HOMER — The good news: Banks County is on a three-game win streak.
The bad news: They’ve seen it before.
The Leopards (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA) were in the exact same spot in 2014 only to go on a two-game losing streak to open Region 7-AAA play and eventually miss out on the playoffs. Coach Biff Parson said reversing those fortunes in 2015 is a high priority.
They’ll get their first chance Friday night traveling to Carnesville to take on Franklin County in both teams’ Region 7-AAA openers. The Lions (1-2, 0-0) knocked off Banks County 22-21 last season in Homer.
“We were in the same position last year and felt like we were playing well heading into that game and we were at home,” Parson said. “But we had a couple of things go against us and that was the difference. Then we followed that game with another loss to Fannin County on the road. We had chances to win both games but didn’t finish.
“This region is unbelievably even top to bottom so you can’t start 0-2 and get in the playoffs. This is a huge game for us.”
The Leopards came into 2015 on the back of a five-win campaign -- after going winless in 2013. Despite missing out on the postseason, it was one of the better one-year turnarounds of 2014. And optimism was high coming into this year's opener against rival Commerce. However, the Tigers triple-option attack exploited a young Banks County defense, outscoring the Leopards 41-0 in the second half for a 55-13 win.
Parson admitted the contest raised concern.
“We knew we would be young and inexperienced (on defense), but the real problem was our offense, which we felt very good about,” Parson said. “We went three-and-out way too many times and had some turnovers and didn’t help our defense very much. It was 14-13 late in the second quarter and we just couldn’t do much of anything in the second half, and (Commerce) took advantage of it.”
With Johnson and its option-oriented attack up next, Parson said the focus turned on righting the ship offensively more than changing things on defense.
“We did a nice job against Commerce in the first half. The key for us is controlling the ball and keeping our defense rested as much as possible,” Parson said. “That was the problem in the second half (against Commerce).”
It obviously worked as the Leopards have reeled off three straight wins with the offense averaging 37.3 ppg during that streak. They did give up 36 points in last week’s win (44-36) over North Cobb Christian but built a quick 21-0 lead to pave the route to success.
Zezmon Steeple had a huge game for the Leopards, catching nine passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns and he returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and finished with 304 all-purpose yards. Junior quarterback Griffin Goodwin and senior running backs Trevae Cain and Logan Hubbard also provided key moments -- as they have done throughout the win streak.
“The line, the quarterback, the running backs have all played much better since the travesty of the first game,” Parson said. “Since we are young, and now we have a couple of key injuries on defense, there is a lot of pressure on the offense to be consistent and every drive. They have done that the last few weeks.
“The defense has played better, though. We forced eight turnovers against Johnson and East Jackson so I feel like they’re making progress. But again, we were in the same spot last year so we’re trying to keep everyone focused.”
Franklin County poses another challenge with an offense similar to Commerce's triple option. The Lions played Stephens County tough for a half before losing and then went toe-to-toe with Hart County in a 38-25 loss. They have since rebounded with a 56-21 win over East Jackson. Banks County took a 41-14 win over East Jackson two weeks ago.
“Franklin is going back to the power offense they were known for and are way better than their record,” Parson said. “The have a big line and run that double-slot offense that is hard to defend. It will be a huge challenge for our defense again.”
It is a big task for a Leopards defense that returned just three starters and is now starting two freshmen, Terrance Walker (linebacker) and Aaron Hamilton (defensive line), and four sophomores, Jeffery Evans (cornerback), Trevor Thomas (cornerback/safety), Clayton Dykehouse (safety), and Marshall Pace (linebacker) -- due to injuries.
Parson said they are being asked to grow up quick.
“We’re not making excuses or anything. Injuries happen to every team. How you respond to adversity tells you how a season will go,” he said. “The more these guys get to play the better they are going to get. They have a lot of talent.”
But Parson and the Leopards may once again find themselves in an offensive shootout. Does that work in their favor the way the offense has been churning the last three weeks?
“Certainly they are playing better, executing better, not making as many mistakes,” Parson said of his offense. “But you never really want to get in a game where you feel like you have to keep matching scores. That’s tough on everyone.
“But we have confidence we can score and that has been the biggest difference from the first game. We knew all along we had an offense that could put up some points and they’ve done that. As a result we’ve had some positive success on the defensive side the last three games.”
With the balance of Region 7-AAA, Parson maintained that a better start to the region in 2015 is paramount.
“Getting into the playoffs is our goal,” Parson said. “I don’t see anyone that is head-and-shoulders above the rest so if we can get a good start we’ll be right in the mix. But, we’re just focused on going to Carnesville and trying to steal a win.”
