NOTE: There are only 42 days left until the start of the 2015 high school football season -- both around the state and right here in northeast Georgia. With that in mind, AccessWDUN is already in full preparation mode. Over the next three weeks we will give you a sneak peek of what’s in store for 2015 with our "Two-A-Days" series. We will bring you two key questions -- and answers -- for each program in our coverage area, twice a day. Each morning will start a new program, with another highlighted each afternoon. And at the end of each week we will also provide some video footage and commentary from area coaches. Programs will run in alphabetical order.
In just his first season, head coach Jim Pavao had Fannin County within an eye-lash of making the state playoffs. The Rebels were tied late with Franklin County in their season-finale only to fall 21-14 after allowing a late touchdown off a turnover to finish one-game out of the playoff race.
Despite falling just short, 2014 (4-6) was their best season since going 4-6 as well in 2011. Pavao and the Rebels feel they can can find an extra win in 2015 in what should be a wide-open Region 7-AAA once again as they chase their first playoff spot since 2010.
We caught up with Pavao to find out how things are progressing as they get readu for fall practice.
QUESTION: You return eight starters on defense and some key offensive starters as well. What will the key this year to finding that extra win?
ANSWER: I think really just just taking things one at a time and not trying to do things we aren't good at. There are some good teams in Region 7-AAA but I feel we'll be very competitive. We've improved a lot already since last year just through the spring and summer. Defensively we need to get better and we've hard on that side of the ball since last year. I think we will be better, without question. Of course, injuries are always something you worry about so as long as we don't have any major injuries I like where we are. We were very close last year and were still learning things and finding out what guys could do. We have a much better understanding right now of those kinds of factors so I think we can find at least one more win.
QUESTION: Your offense lost three key offensive linemen but does return Jr. QB Brad Davis and leading rusher Sr. Tyler Beaver along with Sr. RB Dakota Archie, who is returning from an injury. You averaged 27.1 ppg over the first seven games (4-3) but just 11 ppg over the last three (0-3). Is finding consistency a key this season?
ANSWER: Definitely. We have to do a better job of executing and being consistent play-to-play and game-to-game. That is something we have been working hard on in the off-season. However, despite losing some quality guys up front we have some guys returning that backed those guys up that have made big strides in the off-season. I really feel like that will be a strong area for us this year. Brad has gotten more experienced and having Tyler and hopefull Dakota both healthy we should have a good balanced attack. A key will be for us to find some more big plays -- both on offense and defense. But I like how things are coming together right now. We're excited and ready to get going.
COMING UP NEXT: Flowery Branch
