HOMER — Jay Reid knows his players have endured plenty of change. In fact, it seems the nature of the program for Banks County football.
So the brand new Leopards coach -- the program's fifth such in nine seasons -- was not surprised when a few of his new charges displayed a hint of frustration at enduring another switch when Reid took command.
Reid -- a former Banks County assistant (2006-07) and northeast Georgia coaching veteran that came back to Homer after assistant positions stints at Jackson County, Franklin County, West Hall and Hart County -- is quick to add, however, that there are no more doubts amongst his Leopards these days.
"The kids here are eager to work and learn and have come a long way, and they're really coming together and really changing as a unit," Reid said. "These guys have gone through a lot in their careers, especailly the seniors, but they're determined to keep winning. And though there hasn't been much continuity, these guys have shown how tough they are and what great character they have."
Reid takes over from Josh Shoemaker, who led the Leopards to back-to-back state playoff berths, and Banks County has not experienced a losing regular season since 2013. Reid brings a wing-T offense ("very similar to North Hall's," Reid said) and a physical brand of defense to Homer. The running back duo of Terrance Walker and Jacob Lehotsky will provide the Leopards' foundation, while Cody Dodge and Walker will be disruptors off the edge for the Banks defense.
BANKS COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Leopards
- TEAM COLORS: Blue and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-2A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Jay Reid, first season
- 2017 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 5-6, reached first round Class 2A playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: RB/LB Clayton Dykehouse, WR/DB Blake Segars, OL/DL Tripp Martin, WR/DB Jeffrey Evans
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Wing-T -- The Leopards' new offensive coordinator, Kerry Kidd, spent years helping shape the offense at North Hall, and Banks County's attack should look very similar to the Trojans' multiple-back, misdirection play-calling. The backfield has talent and experience, though the offensive line lacks some experience.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Sr. RB Terrance Walker, Sr. RB Jacob Lehotsky, Jr. QB Sawyer Pace, Jr. OC Braxton Simpson, Jr. RB Sean Hall
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4, multiple -- The Leopards will look to be physical and display the toughness that coaches worked to instill throughout the summer. Banks County will look to bring pressure off the edge and has two outside linebackers capable of providing that.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Sr. DB Jacob Lehotsky, Sr. OLB Cody Dodge, Sr. OLB Terrance Walker, Jr. ILB Braxton Simpson
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. P Jacob Lehotsky, Jr. PK Erwin Durmic
- STRENGTH: Grit/toughness -- New coach Reid has been impressed with the mental and physical toughness of his new team, and his staff has worked to harden that aspect even more through the summer months. "I think we'll play with toughness all season," Reid said. "A physical brand of football is essentially what I am."
- QUESTION: On-field chemistry -- The installation of new schemes and plays means that players will be learning on the fly this season, and while Reid believes there is plenty of talent, he is intrigued to see how the group will react to each other on the field. "Can 11 become one?" Reid asked. "Over the summer we were one big block from a big play on offense, one fit from a big stop on defense. We can take that next step."
- KEY GAMES: As with any new coaching staff, the season opener -- at home to 2017 state playoff foe Jackson County on Aug. 17 -- will tell players and staff just how far they have come over the summer. After that the schedule looks a bit kinder (at this point) with four straight contests against teams with a combined record of 7-32 in 2017. If the Leopards can make hay early, they will find themselves in a strong position for a stretch run in 8-2A that includes heavyweights Rabun County (Class 2A runner-up), Union County (six straight winning seasons, four state playoff berths in that span) and Elbert County (Class 2A Sweet 16 team in 2017) amongst their final five contests.
- TRENDING: Consistency has been both a bye-word for Banks County over the last four seasons -- as well as something that has eluded the Leopards. Yes Banks has a record of 22-21 over that span, including two straight playoff berths and a Sweet 16 appearance in 2016, but the Leopards continued turning over head coaches with regularity. In fact, Reid represents the fifth man to lead Banks over the last nine seasons. Despite all those changes the Leopards suffered just two losing regular seasons during that time -- a huge difference from the 1998-2007 seasons that witnessed 10 straight losing records. Reid is set on taking the Leopards to an even higher level, however. And he feels his team is buying in and ready to put itself on the line to do so.
2018 SCHEDULE
Aug. 17 vs. Jackson County
Aug. 24 at Franklin County
Sept. 7 vs. East Jackson
Sept. 14 at Social Circle*
Sept. 21 vs. Oglethorpe County*
Sept. 28 vs. Rabun County*
Oct. 12 at Union County*
Oct. 19 at Putnam County*
Oct. 26 at Monticello*
Nov. 2 vs. Elbert County*
*- Indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
