MT. AIRY — The signs were there last season, and now Benji Harrison believes his Habersham Central football team is ready to make a giant leap forward.
"The comfort level with everybody is there now. The kids know us; we know them, and we can start to set expectations higher now," said Harrison, who is embarking on year two of a rebuilding effort following a tough four-season stretch for the Raiders that saw them win just three games after moving into the state's largest classification.
No longer is Habersham playing the largest schools in the state -- though the competition is sure to remain fierce in the newly-aligned Region 8-AAAAAA, which features Apalachee, Dacula, Gainesville, Lanier and Winder-Barrow. But it's not so much the competition as Habersham itself that has Harrison optimistic about the future.
"There's a lot to be excited about," Harrison said. "There's no doubt in these kids' minds that they're going to have success -- but we need some wins to solidify that."
Players like Michael Babers will give the Raiders a chance to do just that. The running back, who put up over 1,300 yards last season, has the size, speed and vision to make him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Meanwhile, quarterback Cole Wilbanks is a year older and could be set for a big season in Harrison's spread attack.
Defensively, the front-seven should be solid, led by players like Jake Jones (linebacker), Austin Frady (defensive line) and Dylan Holcomb (defensive line).
The big question is at offensive line, where Habersham must replace its entire starting front, but Harrison sees plenty of talent at the position -- though it must prove itself in the fire of Friday nights.
Harrison also says his entire squad must play with physicality and that they're buying into the concept wholeheartedly.
"From the first snap we have to play with greater effort and be the more physical team every time we play," Harrison said. "On defense we preach 11 hats to the ball, and the kids are really showing that every day in practice."
HABERSHAM CENTRAL: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Raiders
- TEAM COLORS: Blue and Orange
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AAAAAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Benji Harrison, second season, 1-9
- 2015 RECORD/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1-9
- KEY LOSSES: WR Marcus Wilbanks, WR Mason Kinsey, OL Carson Ivester, OL Clay Nelson, OLB Cody Patterson, CB Jeremy Jones
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread, multiple -- The Raiders want to use speed on the perimeter and power up the middle to stay aggressive and keep defenses on their heels. Harrison used the system to impressive effect at Jackson County and at Flowery Branch before that.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 4 returning starters -- Sr. RB Michael Babers (1,300-plus yards rushing in 2015), Sr. QB Cole Wilbanks, Sr. WR Aaron Wood, Jr. WR Bryce Tanner, Jr. OL Schaefer Almoyen, Jr. OL Bryan Mason
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4 -- Like its offense, Habersham wants to put pressure on opponents and will move around pre-snap in an effort to find different angles of attack. A big emphasis has been put on stopping long-yardage plays this season.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. DE Austin Frady, Sr. LB Jake Jones, Sr. DE Dylan Holcomb, Sr. Saf Trey Hurt
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. PK/P Hampton Hotard, Jr. PK Jonathan Bailes, kick returning duties undecided as of publication time
- STRENGTH: Skilled positions/linebackers -- There is no doubt that Babers is an all-star, while Wilbanks has plenty of ability, and coaches hope that duo can help smooth the transition for a new offensive line. Meanwhile, the linebacker corps is both deep and physical.
- QUESTION: Offensive line -- There is plenty of talent in the trenches, but it has yet to prove itself on Friday nights for the Raiders.
- KEY GAMES: The season opener against a surging East Hall will tell the Raiders a lot about their strengths and question marks, while White County (Sept. 2) will provide an interesting test against a border rival that Habersham has played few times (the Raiders lead the series 4-2). The big non-region game will come against Habersham's most intense rival in Stephens County -- a foe back on the schedule for the first time since 2013 and one that the Raiders have not defeated since 1996. Habersham opens the Region 8-AAAAAA schedule by hosting Gainesville (Oct. 7). In fact the Raiders' first three region contests (Lanier and Dacula follow the Red Elephants) promise to be their toughest against programs a combined 24-10 a season ago.
- TRENDING: After winning just three games in four seasons combined, Habersham believes it is on its way back up and will benefit both from its second year under Harrison's staff and a shift into a region against schools with more similar populations. That said, Harrison notes his team must have early success to validate the work put in this offseason and build momentum toward that region slate.
2016 SCHEDULE
Aug. 19 vs. East Hall
Sept. 2 at White County
Sept. 9 vs. Franklin County
Sept. 16 at Stephens County
Sept. 23 at Chestatee
Oct. 7 vs. *Gainesville
Oct. 14 at *Lanier
Oct. 21 vs. *Dacula
Oct. 28 at *Winder-Barrow
Nov. 4 vs. *Apalachee
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
