NOTE: There are only 30 days left until the start of the 2015 high school football season -- both around the state and right here in northeast Georgia. With that in mind, AccessWDUN is already in full preparation mode. Over the next three weeks we will give you a sneak peek of what’s in store for 2015 with our "Two-A-Days" series. We will bring you two key questions -- and answers -- for each program in our coverage area, twice a day. Each morning will start a new program, with another highlighted each afternoon. And at the end of each week we will also provide some video footage and commentary from area coaches. Programs will run in alphabetical order.
Stephens County coach Frank Barden returned to Toccoa where he was an assistant during the Indians' glory days in the late 1980s to the mid-1990s. After guiding Stephens County to its first playoff win since 2011, Barden, now in his second season, is looking to begin the process of bringing the Indians back onto the state scene as a perennial power.
We caught up with Barden to discuss expectations and who will run their spread attack after graduating a 2,600-all-purpose-yard signal caller from an 8-4 2014 team.
QUESTION: In your second year back in Toccoa, what expectations are you putting on the staff and players as you try to bring Stephens County back to elite status in the state?
ANSWER: I was proud of last year’s team and the seniors for buying into what we wanted to do on a day-to-day basis; in the classroom; in the weight-room; mentally; on the field. For us the intangibles are crucial. Those will lead to the numbers you want on the field. We’re not looking at numbers right now. We just want to get better each practice and then week-to-week. It’s the process of getting better and understanding where you need to be as a freshman all the way through to being a senior. I thought we did a good job last year and now we want to try and step things up with the goal in mind of being one of the best programs in the state.
QUESTION: The quarterback is a key position in the spread attack. You will have to replace last year’s starter, Mason Long, who combined for just over 2,600 yards running and throwing. Who are you looking at and what progress have y’all made since the spring?
ANSWER: We have three guys we’re looking at right now – two sophomores and a junior. So. Jackson Bell played mainly WR last year but was the backup and saw some action. So. A.J. Curry and Jr. Dylan Murphy both saw time at QB on the JV team last year so they are familiar with the system. All three offer something different to the offense and right now we’re giving each one some time to see what they can do. Jackson will take the first reps with the first team but who we decide on will be whoever fits best with what we want to do as a team. It may be better for the team if they start at another position but right now we’re still evaluating. But, I like what I’ve seen from all three to this point.
COMING UP NEXT: Towns County
