BETHLEHEM — Two victories might not sound like a season of glory. But after Apalachee football's struggles of 2013-15, last year's 2-7-1 mark represented a veritable light at the end of the tunnel.
"It was a reward for the kids who stuck it out through the tough times -- 2-7-1 is not the goal but it was progress. And now we want to build on that," said Wildcats coach Steve Sims, who enters his third season in Bethlehem after his team doubled its win total from the previous three campaigns combined in 2016.
"Our kids are working hard, and I'm very proud of them. We've just got to take the victories for what they were so these kids start to believe."
Sims and his staff are continuing to emphasize numbers across the program, increasing the size of their freshmen and sophomore classes -- results they feel will pay off in the near future -- although he admits that this year's team will still comprise a young group.
"We're a year or two away from the numbers we want, and we've got a lot of youth on this team," Sims said. "But we've also got a dedicated and hard-working group of seniors and juniors."
That starts on the line of scrimmage, and Sims believes a veteran group in the trenches can get his Wildcats into the thick of things in Region 8-AAAAAA this season.
Senior Isaac Benitez will lead the way from his center position, while sophomore Nate Hodnett hopes to improve on last year's second team All-Region performance as a freshman. Seniors Zach Mastaw and Donny Kulp, combined with senior tight end Parker Miller, should all combine to give new starting quarterback A.J. Middlebrooks a confident platform to begin his varsity career under center.
"A.J. is an athlete, very versatile, and he may even swing out and play receiver so we can put sophomore A.J. Forbing in there at quarterback. That makes us even more dangerous on the perimeter," Sims said.
Defensively, Apalachee is switching to a 4-2-5 base to make the most of their athleticism in the backfield and allow a veteran defensive line to try and control the trenches. Defensive end Josh Agbenou was a standout last season at linebacker and coaches have high hopes for the junior this season. Tony Biancini and Diego Bandeira should also anchor the front six.
"The defense improved a lot last season, and we're trying to emphasize defense across this whole program," Sims said. "The offense got a lot better but still has a long way to go."
But the Wildats also see progress, and that's what is driving them onward.
APALACHEE: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Wildcats
- TEAM COLORS: Navy, White and Gold
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AAAAAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Steve Sims, third season, 2-17-1
- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2-7-1
- KEY LOSSES: DE/TE Jason Craig, WR Ethan Morris, QB Ryan Miller, Saf Gunnar Wright, LB Chase Williamson, CB Will Smith
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Pro-style/multiple -- The Wildcats will look to be physical with the run game from the outset, but a more athletic quarterback could add a spark to team that made strides from 2015 to '16.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- So. OL Nate Hodnett (2nd team All-Region in 2016), Sr. OL Isaac Benitez, Sr. TE Parker Miller, Sr. OL Zach Mastaw, Sr. OL Donny Kulp, Jr. QB AJ Middlebrooks, So. AJ Forbing, Sr. RB Lorenzo Stevenson, Jr. WR Matt Chavis
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 4-2-5 -- Apalachee hired coordinator Randy Holland this offseason, who may be changing terminology and base scheme but not the idea that the Wildcats want to build their program on defense, starting by stopping the run.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 3 returning starters -- Jr. DE Josh Agbenou, Sr. DT Tony Biancini, Sr. DL Diego Bandeira, Sr. DL Donny Kulp, Jr. LB Peyton Ferro, Jr. LB Jason Wilson
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. P Parker Miller, So. PK Alan Fullk
- STRENGTH: Lines of scrimmage -- With four starting offensive linemen back in the fold this season and an experienced defensive front Apalachee should be able to create some running lanes on offense and clog them on defense.
- QUESTION: Youth -- The Wildcats have 15 seniors and 15 juniors -- numbers that Sims and his staff are working hard to increase in future classes, as those are relatively small at the Class AAAAAA level. Several younger players will be looked to for key minutes this season, and their acclimation could do much to decide Apalachee's fate in 2017.
- KEY GAMES: The non-region slate could provide the Wildcats with opportunity for confidence, as they face five teams that -- while two made the state playoffs last season in Walnut Grove and Monroe Area -- had a combined record of 13-38-1 in 2016. Apalachee begins its region slate against cross-town rival Winder-Barrow (Sept. 29, away). And while the Bulldoggs are expected to be much improved over last season, they only edged the Wildcats 28-21 last year. A win there would prove a huge springboard for a program looking for improvement.
- TRENDING: Apalachee gained some much-needed traction last season, as Sims guided the Wildcats to twice as many wins as they experienced the previous three campaigns combined. From 2006-2012, Apalachee was a consistent winner, going 46-30 with four straight state berths, a region title and a quarterfinal appearance (both in 2009). And after a precipitous decline, Sims and his staff are working to build a foundation of success.
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 at River Ridge
Sept. 1 vs. Union Grove
Sept. 8 vs. Discovery
Sept. 15 at Walnut Grove
Sept. 22 at Monroe Area
Sept. 29 at Winder-Barrow*
Oct. 6 vs. Dacula*
Oct. 20 vs. Lanier*
Oct. 27 at Gainesville*
Nov. 3 vs. Habersham Central*
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
