WINDER — Despite an admitted rebuild campaign in 2016, Winder-Barrow football still advanced to the state playoffs for an unprecedented third straight season.
Now coach Heath Webb feels he has the pieces in place to not only snag another playoff berth, but also claim the program's first playoff victory since 1993 (when the Bulldoggs reached the Class AAA semifinals).
And the key may be a big, talented offensive line led by senior returning starters Jared Johnson, Trey Hill, and Tyreek Norman. Add in mammoth Mill Creek transfer Joey Klemm (6-2, 310, junior) and it's easy to see why Webb and his staff are more than optimistic.
"No matter what level you're at, you must have strong line play to be successful. These guys improved a lot during the season last year," Webb said. "Joey is a huge addition for us."
Behind the line returns first-team All-Region 8-AAAAAA senior quarterback Brock Landis (1,771 yards passing, 15 TDs, 16 INTs; 420 yards rushing), who will look to a seasoned receiving corps boosted by the transfer of Jaidon Turner from Brookwood. Turner joins seniors Lamonta Mack and Trace Wells, as well as junior Noah McDowell. Junior running back Jamar Mack also returns in the backfield and is a receiving threat in his own right.
Defensively, junior defensive end Logan Cash, who led 8-AAAAAA in sacks (11) in 2016, returns to anchor a unit that returns five starters. The secondary, led by second-team All-Region standout Josh Sims and three-year starter Peige Moore, also a senior, could be one of the most talented in the region. The only real question will be at linebacker, where the Bulldoggs must replace tackle-machines Nate Millwood and Mason White.
Standing in the way of a breakout season is a grueling Region 8-AAAAAA schedule, including perennial playoff stalwarts Dacula, Lanier, and Gainesville. An improved Habersham Central and Apalachee makes for no walk-overs on the schedule. However, Gainesville and Dacula must each visit W. Clair Harris Stadium this season, and Webb is hoping that may be a difference-maker.
"We're not just satisfied with making the playoffs. We want to make a run when we get there," Webb said. "However, to be able to do that we have to get out of the No. 4 spot and that means finding a way beat one of the 'Big Three' in the region. The last couple of years we have had matchup problems, but we really think this year we have closed the gap talent-wise with guys like Joey and Jaidon moving in. But the guys that have been here have worked hard to get better, and I think they have across the board.
"Every game will be huge; there won't be any easy games," he said. "We've had great atmosphere at home since I got here and hopefully being at home with this group against Gainesville and Dacula can give us that extra edge. But we have Habersham in between those two on the road so that will be a huge game for us also. We're just excited to see what we have and where we are, and we feel this is the year we've been building toward."
WINDER-BARROW: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Bulldoggs
- TEAM COLORS: Red, Black and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AAAAAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Heath Webb, fourth season, 17-16
- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 5-6, first round Class AAAAAA playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: LB Nate Millwood, LB Mason White, WR/DB Deon Williams, OL Dylan Brown
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- The Bulldoggs always look for balance between the run and pass and should have plenty this season with veterans at quarterback, running back and receiver.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. QB Brock Landis (1st team All-Region), Jr. RB Jamar Mack (2nd team all-region), Sr. OL Jared Johnson, Sr. OL Trey Hill, Sr. WR Trace Wells, Sr. OL Tyreek Norman, Jr. WR Noah McDowell, Jr. OL Joey Klemm (Mill Creek transfer; 6-2, 310), Sr. WR/DB Jaidon Turner (Brookwood transfer), Sr. WR Lamonta Mack
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 4-2-5 -- Winder is changing its scheme to more even fronts to accomdate a wealth of talent up front.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Jr. DE Logan Cash (1st team all-region), Sr. DB Josh Sims (2nd team all-region), Sr. DB Peige Moore (3 yr starter), Jr. DT Deondre Millwood, Jr. LB Aaron Bagley, Sr. LB Sterling Sumpter, Sr. LB Kenny Kemp
- SPECIAL TEAMS: So. PK Harlin Brown Sr. P/KR/PR Jaidon Turner, Jr. Jamar Mack KR/PR
- STRENGTH: OL/receivers/secondary/pass rush -- The OL line should be stout, especially with the addition of Klemm from Mill Creek, and Landis should have some speedy receivers to throw to. The defensive secondary is experienced with Sims and Moore anchoring the unit to complement a solid pass rush, led by Cash, who paced 8-AAAAAA in sacks (11) in 2016.
- QUESTION: Linebackers -- The linebacker group may be a work-in-progress early on as the Bulldoggs try to fill the big shoes left by tackle-machines Nate Millwood and Mason White.
- KEY GAMES: The Buldoggs were just 1-5 against playoff teams in 2016 and will need to improve on that to gain ground in a rugged 8-AAAAAA. The season-opener against Clarke Central at home could be a good measuring stick. They also have former region foe Loganville and open their region schedule with cross-town rival Apalachee (Sept. 29, home). After a tough road showdown with against Lanier (Oct. 6), they will close out the season with 2 of their last 3 at home against powers Gainesville (Oct. 20, home) and Dacula (Nov. 3, home). However, sandwiched in between is a monster road game against Habersham Central -- and that game decided the final playof berth in 2016.
- TRENDING: Webb and his staff already have achieved unprecedented success in Winder, making three straight state playoff appearances for the first time in program history. Prior to their arrival, Winder had gone 10 straight seasons without a playoff bid, going 22-78 over that span. The Bulldoggs were considered in rebuilding mode in 2016 but this year return a slew of talent that could help them make it four straight postseasons, as well as get that elusive state victory for the first time since 1993.
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 vs. Clarke Central
Aug. 25 at Walnut Grove
Sept. 1 vs. Northview
Sept. 15 at Loganville
Sept. 22 at North Oconee
Sept. 29 vs. *Apalachee
Oct. 6 at *Lanier
Oct. 20 vs. *Gainesville
Oct. 27 at *Habersham Central
Nov. 3 vs. *Dacula
*- Indicates region game
(All contests start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
