MT. AIRY — Every coach has experienced a losing season, but Habersham Central's 2017 campaign beggared belief.
The Raiders went 2-8 -- those losses coming by an average of 4.6 points, only one by more than a touchdown, as Habersham racked up points, only to be one-upped by opponents.
"It was so frustrating; we felt we could play with anyone, and I hated it for the kids," Raiders coach Benji Harrison said.
To help get back on track -- one season prior Harrison's Habersham produced the program's best record in five years -- the Raiders hired defensive guru Stan Luttrell, and he set about enticing a fast, physical style of play from Habersham. He also brought his son Tre Luttrell to the program, and the dual-threat quarterback has added a sense of toughness to the Raiders offense. In fact, Harrison says the entire squad has taken on a blue-collar attitude. And it is that aspect -- as much as athletic ability -- that Harrison believes will help get Habersham back on track.
"We expect to be good again on offense [last year's team averaged a stellar 34.6 points per game], but this is one of the tougher teams I've had; they're mentally tough, and I think that's what will, ultimately, get us turned around," Harrison said.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Raiders
- TEAM COLORS: Blue and Orange
- CURRENT REGION: 8-6A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Benji Harrison, fourth season, 8-22
- 2017 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2-8
- KEY LOSSES: OL Schaefer Almoyen, OL Bryan Mason, OL Jiles Ward, OL Jonathan Gragg, QB A.J. Curry, WR/DB Jim Barnett, WR Bryce Tanner, LB Carson Taylor, LB Garrett Kinsey, CB Carson Moore
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread, multiple -- The Raiders want to use speed on the perimeter and power up the middle to stay aggressive and keep opposing defenses on their heels. And while last year's unit relied on speed and elusiveness, this year's group will bring a hard-nosed edge that could set it apart -- including at quarterback. And while just one starter returns on the line, Harrison believes his starting five will be strong.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 3 returning starters -- Sr. QB Tre Luttrell, Sr. WR Donovan Curry, Jr. OL Josh Wade, Sr. WR Tarin Westbrook, Sr. RB Tracey Lowery, Sr. RB Jackson Clouatre, Jr. RB Arian Curry
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: Mulitple -- New defensive coordinator Stan Luttrell has simplified things for his players, allowing them to play fast and physical. And his work at other programs speaks for itself, where he built stout defenses at several stops.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Sr. Saf Luke Wilson, Sr. LB Daniel Matkovic, Jr. LB Cooper Woodruff, Jr. DT Greg Wiley
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK David Escamilla, punting duties undecided as of publication time
- STRENGTH: Toughness -- Coach Harrison sees a hunger and desire to win with this team, but more than that he sees a willingness to work and battle and a hard-nosed attitude that could well see it turn the corner for a team that was so close last season. One of the reasons is the addition of Luttrell, who sometimes plays quarterback like a linebacker -- though he also has the arm to threaten any secondary -- and is a natural leader, that attitude spreading throughout the team.
- QUESTION: Depth on the line of scrimmage -- Harrison likes what he sees amongst the starters on the offensive and defensive fronts. But Class 6A is a physical slog, and he knows that back-ups must provide quality snaps if his team is to reach its full potential. Right now the Raiders are working hard to try and develop that depth.
- KEY GAMES: After suffering so many heartbreaking losses last season -- they dropped their eight games by a combined deficit of 37 points -- the Raiders will want to get off to a strong start to prove those near-misses are in the past. That won't come easy in the opener, however. Certainly not against a Dawson County (Aug. 17, home) program that has made a move toward becoming one of the better teams in northeast Georgia. The contest at a vastly improved White County (Aug. 31) could also prove a big barometer before region play begins. The 8-6A schedule also opens with a bang against a Lanier team (Sept. 28, away) sure to be loaded with talent. That contest introduces a slate of four against last year's region playoff squads (in order: Lanier, Gainesville, Dacula and Winder-Barrow). To take big steps forward Habersham will likely need at least one win from that group. Region 8-6A also has four new head coaches amongst its six teams, including at region champ Dacula, Apalachee, Winder-Barrow and Gainesville (who's coach Heath Webb was in the region at Winder last season), so there could be plenty of flux.
- TRENDING: After big gains in 2016 (Habersham's first non-losing record in five years), last season proved an agonizing step back for the Raiders, who played out the biggest near-miss campaign in recent memory, losing eight games by an average margin of 4.6 points per contest. This offseason, Habersham's coaches harped on the details, focusing on the little things that might make the difference in those close battles. The belief in Mt. Airy is that Habersham has the ability -- and now the toughness -- to get on the right side of those showdowns.
2018 SCHEDULE
Aug. 17 vs. Dawson County
Aug. 24 at Madison County
Aug. 31 at White County
Sept. 7 vs. Franklin County
Sept. 14 at Stephens County
Sept. 28 at Lanier*
Oct. 5 vs. Gainesville*
Oct. 19 vs. Dacula*
Oct. 26 at Winder-Barrow*
Nov. 2 vs. Apalachee*
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
