GHSF Daily's Four Questions feature historically poses the same questions to a different Georgia head coach each issue. This season, head coaches are being asked Four Questions tailored to current events. Today's interviewee is Eastside head coach Troy Hoff, whose team defeated Woodward Academy 38-31 on Friday after trailing 24-7 at halftime. The victory against the two-time defending Region 4-AAAA champion put Eastside in position for its first region title since 2009.
Troy Hoff, Eastside head coach
1. What was the significance of that win for your program, and how did it rank as far as thrilling or satisfying for you as a coach? "It was an extremely significant game because it was a region game on the road against a great program and team. They don't lose very much, especially at home. Being down 24-7 at the half, it was satisfying to see our guys continue to play the next snap and not worry about the scoreboard."
2. Didn't the game turn on a pick six? If you were compiling an ESPN top 10 of the biggest/most exciting plays you've seen on Eastside's sidelines, where would that rank? And how did you look on the sideline as that play unfolded, animated or calm? "Jeff Haynes' interception return for a touchdown put us ahead 38-31 in the fourth quarter [with 1:20 left]. That play would have to be in the top five considering the game we were in, where we were at in the game and it being the play that put us ahead. After the interception, his return came towards our sideline, so it happened right in front of us. Jeff runs track and has great speed, so once he got to the hash I knew he was gone. I was actually pretty calm - we still had lot of football to play."
3. You're scoring 39.5 points per game compared to 26.2 last year. The school record is 31.50 set in 1999. What's happening on offense this season that has you on a roll? "It all starts up front with the offensive line playing physical and giving our skill players opportunities to make plays. We also have an unselfish crew who has bought into the team concept and take pride in blocking for each other. They understand that every person on the field has to do their job in order to be successful as a unit. When that happens, more opportunities come when you touch the football. We've also been a more balanced offense this year, and that is helping us get more of our skill players involved in multiple ways."
4. This is the school's first 6-0 start, with a fair shot at 10-0 [favored in the final four games, according to the Maxwell Ratings.] Eastside has gone as far as the semifinals of state, in 2009. What are the prospects of this team? What makes you confident, and what are your concerns? "We emphasize and stress focusing on the next play - the one you have control over. We have another region game Friday night, so anything beyond that is irrelevant at this point. I'm confident in this team because they love to compete and they get after it in practice. They understand the importance of the weekly preparation needed in order to be in a position to win on game day. There are always concerns, as we have plenty of things to get better at in all phases of the game. Each week is a new challenge, and part of that is having an understanding of what it took to be successful and be in this position." [Eastside plays Salem (4-2, 3-0) on Friday in a game between the remaining unbeaten teams in region play.]
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