Webb's '1,000-day' plan for GHS arriving sooner than expected?

GAINESVILLE — How long is a 1,000 days when you really sit down and contemplate it? It's actually a little less than three years for those without their slide rule handy.

For a football coach and a rebuilding program, it can seem like an eternity.

But for Gainesville coach Heath Webb, it’s transpiring quicker than expected. And that’s a good thing for the Red Elephants as they enter Webb’s second season at the helm in 2019.

“When we got here we looked at the rebuilding of the program as a 1,000-day project as we tried to bring in a cultural shift, which is basically how we think, act, and speak as a program,” Webb said. “I feel like we’ve already made big strides and we’re only 400 or so days into this thing. We’re way ahead of the curve, in my opinion.

“The key is that our middle school program has been revamped -- I hired all the coaches -- and is now running the same systems with the same mentality on how we want the program to be handled.”

However, based on last season -- the program’s worst record-wise (2-9) since 1999 -- it would be easy to wonder looking in from the outside. The Red Elephants did manage to keep their 19-year playoff streak alive in 2018 but a loss to Creekside in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs marked a third straight first-round exit.

Gainesville had one of northeast Georgia’s most impressive runs over an eight-year period (2008-14), making the quarterfinals or better seven times with four semifinal berths and two state championship games, including capturing the 2012 Class 4A state title. Longtime fans and boosters have appeared restless as the Red Elephants' have posted three consecutive losing seasons, their longest such streak since 1998-2000.

With what the Red Elephants have returning in 2019 and a full season in the new system, they may not have to worry about either of those streaks. But the totality of the schedule is brutal for sure.

They open the season against perennial power and Class 4A quarterfinalist Mary Persons and that could be a very quick measuring stick for the 2019 season. The Bulldogs routed Gainesville 42-0 last year in a game that was called at halftime due to weather.

They will once again have back-to-back contests with Class 7A foes, North Forsyth and Lambert. They close out the non-region portion against Jefferson and Flowery Branch, both are expected to be healthy and region and state title contenders once again. Gainesville will open region play with a bang, taking on defending three-time Region 8-6A champ Dacula on the road and will close out region play at home against Apalachee and Class 6A semifinalist Lanier. If the Red Elephants have found the progress they are looking for by Nov. 8, it could be a three-way battle for second place.

“(Mary Persons) is going to be very, very good again but I think that can be a game for us to see how much better we have gotten over the past year,” Webb said. “Again, it’s one of those things where even if we don’t get the win, we can see what kind of progress we are making. The 7A schools will be better than last year, I hear, and then Branch and Jefferson, with all the guys they have coming back and healthy, we don’t have an easy game. Dacula is still the team to beat in Region 8-6A but I think we should be able to compete for a playoff spot."

On the field, the Red Elephants should be more experienced in several key areas, most importantly at quarterback where junior Gionni Williams, who did not start until midway through last season, is back. Junior Lenny Chatman, the team’s leading receiver in 2018 and senior Walt Dixon will headline a good group of receivers along with big senior Makius Scott at tight end. Senior JD Brooks will carry the load out of the backfield.

But the star of the offense may be upfront where senior Jordan Williams, who has multiple Division I offers, and junior Cedrick Nicely and sophomore Elijah Ruiz lead a big, physical line that is projected to be one of the best in the state.

“The line is really, really good, as long as they stay healthy, of course,” Webb said. “In my 11 years as a coach, this by far is the best line I’ve ever had. They showed signs last year of how good they can be and now they’re a year older and stronger. As they go, so will we. They could fast-forward that 1,000-day calendar a good bit for us.

“Gionni has had a full off-season in our system and has gotten more reps and looks more comfortable and polished as a passer. He has plenty of targets to work with. The running game may be more by committee right now but we’ll see how things play out during the fall. We like our skilled guys across the board.”

Over the years the Gainesville defense has been known for its speed and ability to get to the ball. But because of their size up front, the Red Elephants will base out of a 4-3 more in 2019 to take advantage of the likes of Scott, a Division I prospect at defensive end, and junior Ignacio Olvera. At linebacker senior Ques Borders and sophomore Yusif Ali, both could have breakout seasons.

The biggest question mark may be in the secondary. There is talent with Chatman and Brooks but they may have to rely on some younger guys like freshman DJ Miller and the competition will be ongoing until the season-opener.

“On defense, I feel like we’re kind of the anti-Gainesville as in years past because we’re much bigger than what many of the (GHS) teams have been in the past,” Webb said. “The cycle has turned to more big linemen right now so we’re going to change up a little of what we do to play to the strengths we have. I feel our defense will be able to hold teams down better than last year. I really see big years for Makius, Ignacio, Ques, and Yusif could be the young guy to really watch this year. Very excited about what we have defensively.”

With five playoff teams from 2018 on the schedule, including their Region 8-6A battles, Webb was realistic that breaking the program’s three-year streak of losing records may be an uphill battle while they are just in their second season of what he described in 2018 as “a total rebuild.” But he was quick to recognize that his group has embraced the challenge.

Webb said the outside chatter about the state of the program is not something they listen to.

“There are people who always think Gainesville should win every game,” he said. “We’re not worried about what the outside expectations are right now. We have an administration and a Board of Education that understand what we are doing and are letting us build the program the right way. 

“Building the program supersedes any amount of wins at the moment. But we’re not going to sacrifice the season by any means. We don’t want to go through (a 2-8 season) again but if we’re moving the program forward in all the other areas I’ll be okay with that.”