FLOWERY BRANCH — After three straight seasons of falling short of the state playoffs, it appeared there was something missing from the Flowery Branch football program in 2016.
The Falcons were a playoff stalwart from 2005-13, averaging 9.7 wins a year with four quarterfinals appearances, two semifinals, and a state runner-up finish in 2008 (in a Class AAA finale, 28-14 loss to Cairo) over that span. But the past three seasons saw the Branch win just 14 total games, slumping to 3-7 in 2016, its worst campaign since going 2-8 in 2004.
It was not the program Ben Hall remembered leaving in 2008. And, after returning as head coach, the former Falcons assistant and Jefferson head coach knew he had to hit the ground running.
“It was different from when I had been here, but I live in the community so I also knew what some of the problems were,” he said. “When we got here in the spring there were a lot of new things introduced. It was like walking on a frozen pond, so to speak. We had to find the weak points without breaking up the whole thing.
“There were a few anxious moments. But the program was not broken. It just needed some adjusting.”
While it’s safe to assume that the adjustments are not complete, Friday night’s 38-0 whitewash of North Hall showed that there is plenty of positive momentum already building.
The Falcons (1-0) piled up 333 yards of offense (210 rushing, 123 passing) and limited a usually potent North Hall offense to just 24 total yards. The Trojans the week before had over 240 yards rushing alone against Chestatee.
Sophomore quarterback Elijah Gainey was 9-of-17 for 123 yards passing with one touchdown and one interception in his first varsity start. Junior Malik Damons had 141 yards rushing on 17 carries and three touchdowns, while senior Malik Drayton had 62 yards and one touchdown on 5 carries to go with 4 catches for 41 yards receiving. Junior Jalin Strown had 5 catches for 74 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown reception.
Was Hall surprised with such a dominant performance out of the gate?
“I felt like they played hard but not necessarily as well as I know they’re capable,” he said. “I don’t know that I was really that surprised but you also never really know until you get on the field and play. But I was pleased overall for it being our first game with a new quarterback and all the changes.”
Despite his optimism, Hall was quick to point out mistakes made that left plenty of room for growth.
“I think we’re ahead of the schedule of where I thought we might be at this point in the season,” he said. “I thought we would struggle a little more with everything being so new to them. They have picked things up pretty quick and are practicing hard.
“But we made our share of mistakes as well. Elijah I thought played well for his first start but he made some throws that need to be better. He missed some open guys and had the one pick. We had some penalties. Those are things that we can work on and correct.”
Defensively, however, the Falcons looked in midseason form against a Trojans offense that has rarely been slowed over the years. And new defensive coordinator, and former White County head coach, Bill Ballard, has already made an impact.
“The defensive effort was great. Coach Ballard and the staff had a good gameplan and they executed real well. They were really dialed in,” Hall said. “We played well up front. Against North Hall you have a tendency to follow the ball and not stay in your assignment and that’s where the breakdowns happen. The linebackers and secondary read the keys well and took care of their responsibilities. (Linebacker) Tyler Blalock [who had an interception] and (safety) Myles Janess were all over the field.”
The Branch will have to make a complete 180 this week against Chestatee's high-flying spread attack led by seniors Storm Yarbrough (quarterback) and Nick Lyles (running back) -- the duo combined for over 300 yards in a 42-12 win over North Hall two weeks ago.
However, the War Eagles (1-1) are also coming off a 59-37 loss to East Hall.
“We’ll have to shift gears for sure,” Hall said. “They have an impressive offense and we’ll have to prove that we can play just as well against a different style. I’m sure (Chestatee) feels they have something to prove as well after last week. I expect a very tough game.”
Hall said one game does not define a season and that it certainly won’t change their approach of rebuilding the Falcons into a playoff contender. But he did say there is one key ingredient to success that he has noticed return to the program.
“I’m excited because I see the kids are excited about what’s happening,” Hall said. “They look like they’re having fun. That was something I noticed back in the spring was that it didn’t look they were excited. That is a very important aspect of things.
“It’s hard to be successful if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing. I think that we’re on the right track but I don’t want to put too much pressure on the guys just yet. We want them to have fun and enjoy playing the game. The rest will take of itself.”
CHESTATEE at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- CHESTATEE (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Lost 59-37 to East Hall last week
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated North Hall 38-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 9-2. The Falcons won 41-13 in 2016. The Branch has won eight straight in the series. ... The last Chestatee victory came in 2004, a 17-7 win in Gainesville.
