COMMERCE — East Jackson football enters 2016 with its fourth head coach in its ninth season of varsity play.
Former Grayson and Buford assistant Christian Hunnicutt took the reins this offseason and will try to develop a consistent winner in Commerce.
Hunnicutt said at the beginning of the fall practice that building confidence in a group of players that has seen little on-field success has been priority No. 1.
"These kids are hungry for some success," said Hunnicutt, who will look to turn around an Eagles program that has won just three games in four seasons and posted just one winning season (2009). "The bond between the position coaches and the players has to be strong so that they can build confidence in themselves. We have some talented players. Our goal is finding where they will be the most successful and then teaching them how to be."
Hunnicutt and his staff will install a new multiple offense and a variation of the 50 defense that he hopes will accentuate the positives on the roster. The Eagles return six on defense, including five of their front-seven, and four starters on the offensive line.
Competition along with strength and conditioning also has been huge areas of focus during practice.
"It all starts with strength and conditioning, no matter what level of competition you’re at," he said. "We have some guys coming back, but we've been building that competition level at every position."
The Eagles face two teams coming off losing 2015 campaigns in their first three contests of 2016. Then comes the meat of their schedule, especially in what should be a rugged Region 8-AAA. They also face one of the toughest road games of any team in the area when they travel to 2015 Class AAAAA state runner-up Glynn Academy on Sept. 16.
"Getting a win or two could be just what the kids need to build that confidence," Hunnicutt said. "It's going to take a year or two to get the program where we want it but we're going to try and be competitive every game."
EAST JACKSON: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Eagles
- TEAM COLORS: Silver and Navy blue
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Christian Hunnicutt, first season
- 2015 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1-9
- KEY LOSSES: Hunnicutt says Eagles are starting with a fresh slate.
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Multiple -- The Eagles will use several base sets and would like to be balanced with the run and pass.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Sr. WR Sanquan Niles, Sr. QB Josh Adair, So. RB Eli Walden, Sr. OL Conner Beauchamp, Sr. OL Jeremy Wilder, Jr. OL Hunter Cronier, Jr. OL Jackson Patterson
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: Shade weak 50 -- the Eagles will employ a bend-but-don't-break style.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. CB Zeke Upadyay, Sr. LB Cody Parr, Sr. LB Nathan Elrod, Sr. LB Conor Smith, Jr. DE Hunter Cronier, Jr. DE Steve Hill
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. PK/P Ronan Veal, Jr. KR Kentay Rakestraw
- STRENGTH: Senior leadership -- This will be a big factor for East Jackson, which will also look to an experienced linebacker group to lead what could be a pretty good defense.
- QUESTION: Transition -- Installing new offensive and defensive systems while also trying to rebuild confidence in the program could present a learning curve.
- KEY GAMES: East Jackson dropped a 21-13 decision to Hebron Christian in last year's season opener. Hebron went on to post a 6-4 record, so an Eagles win in this year's opener (Aug. 19, away) would indicate plenty of progress. East Jackson follows that with games against two programs coming off losing campaigns in 2015 before traveling to 2015 Class AAAAA state runner-up Glynn Academy. They also will face a tough region schedule with three straight road games to get things started.
- TRENDING: The Eagles still have nowhere to go but up after winning just nine games since a 10-2 campaign in 2009. Hunnicutt comes from a pair of high-profile, successful programs and has been working to instill a winning and positive attitude. A solid group of seniors could help move them forward.
2016 SCHEDULE
Aug. 19 at Hebron Christian Academy
Aug. 26 Lakeview Academy
Sept. 9 at Oglethorpe County
Sept. 16 at Glynn Academy
Sept. 30 at *Morgan County
Oct. 7 at *Monroe Area
Oct. 14 at *Franklin County
Oct. 21 vs. Haralson County
Oct. 28 vs. *Jackson County
Nov. 4 vs. *Hart County
*- Indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
