JEFFERSON — Brandon Worley knew how tough it would be walking into Region 8-AAA as a new head coach -- which is why he's glad to have Jackson County's senior class to help him along.
The Panthers feature a veteran group of players -- including 10 of 11 senior starters on offense -- that the first-year head coach says is eager to improve on last season's tough campaign that was in no way aided by a number of key injuries.
Worley, the former offensive cooridinator at Dacula, brings with him plenty of changes to a program that Benji Harrison helped turn around, reaching the state playoffs in two of his three campaigns -- including a new style of offense that will lean more on the power ground game than in recent years. A strong offensive front will aid that effort, as well as a deep group of running backs. Meanwhile, the Panthers will likely rotate quarterbacks, each of whom are stellar athletes in their own right and might plow forward just as much.
Worley admits it hasn't always been easy, but he believes this group has made the most of the transition and is ready to move forward.
JACKSON COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Panthers
- TEAM COLORS: Black, Red and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Brandon Worley, first season
- 2014 RECORD/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2-8
- KEY LOSSES: QB Jacob Lewis, WR Caleb Smith, OL Silas Vincent, CB Todd Woodring
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Pro-style -- The Panthers will look to be balanced and will rely on a veteran offensive line and running back corps to lead the way early
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. RB Malik Tuck, Sr. WR Chase Wester, Sr. FB Friffin McElvery, Sr. QB Jace Latty, Jr. QB Caleb Matthews, Sr. OL Tyler Sartain, Sr. OL Justin Bailey, Sr. OL Luke Sanders
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 5-3 -- Jackson County will be aggressive, trying to force opposing offenses into mistakes via an experienced unit.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 8 returning starters -- Sr. DL Jorge Monzon, Sr. LB Griffin McElvery, Jr. DL Mason Williams, Sr. OLB Austin Lewis, Sr. DB Cole Alford, Sr. DB Antonio Strickland
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK Easton Tuggle, P Chase Wester/Antonio Strickland, Sr. KR Antonio Strickland, Sr. KR Chase Wester
- STRENGTH: Senior class/running backs/offensive line -- Worley has been extraordinarily impressed with this group, which he says is hungry and helped smooth the transition. Ten of the 11 starters on offense will be seniors -- including those looking to carry the ball and those blocking for them.
- QUESTION: Cohesion -- With so many changes in style, the coaching staff is still looking to make sure everyone is the right fit and working well together.
- KEY GAMES: Each of Jackson County's four non-region games could prove key. For a new coaching staff and players feeling their way into new systems the season opener will of course be important on the road at Madison County. A trip to state playoff regular White County the week after (Sept. 4) will also show the Panthers just how much they have improved, while Rabun County (Sept. 11) could be as strong a test as Jackson County receives in Region 8-AAA. Speaking of which, the 8-AAA schedule includes four teams that won in the state playoffs last season, including the league opener against cross-town rival Jefferson (Sept. 25).
- TRENDING: The Panthers came back down from two straight postseason trips last season -- the injury bug taking its toll along route. With changes afoot throughout the program it's difficult to tell just how things will fare for Jackson County -- which plays a murderous schedule. Yet Worley has been plenty impressed by his charges and believes they will give themselves a chance to be competitive out of the gates.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 at Madison County
Sept. 4 at White County
Sept. 11 vs. Rabun County
Sept. 18 vs. East Hall
Sept. 25 at *Jefferson
Oct. 2 vs. *Oconee County
Oct. 9 at *Elbert County
Oct. 16 vs. *Hart County
Oct. 23 vs. *East Jackson
Nov. 6 at *Morgan County
* - Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
