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DEL.ICIO.USSpring 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.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Spring Football
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Comments
By Frederick (Bailey) Douglass
May 8, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Rob, you know how it is on the Westside. Poor, ego maniac coaching, super athletes, improving facilities. I hope that the decision making body takes the time to bring in someone that wants what BEST for the kids in becoming MEN. Winning football games will take care of itself along the way.
Nothing against Cantrell (I don’t know much about him), but the coaching at Doug High has not always matched the talent pool. Now that the facilities have improved, the responsibility lies squarely on the coaches.
Remember…avoid the jack drinking, skirt-chasing coaches of the past. Bring in a Black super-hero…
…and above all else, DON’T let the MAYS HIGH COCKRAIDERS beat you. How feminine can you be: Baby Blue and Mustard?!?!?
By AstroFan
May 8, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
I always called it Powder Blue and Canary Yellow. I would really like to see Stanley Pritchett in there as the head man. He has it all, respect, NFL experience, and I’m sure he’ll be a great person for those to look up to. Go Astros!
By Panther Fan
May 8, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
Hey,
Carver is the talk of the city. As a matter of fact, Carver is the best team in the city of Atlanta. They’ll prove it this year. It’s funny. 3 years ago, they were horrible. Now, they are on the verge of becomming a state power. The real question is why they were not profiled for this series? It’s cool. They will have a lot of press come the season and signing day.
Good Day.
By AstroFan
May 8, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Funny, a Grey Knight fan said that same thing about 3 years ago, so the coaches set up a game to see who the best was in the city, and I guess we all know what the outcome of that was. I got great respect for Coach Myles and the Carver program, but in order to be the best in the, you gotta beat the best in a regular season game. Until then, #2 is where you’ll be. Still gotta beat Washington, Mays, and Grady.
By Jag Blu
May 8, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
Keep working hard astros! We still look forward to you being a formidable competitor when we dance the last game of the regular season. Win or lose, we look forward to playing you. Don’t let the lack of a coach keep you from working your hardest. You are in this for the team and not the coach. Step up rising seniors.
By DT
May 9, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
I agree with the person who mentioned strength. Doug High has always had talent, but when they cross the Macon line it becomes difficult. South Ga football foundation is built on conditioning and strength. When a quarterback bench presses 315 lbs in South Ga. and linebacker in the city of Atl benches the same, something is wrong with that picture. Hit the weights “city boys” and lets improve the quality of football here in the city of Atlanta. I love high school football. Let’s Go Dough!
By DT
May 9, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
I agree with the person who mentioned strength. Doug High has always had talent, but when they cross the Macon line it becomes difficult. South Ga football foundation is built on conditioning and strength. When a quarterback bench presses 315 lbs in South Ga. and linebacker in the city of Atl benches the same, something is wrong with that picture. Hit the weights “city boys” and lets improve the quality of football here in the city of Atlanta. I love high school football. Let’s Go Doug!
By fan
May 9, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
i am happy for carver but the team that carry the city is washington for over 10 yrs. i hope all nine school we have make it to the playoff we need to be on the same page all the teams the city need to step up
By Frederick (Bailey) Douglass
May 9, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
AstroFan,
Stanley P., former Astro tight end, would indeed be a good candidate for the job. He is young, and could be innovative. Question: Is he coaching somewhere now? Does he have experience?
We need a Buck Godfrey type that will demand the respect of the young men. Go get a good talent evaluator too. If you know like I know, our past has included the coaches playing folks in the wrong positions, and relying too heavily on particular players (when they get hurt we lose).
**I like your reference to powder blue and canary yellow. Its all LOVE, but I remember when they went 4-5 seasons without winning a game. They were terrible. That was a great time in Atlanta football.
Question for the Astro Fans: Who is the greatest football player in Astro football history?
By Panther Fan
May 9, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Well, Carver starts off with Mays, then Washington in week 4 or so, then Grady in week 6. So We’ll see them all. Also, if you remember those games against Grady, you all barely won. As a matter of fact, if it wasn’t for the shooting in the parking lot last year, you all would have lost that game. Grady is a 3AAA school. It should have been a blowout.
Don’t forget that Coach Myles and Coach Polk were the ones that put Douglass on the map back in the late 90’s. Now just give us a few years they’ll be on top. Well, they’ll still be on top.
By Frederick (Bailey) Douglass
May 9, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
…and for the folks that mentioned Washington, Grady and Carver in the same breath as Douglass…WAKE UP. You play in the junior leagues…we play in the MAJOR league. Our B-Team would compete against your varsity…TRUST.
Another question…who is the greatest football player to ever come out of an Atlanta Public School? My vote goes to the legendary QB from Southwest High School (Flanagan). What do you think?
By da man at cb
May 9, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
No way carver washington mays grady or any one else in the city is better than douglass. we have a high player profile james davis (clemson) jamal lewis (browns)ahman carroll aka batman we our da truth ask the scouts lets do doug high
By LP
August 26, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Doug will be fine if they just lose the cocky, greater than you attitude. I don’t know who told them they were one of the best schools or even close to it. The parents act just as worst as the kids and the apples don’t fall too far from the tree. Don’t be As Ho’s be Astros without the attitude and you may be great.
By Lady Bug
August 26, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Hi Astros, Miss ya but the college life is great. I wish you the best of luck. Please no cocky attitudes this year, we don’t have to prove nothing to anyone, actions speak louder than words. Go Astro’s!!!!!!!!!!!!!