High school football A championship preview: Wilcox Co. vs. Savannah Christian
CLASS A (Saturday, 1 p.m.)
WILCOX COUNTY VS. SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN
If the perceived strengths and weaknesses of these two teams weave together today, the game could end with scores in the 50s.
Wilcox County’s defensive front isn’t huge, and Savannah Christian may have the best triple-option attack in the state. Savannah Christian’s defense is extremely difficult to run against, but it can beaten with the passing game. The Patriots’ potent passing attack averages almost 300 yards per game.
Both coaches know what to expect.
“It’s going to be two different styles of offense going at each other,” Wilcox county coach Mark Ledford said. “They do a great job of running the ball; we’ve been doing a pretty good job throwing the ball.”
Savannah Christian coach Donald Chumley said the key is that quarterback Nick Marshall and 6-foot-7 receiver Lonnie Outlaw have put together a strong passing attack.
Chumley said he knows that’s where the majority of Wilcox’s production is going to come from, and his defense will have to figure out a way to slow it down.
“It’s not going to be a secret how they’re going to try to attack us,” Chumley said. “They’re going to do exactly what they do best, probably better than anybody I’ve seen in years. They’re going to throw the football all over the field, and we’re going to have to try to defend that.”
If the offenses play to a stalemate, it could come down to special teams, where Savannah Christian could have a decided advantage.
“Anybody who’s a run team prides themselves on special teams,” Chumley said. “We onside kick a whole bunch. If we kick it deep, it’ll be by mistake.”
— Jeff Haws
WILCOX COUNTY (12-2)
The skinny
Irwin County coach John Gamble, whose team lost to Wilcox County 33-12 on Nov. 6, breaks down the Patriots’ offense and defense.
● Offense: “They’re a pro style. They base out of the I-formation, multiple. At the beginning of the year, they ran the ball more out of the I. Late in the year, they started going out of the spread. They’re just so athletic; they can go up and make plays.”
● Defense: “They played us differently than anybody else. We’re a Wing-T. Savannah will probably see a 5-3. Usually, they’ll play a 4-4 defense. They’ve got a really good defensive end and a very good linebacker. They’re very aggressive on defense. I would definitely give the edge to their offense.”
AJC Rating: 28
● Run [3]: (60-80 per game) Clearly, this is a pass-first, pass-second, pass-third team, although Jatarius Jackson is tough to find out of the backfield.
● Pass [9]: (250-280 per game) Outlaw is almost uncoverable at 6-foot-7, and Marshall won’t hesitate to throw it up to him.
● Vs. Run [5]: (175 per game) This defense isn’t going to dominate many teams up front, and you can run the ball on them.
● Vs. Pass [6]: (120 per game) They’ve got some athletes in the secondary, and they will intercept some passes if you make mistakes.
● Special teams [5]: Just average here. They won’t try much on field goals, and their punter is solid.
Need to know basis
● The history: Wilcox is located in Rochelle, a small town 156 miles south of Atlanta. The town got its name, which translates to “Little Rock” in French, from the daughter of a railroad magnate who was in town following a trip to Europe. The Patriots’ home stadium is Patriot Stadium, where Wilcox is 35-17-1 under Mark Ledford since 2001.
● Last year: Wilcox County lost in the quarterfinal round at Lincoln County, 27-12.
Starting lineup
OFFENSE
QB - 14 *Nick Marshall, 6-2, 190
TE - 15 Marcus Griffin, 6-1, 205
RT - 74 Deion Adams, 5-11, 250
RG - 55 Bryce Cohen, 5-10, 215
C - 58 Tommy Fuller, 5-10, 220
LG - 70 Tyler McWhorter, 5-10, 220
LT - 54 Justin Harden, 6-2, 215
RB - 9 Jatarius Jackson, 5-4, 145
WR - 11 *Lonnie Outlaw, 6-7, 190
WR - 21 Stanley Ferguson, 5-7, 135
WR - 2 Quez Mahogony, 6-2, 180
PK - 3 Nate Moorehouse, 5-8, 180
DEFENSE
DE - 22 Tyrell Miller, 6-0, 175
DT - 54 Justin Harden, 6-2, 215
DE - 64 Allen Phillips, 6-0, 175
NT - 52 Greg Jackson, 5-10, 215
LB - 42 Antonio James, 5-8, 200
LB - 31 Chris Coley, 5-8, 190
LB - 2 Quez Mahogony, 6-2, 180
SS - 3 Nate Moorehouse, 5-8, 180
FS - 7 Jonathan Howard, 6-3, 175
CB - 14 *Nick Marshall, 6-2, 190
CB - 10 Makail Grace, 6-0, 165
P - 6 Brandon Lawson, 5-8, 170
* Division 1-A recruits
2009 Results
8/28 Seminole County W 33-20
9/4 Perry W 34-13
9/11 Wilkinson County L 25-21
9/18 Bryan County W 27-6
9/25 Twiggs County L 48-14
10/2 Telfair County W 35-6
10/16 Dooly County W 28-6
10/23 Hawkinsville W 26-10
10/30 Turner County W 41-0
11/6 Irwin County W 33-12
11/13 Treutlen W 23-20
11/20 Greenville W 39-19
11/27 Wesleyan W 20-15
12/4 Clinch County W 20-14
— Jeff Haws
SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN (14-0)
The skinny
Irwin County coach John Gamble, whose team lost to Savannah Christian 14-10 on Nov. 13, breaks down the Raiders’ offense and defense.
● Offense: “They’re triple option. Their offensive line is probably the best I’ve seen in awhile. That’s their strength. They’ve got a very good fullback who can score on any play. They don’t make mistakes offensively. They just nickel and dime you to death.”
● Defense: “Versus us, they were a 5-3 also. They’ll play a little bit of a 4-man front as well, with a 4-3. They have got some studs. They’ve got one of the better interior linemen we saw all year long [DeAngelo Brown]. They’ve got probably the best linebackers we’ve seen.”
AJC Rating: 38
● Run [10]: (300 per game) They run the triple option as well as anybody in the state. Their offensive line isn’t huge, but it’s nearly flawless, technically.
● Pass [5]: (50-100 per game) They’ll do some quick throws and play action, but this offense is very much predicated on the run.
● Vs. Run [9]: (75-100 per game) They have a big, talented defensive line that is very tough to push off the ball.
Vs. Pass [5]: (150-175 per game) If you’re going to get their defense, this is probably where you’ll have to do it. And Wilcox is certainly capable.
● Special Teams [9]: It’s not a booming kicker that makes their special teams, well, special. It’s their innovation and unpredictability. They’ll onside kick, go for two and use different formations constantly.
Need to know basis
● The history: Savannah Christian Preparatory School is located in Savannah, a city well-known for its historical roots. It was Georgia’s first capital city, first when Georgia was a colony and then as a state. The Raiders’ home stadium is Garden City Stadium, where they are 26-5 under Donald Chumley since 2005.
● Last year: Savannah Christian lost to Miller County 20-13 in the second round of the playoffs.
Starting lineup
OFFENSE
QB - 16 Harrison Curry, 5-10, 190
TE - 53 Mason Crecey, 5-11, 180
RT - 50 Charlie Ferrell, 6-2, 215
RG - 52 Caleb Womble, 6-0, 245
C - 60 Ben McMahn, 6-0, 225
LG - 58 J.P. Royal, 5-11, 220
LT - 64 Josh Gay, 6-4, 265
FB - 26 Christopher Barnwell, 5-11, 190
RB - 20 Will Auston, 5-10, 185
RB - 21 T.J. Franklin, 5-10, 175
WR - 83 Chris Kehrer, 6-2, 180
WR - 17 Taylor Ivey, 6-2, 170
PK - 5 Tim McCarthy, 5-9, 160
DEFENSE
DE - 56 Charles Morton, 6-1, 215
DT - 72 Cooper Lemonds, 6-0, 220
DT - 85 John Burke, 6-2, 235
NT - 77 DeAngelo Brown, 6-1, 250
LB - 42 Eric Wickham, 6-2, 240
LB - 33 Tanner Burch, 6-3, 215
LB - 41 Hal Davis, 6-0, 180
CB - 31 Ryan Bacon, 6-0, 175
CB - 22 Lamir Cohens, 6-0, 170
SS - 9 Kenny Katzmen, 6-2, 190
FS - 1 Nardo Govan, 6-5, 220
P - 7 Mac Miller, 6-0, 160
2009 Results
8/28 Montgomery County W 34-0
9/4 Emanuel County Institute W 34-0
9/11 Wheeler County W 46-19
9/17 Jenkins W 34-14
10/2 Claxton W 27-0
10/9 Bryan County W 40-7
10/16 Savannah Country Day W 55-14
10/23 Calvary Day W 20-10
10/30 Portal W 21-7
11/5 Jenkins County W 35-12
11/13 Irwin County W 14-10
11/20 Miller County W 28-13
11/27 Lincoln County W 7-0
12/4 Darlington W 24-10
—Jeff Haws
