look at Douglass
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Douglass in ‘08? Can the ‘Stros overcome so much change? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
Terming a season as a transition year shakes fans and players to the bone. But that is what the Douglass Astros face this fall.
A replacement for six-year head coach Gary Cantrell still has not been found. As a result, Cantrell will run spring practice before leaving the sideline to become an assistant principal at the school this fall.
Under the guidance of Cantrell, the Astros won 45 games and made the state playoffs three of the past four seasons. Talent always has been at the school, but the new coach must replace six starters on defense and offense, including the quarterback position. Rising junior Braylon Williams seems to be the favorite.
Tight end Jonathan Atkinson has been offered by Ole Miss and Central Florida, among several others. And senior running backs Timothy Burrell and Michael Patrick have star potential.
“One of our strengths is athleticism,” Cantrell said. “The one thing I am concerned about is our strength. We are going to match up well against most anybody athletically, but I feel we have not been as strong as some of the other top teams. For us, that has been the difference in the playoffs against the South Georgia teams.”
Douglass Astros
Region 2-AAAAA
Spring practice dates: May 12-22.
Last year’s record: 8-4, lost 31-12 in the second round of the state playoffs to eventual state champion Lowndes.
Reclassification challenge: Does not apply.
Working on: Tackling and blocking. Without a new coach in place, practices will be vanilla since implementing offensive and defensive schemes serve little purpose.
Key starters lost: DB Jaquon Robinson (Air Force); QB Ronald Holiday (South Carolina State); OL Joshua Durden (Morgan State); WR Terry Dawson (Stillman); DE Adrian Drane (Stillman); OL Jamison Reeves (St. Augustine); DB Rodney Wright (Fork Union Prep).
Key starters returning: OLB-TE — Jonathan Atkinson, Sr., (6-3, 205); DL-OL — Garrison Smith, Jr., (6-2, 275); OL-DL Jeremy Adams, Sr., (6-0, 260); RB — Michael Patrick, Sr., (5-8, 175); RB — Timothy Burrell, Sr., (5-11, 195): QB — Braylon Williams, Jr., (6-1, 180).
2008 strengths: Speed and quickness. The interior combo of Adams and Smith could be formidable, and Burrell and Patrick can be game-breakers offensively.
2008 weaknesses: Experience. That not only applies to the players who lost 33 seniors but the coaching staff. The new head coach faces the huge challenge of implementing his philosophy and schemes in a short time period.
This season’s projection: Another playoff appearance is still a possibility, despite the uncertain coaching situation.
Comment: “In terms of turning over the program, I will say that person is going to have a lot of young talent, but we did lose a lot of seniors,” Cantrell said. “The good thing is these kids are used to winning here so I know we have left a good platform to develop.”
Photos: A look at Douglass
Week Three Lineup
• 4/28: Lowndes • 4/29: Parkview • 4/30: Mays • 5/1: Marist • 5/2: Northside-WR • 5/3: Lovett • 5/4: St. Pius
Week Two Lineup
• 4/21: ML King • 4/22: Valdosta • 4/23: Buford • 4/24: P-Ridge • 4/25: Tucker • 4/26: Fayette • 4/27: Brookwood
Week One Lineup
• 4/14: Roswell • 4/15: Norcross • 4/16: Walton • 4/17: Harrison • 4/18: Camden • 4/19: Newnan • 4/20: Stephenson
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Douglass in ‘08? Can the ‘Stros overcome so much change? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
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