COMMERCE — East Jackson coach Gary Hughes said the time is getting closer for his Eagles to turn the corner.
The Eagles hope 2015 is that exact time.
After winning 10 games in 2009, the East Jackson has posted just nine wins since. But the Eagles, with 11 returning starters and a group that has been together for two seasons, have gained valuable game experience in that time, and Hughes believes a couple of early wins is all that is holding them back.
"We just need some confidence," Hughes said. "The numbers are up and we're more talented than last year. Getting some early wins would be huge for us."
They have winnable games against Hebron Christian and Lakeview Academy to open the season but a showdown with rival Banks County in the third game could tell a lot about where they are as a program. The Leopards put a 43-0 drubbing on the Eagles in 2014.
East Jackson will need some confidence when Region 8-AAA play opens against Franklin County. Three teams from 8-AAA advanced to last year's state quarterfinals.
EAST JACKSON: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Eagles
- TEAM COLORS: Silver and Navy blue
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Gary Hughes, third season, 3-17
- 2014 RECORD/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1-9
- KEY LOSSES: DB Taylor Murphy, OL Cole Walden
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Triple-option -- The Eagles like to control the ball on the ground.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. WR Eric Thomas, Jr. WR Sanquan Niles, Jr. QB Josh Adair, Jr. FB Titus Wakefield, Fr. HB Eli Walden, So. HB Justin Saavedra, Sr. OL Cade Hubbard, Jr. OL Conner Beauchamp, Sr. OL Logan Ivester, Jr. OL A.J. Packard, Jr. C Jeremy Wilder
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4 -- East Jackson will look to create turnovers with its linebackers and secondary in a controlled attacking style.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- So. S Justin Saavedra, Sr. S Jamarion Knox, Jr. CB Zeke Upadyay, Jr. CB Nathan Pruschen, Jr. LB Cody Parr, Jr. LB Nathan Elrod, Sr. LB Driston Gaddis, Jr. LB Conor Smith, So. DE Hunter Cronier, So. DE Steve Hill, Sr. NG Logan Pinion
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK Ronan Veal, P So. Justin Saavedra
- STRENGTH: Offensive line -- the Eagles have experience up front. The group has been together for two years and should be able to open holes in the triple-option attack.
- QUESTION: Depth -- the Eagles lack an abundance varsity-ready skill position players. Low numbers have hurt the program the past few years, but the roster is swelling again in 2015.
- KEY GAMES: The first three games could set the tone for the Eagles, who are looking for confidence early as they try to get back a winning posture as a program. However, they play in perhaps the toughest region in Class AAA and finding wins in 8-AAA will be a challenge.
- TRENDING: The Eagles will have a lot more experience in Hughes’s third season, particularly along the offensive line. The numbers are up as a program and if they can find some early wins in their non-region schedule they could be ready to begin turning the corner.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21 at Hebron Christian Academy
Aug. 28 at Lakeview Academy
Sept. 11 vs. Banks County
Sept. 18 vs. Franklin County
Sept. 25 at *Oconee County
Oct. 2 vs. *Morgan County
Oct. 9 at *Hart County
Oct. 16 vs. *Jefferson
Oct. 23 vs. at *Jackson County
Oct. 30 vs. *Elbert County
*- indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
