RABBITTOWN — East Hall’s offense has helped lead the Vikings to the brink of the state playoffs, keyed an impressive turnaround and features playmakers racking up yardage to match the best in the state.
And coach Bryan Gray says the unit has only scratched the surface of its potential.
“We’re still slowly getting there; we still have a lot of negative plays on a given night; we still have missed assignments,” said Gray of a balanced attack that is averaging 33.5 points per game through four Region 7-AAA contests.
Considering what the Vikings (4-4, 3-1 Region 7-AAA) have already accomplished that should be a scary thought to the rest of 7-AAA.
After opening the season 0-3, East Hall is now riding a three-game win streak and currently sits tied for first place in the 7-AAA standings, and while the Vikings trail Dawson County (4-1 in 7-AAA) due to a head-to-head loss earlier this season, they could still play for their first region crown since 1987 should the Tigers slip up this Friday against Lumpkin County. And East Hall’s evolving offense has played a key role in obtaining that position.
The Vikings have passed for 1,745 yards and rushed for 1,248 so far this campaign, leaning on a deep and talented stable of athletes.
“We have several wide receivers that can run and catch, and we have several running backs that can also catch it and run with it,” said Gray, who added that the current crop is both the deepest and most balanced group he has coached in his nine seasons at East Hall.
Markese Jackson’s 51 receptions for 827 yards and 8 touchdowns is amongst the best in the state, while Jacquen Hopkins has 39 catches for 507 yards and 6 scores. Jiel Vargas (548 yards rushing, 10 TDs) leads the rushing attack, while Jackson also has 329 yards and 2 TDs on the ground.
“We try to push the tempo, get a lot of plays in and that gives kids more chances to touch the ball,” Gray said. “That in turn improves their confidence. And we seem to have a different standout each game.”
Sophomore quarterback Austin Parker has been one of those standouts on more than one occasion, and it is his maturation as the starter that has helped develop the Vikings into a multi-dimensional threat.
“The kids have rallied around him, and he’s progressed every week,” Gray said of the signal caller that is relishing his first season in the spotlight, passing for 1,561 yards and 15 TDs against 6 interceptions while completing 63 percent of his passes. “You would never even know he’s a quarterback by the way he is; he’s just a happy-go-lucky kid. But he’d also be the first one to tell you he’s got a long way to go.”
There is no denying, however, that since taking over from graduated standout Devin Watson, Parker has helped turn the Vikings’ attack into a sort of black and gold Swiss army knife, utilizing East Hall's array of tools to get the job done.
“We try to adjust our scheme in different ways to attack the opponent, and we adapt to what our kids can do,” Gray said. “So if a defense is adjusting to take one thing away, we’ll try to go with something else.”
The basics stay the same from game-to-game, however: do everything at full speed.
“All great teams that can pass the ball – at any level -- are teams that have four-five guys that can run routes at full speed, doing exactly what they are taught. That stresses the defense,” Gray said. “We’re trying to stress the defense and make them think, because if you get a high school defender thinking, instead of just reacting, you’re going to increase your chances of success. We want to dictate the pace of the game; we’ve had games where we’ve been dictated to and games where we’ve been one-dimensional. But we’re starting to have stretches where we can dictate.”
That has indeed been the case in a number of region contests this season, and the big reason for that is the mix of run and pass that the Vikings can force opponents to defend.
“We strive for balance; in my mind we’re looking for about a 60-40 pass-run balance, because that’s where our strengths are this season,” Gray said. “Even at the middle school and youth level, we have a lot of kids that can catch the ball and do big things with it once they have it. Last year we were more run-heavy because of the players we had, but now we’ve got seven-eight kids we can rely on in the pass game.”
East Hall's attack may feel a little bit like it is looking in the mirror this Friday, however, as the Vikings play host to Fannin County in a contest that both programs need in order to solidify their playoff positioning.
A victory would seal a state berth for the Vikings, while the Rebels need a win to stay in control of their own destiny in the postseason race.
It is a scenario that Gray says his team is not even contemplating, however. They’re having too much fun being wrapped up in the moment.
“We’re having a good time, and we’re not even talking about the playoffs,” Gray said. “That will all take care of itself. We’re just trying to make ourselves the best we can be. It’s going to be tough this Friday – Fannin knows how to defend the pass – but we’re just focused on getting the best out of ourselves each day. The rest will take care of itself.”
In the case of East Hall’s offense, it seems to be doing so very nicely.
