HOMER — Things are definitely looking up for the Leopards after a solid 5-5 season that saw them be just 13 points for an 8-2 record. The offense should be even more potent in 2015 with eight returning starters.
The big question will be rebuilding a defense that has just three returning players with varsity experience on that side of the ball. But they play in a wide-open Region 7-AAA.
Coach Biff Parson said they have had one of their more productive offseasons and should be ready for their opener against rival Commerce.
"We've gotten some good looks at who we think can help us on defense and the offense is looking sharp during practice," Parson said. "Things will come down for us on improving during our tough non-region schedule and then getting off to a good start in region play. We have three key games to open the region and we need to win at least two to have a shot at the playoffs and a shot at a region title. But we're going to just take things one game at a time."
Junior QB Griffin Goodwin, senior Travae Cain, who will play multiple positions, and junior RB Demetrius Walker, to go with the entire returning offensive line, give the Leopards a potent core on offense.
BANKS COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Leopards
- TEAM COLORS: Blue and White
- CURRENT REGION: 7-AAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Biff Parson, third season, 5-15
- 2014 RECORD/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 5-5
- KEY LOSSES: Entire DL, LB Noah Baugh, WR/DB/KR Malcolm Mitchell, WR/DB Will Ledford, CB Austin Cox
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Pro style, multi-formation -- Balance is the name of the game but Goodwin and Cain make a good combination in the passing game. Hubbard and Walker also are threats out of the backfield for Goodwin to use.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 8 returning starters -- Sr. OL Logan Galloway, Jr. QB Griffin Goodwin (1,200 yards, 8 TD), Sr. ATH Trevae Cain (950 rush, 22 TD), Sr. RB Logan Hubbard, Jr. RB Demetrius Walker (550 rush, 3 TD), So. RB Clayton Dykehouse, Sr. WR Zezmon Steeple (600 rec yards, 5 TD), Sr. OL Jody Poole, Sr. OL Cole Jones, Sr. OL Zach Patrick, Sr. OL Tyler Bryant
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4 -- Banks County likes to attack when the opportunity presents itself and look for big plays.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 3 returning starters -- Sr. DB Logan Hubbard, Sr. LB Travae Cain, Jr. LB Zach Lehotsky
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. P Tyler Autry, Jr. PK Ramiro Cuadra, will have to find someone to replace the dynamic Mitchell at the return position
- STRENGTH: Offense -- The Leopards should be potent with the entire OL returning in front of Goodwin, Cain, Hubbard, and Walker. The Leopards scored 33 points vs. Hart County in their first scrimmage.
- QUESTION: Depth and defense -- Most of the defensive backups will be either freshmen or sophomores. Only Hubbard, Cain, and Lehotsky have any varsity experience on the defensive side.
- KEY GAMES: The Leopards open vs. Class A Public semifinalists and rival Commerce, which should give them a good measuring stick for the rest of the season. They open 7-AAA play on the road vs. Franklin County but follow with huge home contests vs. Fannin County and Lumpkin, both of whom will be in the hunt for a playoff spot. Back-to-back road games vs. Dawson County and West Hall also loom large before their season finale vs. East Hall at home. The Vikings knocked them out of a playoff chance in last year's finale so they could be looking for to turn the tables in 2015.
- TRENDING: The Leopards are definitely on the upswing. Parson had them in the playoff race until the final game last season and has instilled a positive winning attitude. Three of their five losses were by a touchdown or less and they had the lead in two of them. They dropped their final two region games to fall out of the playoffs but expect them to be among the favorites to make a run at the region title behind a dynamic offense and what should be an improved defense.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 vs. Commerce
Sept. 4 vs. Johnson
Sept. 11 at East Jackson
Sept. 18 at North Cobb Christian
Sept. 25 at *Franklin County
Oct. 2 vs. *Fannin County
Oct. 16 vs. *Lumpkin County
Oct. 23 at *Dawson County
Oct. 30 at *West Hall
Nov. 6 vs. *East Hall
*- indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
