WINDER — Winder-Barrow coach Heath Webb made no bones about it.
“The records are something we’re aware of. We’ve talked about them as a team.”
The reference was to the 1993 Winder-Barrow team that went 11-3 and advanced to the Class AAA semifinals that season. The wins and the semifinal appearance are both still the benchmark for the program. In fact, no Winder-Barrow team has won a playoff game since, and only five teams have even made the playoffs during that stretch.
Webb said his squad has set its sights on changing that. And for Webb and the current Bulldoggs, it has started to become about more than just wins and losses. It’s about a legacy
The core of the current seniors -- quarterback Brock Landis, offensive linemen Jared Johnson, Trey Hill, and Tyreek Norman, wide receiver Trace Wells, and cornerbacks Josh Sims and Peige Moore -- have led Winder to three straight playoff appearances. And they are looking for way more in 2017.
“This is my fourth year here, and this group has helped build the program back up,” Webb said. “I started with these seniors. This is a special group to me. We’ve talked about them leaving a legacy for the ones to follow. I want them to have a special year.”
Things already are taking on a special tone just four games in. The Bulldoggs are 4-0, their best start since 2007, and ranked ninth in Class AAAAAA -- their first state ranking since 1994 according to Georgia High School Football Historians Association. A win Friday night over North Oconee (1-3) would give them their best start since that 1993 team opened 5-0. The 1989 team (10-1) is the only Winder-Barrow team to complete an undefeated regular season.
The Titans may be just the opponent to help them match history. North Oconee has struggled mightily since a state quarterfinals appearance in 2014. The Titans are just 2-16 in their last 18 games going back to the 2015 season and are just 1-8 in their last nine games at Titans Stadium.
Landis is having perhaps his best season to date, going 54-for-102 passing with 733 yards and 7 touchdowns against just three interceptions. He had more INTs in 2016 (16) than TD passes (15). Junior running back Jamar Mack (76 carries, 360 yards 3 TDs) and senior wide receiver Jaidon Turner (14 receptions, 228 yards, 2 TDs) have helped provide Landis with some bristling weapons. And while Landis sometimes tried to do too much during stretches of last season, this year's experienced offensive line has allowed the quarterback to spread the ball around.
“The line has been real good and we felt it was a strength of the team coming into the season,” Webb said. “The run game has been good; they’ve protected Brock and that has allowed him to not have to feel like he has to make every play. His numbers may not end up being as big as last year but Brock is having his best season without question. He’s been a leader out there for us.”
And balance on offense has been the real key with seven different receivers catching touchdown passes and four different players posting rushing touchdowns as the Bulldoggs have averaged 34.2 points per game.
The defense has also proven a catalyst, allowing just 78 points (19.5 ppg) with much of that coming against back-up Bulldoggs in late-game action. In fact Winder's No. 1 defensive starters have surrendered just 42 points (10.5 ppg) so far. Winder has also forced 11 turnovers -- seven interceptions, four fumble recoveries.
During the spring and summer, Webb felt a key ingredient was closing the talent gap between his Bulldoggs and the top teams in Region 8-AAAAAA -- Dacula, Gainesville, and Lanier. The 4-0 start may have the rest of the region taking notice, but Webb said there’s only one way to know if they have truly narrowed things.
“I feel like we’ve made significant progress already this year,” said Webb, who guided the program to its first playoff berth in 10 years when he took over in 2014. “This is a big week for us only from the standpoint that there is a milestone that they can hit. Being 5-0 would be exciting but it would be short-lived because the important thing is to just take things one week at a time.
"As for narrowing the gap, we probably won’t really know if we have until we play those teams. The main thing in my mind that was the biggest gap was on the lines of scrimmage. We were behind the top teams with our line play. But this is by far the best line we’ve had since I’ve been here. I think we can compete with them.”
When asked, however, Webb hesitated before answering if the program had officially "turned the corner." He then borrowed some NASCAR terminology.
“I’d say we’re in the turn as far as advancing the program where we want it to be,” he said of a program that went 22-78 from 2004-2013. “I think the full turn and hitting the straightaway won’t be until we win in the playoffs.
“But the ultimate goal isn’t just to win one game in the playoffs. We’re trying to build a consistent winner that will challenge every year for region titles and beyond. We have a good junior class and some real talented younger players coming up so we feel real good about where we have things. I’d say right now there’s cautious optimism. You have to take things one day, one week, one game at a time. If you’re looking to far down the road, you usually get run over.”
So far, no one has come close to touching these Bulldoggs, and they hope that fast start is just that -- the start.
WINDER-BARROW at NORTH OCONEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Titans Stadium, Bogart
-- WINDER-BARROW (4-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Loganville 17-14 last week; the Bulldoggs are ranked ninth in Class AAAAAA.
-- NORTH OCONEE (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 47-20 to Clarke Central last week
-- NOTABLE: Winder-Barrow leads series 1-0. The Bulldoggs won 38-0 in 2016.
