There’s a lot of emphasis on accountability with the football program at Southwest DeKalb.
The Panthers have returned to a place of prominence in DeKalb County under coach Damien Wimes, who will start his fourth season as head coach this fall. SWD has gone 27-7 the last three seasons and have won back-to-back region titles.
“Now we have to continue to get better,” Wimes said. “That’s an ongoing process. You don’t just add water and win a state championship.”
Wimes has spent the past few months picking the brains of successful coaches, such as former Tucker and current McEachern coach Franklin Stephens, about ways to push the program – players and coaches – to the next level.
“You have to have a process in place for the kids and also for the coaches,” Wimes said.
Wimes has stressed character development, as well as football development, since he became the head coach. He has sought a commitment from the players, both on and off the field. One big addition is the renovation of the school’s weight room.
“You’ve got to get the kids to continue to buy in,” he said. “It’s not quick fix. They’ve bought in to it being a process of working hard.”
The Panthers lost two major leaders on last year’s 9-2 team – receiver Aquil Muhammad and defensive back Tommy Wright (Appalachian State signee). But there is plenty of experience, including numerous three-year regulars, to keep Southwest DeKalb in the hunt.
Quarterback Rion White is one of the return veterans. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound senior is a three-year starter who threw for 1,702 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2019. He’ll be helped by the return of receiver Robert Grady (27 catches, three touchdowns) and running back Khoreem Miller (546 yards rushing).
SWD also has the advantage of an experienced offensive line, which returns all starters including senior Ervin Scott (6-2, 285) and junior Joshua Parks (6-2, 255).
The Panthers averaged 31.8 points (No. 2 in DeKalb County) and allowed 12.7 points (No. 3 in DeKalb) a year ago.
Southwest DeKalb will compete in the revised Region 6, which lost Arabia Mountain, Miller Grove and Columbia, but added loaded Decatur, King, Northview, St. Pius and Stone Mountain.
“The region will be harder than it’s been and that will make us better coaches,” Wimes said. “It’s a matter of us playing football and putting the focus on playing good football. If we can do that we’ll be successful.”
SWD will also play non-region games against Stockbridge, Hughes, Lithia Springs and Tucker. Of that group, only Hughes failed to make the playoffs.
Now that school has been cancelled for the year and there is no longer an opportunity for spring practice, Wimes said the Panthers will be busy in the summer. They will participate in several passing camps (including the 7-on-7 camp at Georgia Tech) and a couple of contact camps, which can help fill the void left by the absence of spring football.
And Wimes has other things to plan this summer. He and fiance Hillary Harris are engaged to be married in December.
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