FLOWERY BRANCH — Gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, frustrating probably aren’t strong enough words to describe how the 2018 season ended for the Flowery Branch football team.
It started with a 21-20 overtime loss to Blessed Trinity, the defending state champion, and ended with a disappointing first round playoff loss to Ridgeland. In between, a slew of injuries to key players that essentially sabotaged the season.
Last week, the Falcons had a chance to erase one bad memory against the Titans and had control late. But a failed 4th-and-inches call inside the Titans 10 with a minute left sent it to overtime for a second straight season. Unfortunately, it was the same result as 2018: a 20-17 loss.
But unlike last season, they came out unscathed this time against the Titans. That is already having an impact as they get ready for No. 1 Marist this week in a huge Region 7-4A showdown. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Falcon Field and can be heard on WDUN AM 550.
"The mood's been great (this week),” Flowery Branch coach Ben Hall said. “The kids, even after the game Friday night, they were 100 percent focused. They were disappointed we didn't win the game, but they realized that we battled our hearts out and they realize what we have coming up.
"We have the typical bumps and bruises, but last year in the Blessed Trinity game we lost four starters and kind of limped through the last part of the season. This year, we're healthy, minus (senior quarterback) Elijah (Gainey).”
It should be another bruiser between two power offenses and stout defenses. The War Eagles (8-0, 4-0 Region 7-4A) are third in scoring (311 points, 38.8 points per game) and second in defense (62, 7.6 ppg) in Class 4A. They’ve allowed 8 points or less five times with three shutouts. The Branch (6-1, 2-1 Region 7-4A) can match Marist defensively. The Falcons are third in defense (68, 9.7 ppg) and have three shutouts as well. But they sit just 15th in offense (225, 32.1 ppg).
"I don't know that you can truly stop Marist,” Hall said. “They're balanced and more balanced than they have been in the past. They have a quarterback in Connor Cigelske, who's up for state player of the year, and he's a great runner and he can throw the ball and they have some deep threat receivers. You couple that with their big, physical offensive line and the triple option that they're known for. It's going to be a challenge."
MOOD KILLER OR MOTIVATOR?
"Last year when we lost in overtime it was really heartbreaking to the kids and Blessed Trinity was the team to beat in the region, so to speak. This year that has shifted to Marist and our kids understand who we're playing and they know we have to play our best game to have a shot. It's been a great week so far. The kids have been 100 percent focused, we're healthy, (and) everybody's excited to play."
WHAT DOES IT MATTER?!
"Every game at this point of the season is important, especially when you're talking region championships, and Marist is the team that's been circled. They're very talented and in order to have a shot at a region title, we need to win this game Friday and then we need to beat Denmark and then we need a little help from Marist to knock off Blessed Trinity. This region is respected and is recognized as one of the most talented regions in the state of Georgia in all classifications. Every game is important."
HE'S JUST A SOPHOMORE?!
"(Sophomore quarterback) David's (Renard) getting better and better each game and then Friday night he had a great night for us. He was able to throw the ball when we needed him to, he made some crucial throws. Blessed Trinity mixed it up and they came out in a completely different front that we hadn't seen to slow down our running game, so we asked David to throw the ball. Drop back and play-action, he did a nice job and he's going to need to do that Friday night. It's going to be fun coaching that kid for the next two seasons."
WHO, US, DEFENSIVE? OH YEA!
"Each season we want to be stout defensively and take pressure off the offense and control the ball when we do have it. They're going to be challenged this week. Marist is a very prolific offense and they're putting up big numbers. You have to be disciplined and we have disciplined kids. They play hard and that's one characteristic about this defense that I truly appreciate is how hard they play. All 11 guys on the field, they try their best to do their job and they're going to give you everything they have."
The Players
Sophomore quarterback David Renard:
On how have things gone to this point and incorporating more of the offense as the season has gone along..
“This year has been going great I think. I learned a lot from Elijah last year and he has been helping me this year as well, watching film, in practice. The team also has been behind me and had my back this year and that has been amazing. In practices they’re letting me throw the ball more to get used to defenses that I’ll see. I feel like I’m getting more comfortable for sure.”
On building some personal confidence against the defending state champs in his biggest challenge of his young career to this point and moving forward against Marist...
“That game was a big confidence booster because it showed I could throw the ball against a really good defense. I felt like I was able to read the defense and make the throws where I needed to. I definitely feel more confident after that game. Marist is another great defense. We’re definitely going to have to score some points because as good as our defense is (Marist) has a great offense as well. But if we just stick to our game plan and do what we do, we can have a good game against Marist.”
On watching your team's defense, which is among the state's best, and using your time against them to get better...
“I love watching our defense. They play as a team and are physical and like to hit people. It’s a lot of fun to watch them out there. When we go against the defense in practice we like to have fun out there. Both groups like to compete out there and see which can win the play. They are a great unit but we can hold our own. They like to cover our receivers tight and I have to make great throws to get them the ball. I know it’s going to be a challenge and when I’m able to make a throw against our guys I feel like I can make that throw against any defense. They have really helped our offense as a whole get better.”
On just how good the Falcons are and how far can they go...
“To me, this is a great team. As hard as we practice and work, I think we can go as far as we want to. We definitely have the talent to go far in the playoffs.”
Senior cornerback Taylor Reeves
On the mentality of the defense when they go out on the field every week and if we've seen their best yet...
“Basically we got out there every time just thinking let’s stop this drive and get off the field and give our offense another chance. Every time we go out there our goal is to keep them from scoring. But I don’t think we’ve seen the best of this group yet, in my opinion. We’re making progress every week and I don’t think there’s a limit to how good we can be. We work hard every day to get better. At this point we’ve really come together as a senior class, especially on defense, and I do think we can go against anybody. I think we showed that last week.”
Describing the defense and what are the keys against Marist...
“Yea, physicality is definitely our thing. We like to play physical but also playing smart at the same time. The key for us will be playing physical, just being ourselves out there. We have to trust our coaches and the schemes we’ve worked on. It’s going to be assignment football and we have to do our own job. If we do that we can have some success.”
On just how good the Falcons are and how far can they go...
“I think we're a great team. We feel we can play with anyone. To me, if everyone plays like they’re supposed to and plays 100 percent, I think anything is possible at this point.”
