Football 2013: Title run in the past, GHS focused on future

GAINESVILLE -- Bruce Miller has enjoyed the pats on the back, congratulations and adulation.<br /> <br /> Miller also knows that's now finished -- and he's not alone.<br /> <br /> The Gainesville football coach says his team has worked hard on putting last season's historic championship run out of its collective minds and is focusing squarely on 2013.<br /> <br /> "The one thing you worry about is people getting satisfied and relaxing, trying to get off that high and get back to work. But our kids did a very good job of that," Miller said. "Only time will tell, but I think they did a very good job of readjusting. Thank goodness we've got several kids back that have been starting for us for several years and they know how to handle expectation."<br /> <br /> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/72421298" width="500" height="375" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/72421298">2013 Gainesville Preview</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/wduntv">WDUN TV</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /> <br /> That, of course, includes 2012 Class AAAAA player of the year Deshaun Watson, and the quarterback -- whom opposing fans and coaches must feel has been playing at Gainesville for decades by now -- is determined to cap his incredible career with more success.<br /> <br /> "He told me after last season that, 'I want to get my feet better and read defenses better,' " Miller said of a player, who, in 2012, set state records for career all-purpose touchdowns (155), career passing yards (9,360) and career passing touchdowns (108). "He's called his own plays, off and on, and he's checked us out of good plays into great plays. He does a great job of seeing what's going to work."<br /> <br /> And Watson -- who threw for 4,011 yards (while completing 70 percent of his passes), rushed for 1,430 yards and compiled a dizzying 75 total touchdowns last season -- will again be surrounded by plenty of talent at the skill positions.<br /> <br /> Despite graduating three standout receivers, the Red Elephants may be even deeper at the position this season with returning standout Rodney Lackey (team-high 69 catches, 981 yards, 15 TDs in 2012) joined by Jay Gaudlock (35 catches, 314, 4 TDs), Chastin Newman (18 catches, 231 yards, 3 TDs), Orrin Ragland (7 catches, 51 yards, TD) and newcomers Josh Holderfield and Chris Williamson. Junior running back Michael Byrd (705 yards rushing, 8 TDs) is also dynamic threat in the backfield.<br /> <br /> "I feel like our skill people are very, very good. They could be explosive," Miller said. "But they've got to make plays and that remains to be seen. Will they make the critical catch on a third and 10 situation in a big ballgame?"<br /> <br /> The other question comes on the offensive line, where the Red Elephants must replace stalwart center Chase England -- the man who got Watson the ball on every snap of 2012. <br /> <br /> Gainesville's defensive front also faces some questions in 2013, as the Red Elephants look to fill voids left by graduated standouts Connor Calvert and Damian Grayson, among others. Jamel Dabney and Colton Quinones will combine with Kash Jones, Terrall Hendrix and Jeremy Ingram to provide a push up front and clear space for a talented and deep linebacker corps.<br /> <br /> Senior Devan Stringer (leading tackler in 2012 with 179 stops), Jadarius Sosebee, Brenquez Dukes, Brenquese Dukes and Jack Cumisky will form an athletic and hard-nosed unit that excels at gang-tackling in the ever-shifting and attacking Red Elephants defense.<br /> <br /> Perhaps the biggest hole to fill for Gainesville comes in the secondary, where Fred Payne led the way in 2012. Senior Chandler Newton and junior Lewis Cousins will look to make up for Payne's graduation, while Brenton Merritt and Chris Byrd will feature at corner.<br /> <br /> "I think we'll lack a little depth that we had at end of last year. But I think you always start out worrying about depth," Miller said. "We're trying to develop depth right now. It's a process."<br /> <br /> Gainesville is also settled in the kicking game after the rise of Gage Turner in 2012. Now a senior, Turner has worked hard to hone his craft, and with games against West Forsyth and Buford to start the season, he could be a key factor early.<br /> <br /> "Nothing's going to be easy; and now we've got even more of a bull's-eye on our backs," Miller said. "We're just trying to get ready and looking at the first game of the season."<br /> <br /> The celebrations, which for Red Elephants' players ended with spring workouts, are now officially over.