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 Irwin County head coach Buddy Nobles, whose team advanced to the finals with a 23-6 victory over Pelham last week.
Buddy Nobles, Irwin County head coach
1. Pelham had set scoring records this season. What did you do well Friday that allowed you to slow them down? "Our defensive coordinator, Casey Soliday, and his staff [Troy Fletcher, Clayton Sirmans and Howard Jordan] had a great game plan of making Pelham drive and limit their big plays. We knew they would get some plays because they are athletic and well-coached. We also wanted to consume the clock with our offense, and that would keep the Pelham offense off the field."
2. You've got a bunch of good players, but one who gets a lot of deserved credit is D.J. Lundy. What does he do well that poses problems for the other team? "I know everyone knows about D.J., but we are very fortunate to have a great group of athletic, tough kids here in Ocilla. This team has great team chemistry. That is the hardest thing to coach. I think D.J.'s toughness along with his mobility is his strength. He can run around you or he is able to run you over and break tackles when he needs to. People don't realize how athletic and fast he is for a big man [6 feet, 225 pounds]. Someone at the next level is going to get a great young man and player."
3. You've got another shot at Clinch County. What do they do well? What most concerns you about them? "Clinch is very athletic and hard-nosed. The things I think they have going for them is that their kids have been on this type of stage for years by either playing in big games or watching other Clinch teams play on the big stage. Being experienced in those big games and having the offensive scheme that they have is what makes them so tough. My concern as always when we play them is to keep making them huddle up and limit their big plays. Limit their opportunities. That is so hard with their athleticism and the scheme you face that you can do a great job for so long then they bust a big play."
4. This is your fourth state final in five years. You're still knocking on the door of the school's first state title since 1975. Obviously, Clinch County has been the biggest obstacle in the past. What's the message to your team to help them finally get that grand prize? "My goal is to get our kids to focus on the job at hand and to make plays. Make plays at practice! Make plays while watching film! Make plays in the game! If we can do that and that is our best we can do, then I am satisfied that we will be able give them a game."
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