COMMERCE — Talking with Commerce football coach Michael Brown these days makes it so very easy to forget there was ever a question facing the Tigers this offseason.
Brown says his squad has come together like no other in his six years in charge, displaying the kind of attitude, work ethic and chemistry that make it a joy to coach.
Depth in the offensive backfield and defensive secondary and the potential of its offensive line have the Tigers aiming high once again, as they look to better last year's first round playoff exit (their earliest since Brown's first season in charge, 2013). And once Brown pulled a U-turn on his decision to walk away from the position, everything seemed to fall in place for one of the heritage programs in GHSA football.
An experienced quarterback in Nate Ray -- a signal caller that Brown says has worked hard to soak up all he can about the position -- and a 14-man senior class have expectations on the rise, including a loaded group of halfbacks and fullbacks.
"It's unusual to have this much depth," said Brown, before adding that in a ridiculously tough Region 8-A it will be absolutely tested. "You have to bring your 'A' game every Friday or you'll get beat."
COMMERCE: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Tigers
- TEAM COLORS: Black and Gold
- CURRENT REGION: 8-A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Michael Brown, sixth season, 43-17
- 2017 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 8-3, reached first round Class A Public playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: OL Cade Ridley, WR Kyre Ware, LB Braxton Legg, DT Cody Ridley, LB Chase Forrester, LB Easley Smith
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Triple option -- The Tigers like to control the ball and chew up the yardage in their traditional attack to help keep their defense fresh, while going to the air at opportunistic moments. And after blooding a new starting QB last season, the Tigers' experience at that spot -- and throughout the backfield -- has coaches excited about the potential on hand.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 9 returning starters -- Sr. OL Levi Pate, Jr. QB Nate Ray, Sr. HB Dylan Deaton, Sr. FB Nick Patrick, Sr. HB DaJuan Wood, Sr. HB Caleb Mason
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4/multiple -- Commerce will attack and blitz with standout linebackers whenever possible under new defensive coordinator Doug Huff, though the Tigers are still looking to solidify the defensive line after graduating some standouts from the trenches. The secondary is also loaded with experience and talent.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. Saf Caleb Mason, Sr. DB Dylan Deaton, Sr. DB DaJuan Wood, Sr. LB Tucker Flint, Sr. LB Jalen Dorsey, Sr. DL Levi Pate
- SPECIAL TEAMS: So. PK Eric Diaz, punting duties undecided as of publication time
- STRENGTH: Offensive backfield/defensive secondary -- The Tigers own the kind of depth and ability in both spots to make most programs envious. Pate is also a bellcow on both lines of scrimmage, and, despite needing two new starters on the offensive line, Brown believes this group (including senior Tanner Lumpkin) will be a strength as well.
- QUESTION: Defensive line -- Pate aside, Commerce graduated some serious playmakers along the defensive front, and the Tigers are looking to see who will step up to the fill the holes left by All-Star players like Ridley.
- KEY GAMES: Brown believes that, between 8-A and non-region, Commerce could be in for its toughest schedule in years. Opening against Class 4A playoff regular West Hall (Aug. 17, home) should give the Tigers a strong barometer of where they stand. Class 4A Madison County (Sept 21, away) and Class 3A playoff regular Hart County (Aug. 31, home) also fill out the schedule. And while the break down of Region 8-A into subregions means the Tigers miss Class A Private runner-up Athens Academy and Private semifinalist Prince Avenue, there is still plenty to be wary of, including a Hebron Christian team that is starting to soar under former NFL lineman Jeff Saturday (Oct. 12, away). Meanwhile, Towns County (Oct. 19, away) is coming off its best ever season, and Riverside Military (Oct. 26, home) could be set for a big step forward in coach Nick Garrett's second season. And then there is the crossover game in the regular season finale, where the top seeds from each subregion face off.
- TRENDING: The Tigers made their 21st straight state playoff appearance in 2017 but were disappointed with their earliest exit since 2013. They then absorbed some turmoil when coach Brown announced he was stepping away in the offseason only to reverse course and retain the job. But that brief episode is fully in the past, and Brown says Commerce is coming off its best offseason in his six seasons at the helm. "We have a chemistry and attitude that makes this group so much fun to coach," Brown said. Their depth on both sides of the ball also makes this a team -- "on paper," Brown cautions -- that could be in for big things. If one or two defensive linemen step up the Tigers could be right back on track for a deep playoff run (they were semifinalists in 2014-15).
2018 SCHEDULE
Aug. 17 vs. West Hall
Aug. 24 at Athens Christian*
Aug. 31 vs. Hart County
Sept. 14 vs. Providence Christian*
Sept. 21 at Madison County
Oct. 5 vs. Lakeview Academy*
Oct. 12 at Hebron Christian Academy*
Oct. 19 at Towns County*
Oct. 26 vs. Riverside Military*
Nov. 2 vs. Region Crossover
*- Indicates region game
(Commerce home games kick off at 8 p.m.)
(All away kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
