WINDER -- Heath Webb took over Winder-Barrow football with one immediate goal in mind: change the culture.<br />
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That's easier said than done for a team that has not posted a winning season since 2003.<br />
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Yet first-year coach Webb says he is already starting to see signs of change in his Bulldoggs just two games into the season -- starting with last week's 26-20 defeat of arch-rival Apalachee.<br />
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"I was able to hire eight new coaches when I came in, and that's been a big part of the culture change -- and now we're starting to see some of the fruits of our labor," Webb said. "The kids have put in a ton of work, and we're proud of that."<br />
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All that effort will be put to a severe test this Friday, as the buoyant Bulldoggs head to City Park to face a Gainesville team itching for a bounce back. The Red Elephants suffered a season-opening 39-0 loss at Grayson and have had two weeks to ruminate on the result -- and prep for Winder.<br />
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"Gainesville's still a good team, no doubt," Webb said. "After losing (quarterback) Deshaun (Watson) and then losing that opening game some people might question what's going on, but I know better than that. Grayson looks like a Division II team, and there were some very misleading stats in that game. Gainesville is still a very good team."<br />
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That said Webb feels Winder has a huge opportunity in front of it come Friday night.<br />
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"A win would be a huge jumping off point for what we're calling 'the new Winder,' " Webb said. "It would immediately validate everything we've been preaching."<br />
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The Bulldoggs will bring an offense to Gainesville that features standout running back Cece Green -- a 5-foot-10, 180-pound all-around threat.<br />
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"He's got speed, power and he can catch it coming out of the backfield, so we hardly ever have to take him out," Webb said. "He's got a low center of gravity that allows him to get underneath and run through some people, but he's also got breakaway speed."<br />
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Receiver Brandon Hayes has also played a key role and is becoming a big-play threat.<br />
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"He's a good athlete, and he's starting to figure things out," Webb said of a receiver that has caught and thrown scoring passes this season.<br />
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Their success will be a huge gauge for Winder, which will want to keep Gainesville's own potent offense off the field.<br />
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"We can't just keep handing the ball back to them, because they're explosive," Webb said. "We've got to be able to sustain drives."<br />
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<b>BARNETT, MANCUSO STEPPING UP FOR PANTHERS:</b> As if Chase Barnett needed any more chances to shine.<br />
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The Union County senior has starred for the Panthers defense for the much of the past three years. But as he showed in Friday's win -- he may be just as important on the other side of the ball.<br />
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Barnett did his usual defensive damage in a 28-7 defeat of Lumpkin County -- 16 tackles, six assists, two caused fumbles and one fumble recovery -- but also added a 35-yard touchdown reception.<br />
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It was a play that coach Brian Allison hopes to make a routine part of the Panthers' playbook.<br />
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"We want him to play more offense, but that also depends on us getting off the field more quickly on defense," Allison said. "He's the best linebacker we've got, but there's also no question that he's the best running back we've got. But for him to play (offense), we can't have him out on the field all night on defense."<br />
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Barnett and a big senior class have certainly played key roles in helping Union County to a 2-0 start. Yet a junior has also played a big part, and Allison hopes that quarterback Joseph Mancuso can continue his strong play.<br />
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Mancuso went 21 of 29 through the air on Friday -- "including about four-five drops," Allison said. "He's improved his presence in the pocket a lot. He's still doing a few things we need to correct, but he's gotten so much better."<br />
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If Barnett and Mancuso maintain their level Union County could be looking at something special, as Andrews, N.C., pays a visit this week.<br />
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"If we could get to 3-0 that would be huge for our confidence," Allison said. "We're still improving as a team, but the main thing is getting us ready for the region schedule."<br />
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One gets the feeling that Barnett and Mancuso will most definitely be ready.<br />
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<b>COMMERCE'S START IMPRESSES INDEX:</b> The GHSA's Class A power ratings index was released on Tuesday, and while the formula that determines the ratings may not be overly simplistic -- you can rest assured one area team was pleased with the results.<br />
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Commerce currently sits at No. 1 in the Class A public power ratings with a score of 16.83. The Tigers (2-0) have reeled off two straight victories to open the campaign, including over a Class AAA team in Banks County to help create the score. <br />
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Commerce is currently above second place Atkinson County at 15.67.<br />
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The ratings don't necessarily mean the Tigers are playoff-bound -- there is a lot of season left to play. But certainly Commerce must be encouraged by the way things have started, both on the field and in the ratings.
