HOMER — A new head coach, five new offensive linemen, and a new region. Despite the changes, however, Banks County head man Josh Shoemaker feels 2016 could be the year his Leopards finally get over the hump.
Shoemaker has been part of the Leopards program the last three seasons, and, as the offensive line coach, he said the changes may not have as big an impact as some may think.
"The transition has been very smooth," the coach said. "I know the kids, and we've worked with (the seniors) since the ninth grade so there hasn't been much to change. Our biggest thing has been finding a new (offensive) line, and I decided to stay at that position as well to keep their progress going instead of having to bring in a new coach and spend a lot of time getting him familiar with what we do. I think it's worked out pretty well so far."
Banks County finished 5-5 each of the last two campaigns with late-season swoons costing the Leopards a shot at the playoffs. But Banks County does return senior quarterback Griffin Goodwin (1,200 yards passing in 2015, 13 TDs), senior running back Demetrius Walker (550 yards rushing, 3 TDs), and junior running back Clayton Dykehouse to give them plenty of firepower at the skilled positions.
They also return seven players on defense, led by a talented group of linebackers in seniors Zach Lehotsky and Demetrius Walker, junior Marshall Pace, and sophomore Terrance Walker, with senior Cole Griffin anchoring the line.
The key to the season may come down to the middle three games of their Region 8-AA schedule against Oglethorpe County, Social Circle, and Putnam County. Those are sandwiched between road games at Rabun County, a Class AA quarterfinalist in 2015, and Elbert County, a Class AAA quarterfinalist in 2015, to close out the season.
BANKS COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Leopards
- TEAM COLORS: Blue and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Josh Shoemaker, first season, 0-0
- 2015 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 5-5
- KEY LOSSES: OL Tyler Bryant, OL Logan Galloway, OL Cole Jones, OL Zack Patrick, OL Jody Poole, RB/LB Trevae Cain (1,400 yards, 16 TD), WR Zez Steeple, RB/DBLogan Hubbard
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: 1-back multiple formations -- The Leopards are looking for balance, but will run to set up the pass.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Sr. QB Griffin Goodwin (1,200 yards passing in 2015, 8 TDs), Sr. RB Demetrius Walker (550 yards rushing, 3 TDs), Jr. RB Clayton Dykehouse, Sr. OL Cole Griffin, Sr. WR Judd Roberts
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4 -- Banks County likes to attack when the opportunity presents itself to create big plays.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. LB Zach Lehotsky, Jr. LB Marshall Pace, Sr. LB Demetrius Walker, So. LB Terrrance Walker, Sr. DL Cole Griffin
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. P Tyler Autry, Sr. PK Ramiro Cuadra
- STRENGTH: Senior leadership -- With Goodwin at QB and a good secondary, along with seven starters back on defense, the Leopards have plenty to build on.
- QUESTION: Offensive line -- The Leopards will have to rebuild their entire offensive front with five new starters
- KEY GAMES: The Leopards have a challenging non-region schedule, including Jackson County, Commerce, and Union County. But Shoemaker said his team's region opener against Monticello will set the tone for their playoff chances.
- TRENDING: The Leopards are still on the upswing despite a disappointing finish to 2015. New head coach Shoemaker has been in the program for three seasons and the transition has been smooth so far. Despite rotating three different head coaches over the last eight seasons (Shoemaker is now the fourth in nine), Banks County has continued to battle and been very close to developing into a consistent winner, going 39-47 over that time. And back-to-back 5-5 campaigns could be the base for a launch into a higher stratosphere.
2016 SCHEDULE
Aug. 19 vs. Jackson County
Aug. 26 at Commerce
Sept. 2 at Johnson
Sept. 16 vs. Union County
Sept. 23 vs. *Monticello
Sept. 30 at *Rabun County
Oct. 14 vs. *Oglethorpe County
Oct. 21 vs. *Social Circle
Oct. 28 at *Putnam County
Nov. 4 at *Elbert County
*- Indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
