Football fans across the area want to know what the head coach of their favorite team has to say about the upcoming game on Friday night. Friday Game Night also wants to know.
Below are comments from the area’s coaches about either the keys to a win or about the game, in general. Friday Game Night will have coverage of the 14 games in the coverage area Friday night. You can track these games on the FGN twitter page at www.twitter.com/fridaygamenight or on the live scoreboard at www.accesswdun.com/fridaygamenight.
Banks County coach Jay Reid on forgetting last week’s 38-0 debacle vs. East Jackson and the keys to moving forward as they open Region 8-2A play against Social Circle:
“It was just one of the worst nights I’ve ever experienced as a coach but I also think it may serve as a wake-up call for us. We probably had our best practice of the year on Monday and I can see the kids are focused up more on the little things. The key is simple (against Social Circle): ball control. But we also have to hold onto the ball and win the turnover battle."
Buford coach Bryant Apply says starting fast, playing physical and disciplined is going to be key against Newton:
"We were kind of playing in slow motion at the beginning of the Life Christian game. We can't do that against a very good Newton County team and think we will get away with it. We've got to play more physical, especially on defense. We can't give things away -- penalties, missed tackles and missed assignments have been going down each week, but they are still too high in my opinion."
Chestatee coach Shawn Conley looks to win two-in-a-row when they host Fannin County Friday:
"We have to control what we can control. We have to take care of the ball and be fundamentally sound."
Commerce coach Michael Brown on the keys to beating Providence:
"Like any week, we can’t beat ourselves with fumbles, penalties, and busted assignments. We must be disciplined on both sides of the ball and execute the game plan with great effort."
Dawson County coach Sid Maxwell on the Tigers' game against Denmark's explosive team:
"We need to prevent the big play and move the chains on offense and, of course, win the turnover battle."
East Jackson coach Cameron Pettus on the keys to beating Madison County. East Jackson is 3-0 for the first time in a decade:
“We have to play great defensively upfront and handle their FB and QB. We also need to continue creating turnovers and points on defense. Offensively, we have to score and take some pressure off our defense. Special teams are usually deciding factors in tight games, so they must be solid.”
Gainesville coach Heath Webb talks about what the Red Elephants must do to beat Jefferson Friday:
“We've got to take advantage of our possessions because they're going to drain the clock and run the football, so we can't waste possessions. Defensively, we've got to do our job. We've got to play our keys. If your job is the quarterback, you got the quarterback only and trust your teammates to do their job."
Habersham’s Benji Harrison on Stephens County rivalry and the Indian’s 14-game win streak over the Raiders:
“It’s a big game for the community and the kids. They put a lot of stock in it. We don’t really think about the streak (as a team) but obviously our kids want to be the ones to end it and I’m sure the Stephens County kids don’t want to be the team that sees it come to an end. I think that will make for a very intense, competitive game, as it always is. Hopefully, this is finally our year.”
Jefferson coach Gene Cathcart says execution in all phases of the game will be important to win four-in-a-row against Gainesville:
"One would certainly be to improve our execution and our reads or offensive executions. Those big boys and line they have, we're going to have to execute very, very well against that group. We're going to have to limit their big plays. We've got to tackle. We've got to do a good job of trying to win the battle of the kicking game."
Johnson’s Stan Luttrell on making an early trip to Cross Keys (5:15 p.m. Kickoff):
“Focusing on consistent execution will be the key to victory for us in all three phases of the game.”
Lanier Christian Academy's Blake Anderson on the matchup against The King's Academy:
"We have to play a very physical brand of football against King's to be successful. We also will need to cut down on our mental mistakes and play more disciplined. Playing hard and giving great effort from snap to whistle will give us the best opportunity to win."
North Hall’s David Bishop on the White County rivalry:
“When I think about the rivalry, it’s a little different for me. When you consider the history -- both programs having 23 wins -- it shows it’s been close most years. To me, though, it’s more for the adults than maybe the kids. Every year after the game people come up to me and say they won money or something based on the game. It’s crazy.”
Rabun County’s Jaybo Shaw on Region 8-2A and opening region play this week against Putnam County:
“Region 8-2A, in my opinion, continues to get better every season. Our teams are playing a lot of playoff teams from last year -- all three of our non-region games were against playoff teams -- and there are a lot of quality coaches and teams. We’re going to have to play well every week to be able to win. Right now we’re just focused on Putnam County, which is very athletic and has a lot of speed.”
Stephens County coach Wes Tankersley on trying to maintain the Indians’ 14-game win streak against Habersham Central. The Indians (1-3) have lost three straight for the first time since 2009:
“We don’t talk much about the streak. I think everyone knows what it is but our focus is just on trying to get better right now. We’re very inexperienced in several key spots and we’ve played a very tough schedule. This is a big game for us, not because of the rivalry, but just to get ourselves back on track."
Towns County coach Jason Roquemore on how to beat George Walton:
"We need to take care of the football and tackle, tackle, tackle.”
Union’s Brian Allison on 0-3 Monticello:
“Monticello is way better than their record. They’ve played some tough teams. They have a lot of athletes. I’m anticipating a hard-fought game.”
White County’s Tim Cokely on North Hall game:
“It’s usually a tough game. I think this one will be a lot like the last few years -- competitive and hard-hitting. They’re going to run it, we’re going to throw it, and we’ll see who comes out with a win. It should be fun.”
