TOCCOA — With 90 percent of its offensive production from 2014 having graduated, Stephens County's top priority will be finding some suitable replacements.
It won't hurt, however, that the Indians return four of their five starting offensive lineman, including University of Georgia-commit Ben Cleveland, and coach Frank Bearden said they will alter how they run his patented spread attack.
"We will probably run the ball a lot more than most people do in the spread," Bearden said. "But you have to play to your strengths and ours is on the line for sure."
Stephens County will look to a core of younger players, including sophomore quarterback Jackson Bell, who moved from wide receiver, and junior running back A.J. Howard, who moved from linebacker, to make the difference in 2015.
STEPHENS COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Indians
- TEAM COLORS: Red & Black
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AAAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Frank Barden, second season, 8-4
- 2014 RECORD/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 8-4, reached Class AAAA second round
- KEY LOSSES: QB Mason Long, RB Desmond Wheeler, WR Isaiah Mighill, DE Gary Walker
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- The Indians may look to the run a little more, but will try to attack with balance
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. OL Ben Cleveland (Georgia-commit), Sr. OL Vonquiz Nicely, Sr. OL Graham Fierra Sr. OL Gevarius Brown, Sr. RB Tyrik Cunningham, So. QB Jackson Bell (moved from WR), Jr. RB A.J. Howard
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 4-3 -- Stephens County will look to lean on its front line early in the season.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. DE Ben Cleveland, Jr. LB A.J. Howard, Sr. LB Tyrik Combs, Jr. DT Anthony Pasco, Sr. DB Micah Oglesby, Sr. DB Jermaine Barnett, Jr. DB London Harbin
- SPECIAL TEAMS: So. PK Luke Pearson, So. P A.J. Curry
- STRENGTH: Offensive line -- With four returning starters, this unit should help drive the running game. Meanwhile, the defense should be experienced but replacing Walker on the DL will be a key.
- QUESTION: Youth at offensive skill positions -- Long, Wheeler, and Mighill constituted 90 percent of the Indians' offense in 2014 and must be replaced.
- KEY GAMES: The Indians have a tough beginning with three of their first four games on the road, including their 8-AAAA opener at The Brickyard vs. North Hall. And, they also have the toughest finish in 8-AAAA with road games vs. North Oconee and Buford to close out the regular season.
- TRENDING: The Indians have been on the upswing and their new spread attack has brought renewed interest into the program. Bearden, an assistant on the Indians' last state title game team in 1988 -- a 12-7 loss to Thomasville -- is looking to bring them back onto the state scene.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 vs. Franklin County
Sept. 4 at Elbert County
Sept. 11 at Blue Ridge, Greer S.C.
Sept. 25 at *North Hall
Oct. 2 vs. *Monroe Area
Oct. 9 at *White County
Oct. 16 vs. *Chestatee
Oct. 23 vs. *Madison County
Oct. 30 at *North Oconee
Nov. 6 at *Buford
*- indicates region game
(All contests start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
