Leopards ready for 2021 after 'erasing' 2020 season

HOMER — Despite being in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic last year, the 2020 campaign for the Leopards started with much promise.

They had the bulk of a young group returning and rising numbers overall (52 on the roster) as coach Jay Reid and his staff felt a winning season for the first time since 2016 was within sight.

But any positivity ended almost before September began. Starting quarterback Bowen Roberts was lost to a season-ending injury early on and by the end of the season, contract tracing had reduced their roster to just 15 players and forced them to forfeit their first-round playoff game.

As far as Reid and his staff and players are concerned, 2020 has been erased from the databanks.

“There’s not much we can really take from last year,” Reid said at the start of summer workouts as they prepare for the 2021 season. “We basically flushed it. However, the kids were grateful to just be able to play, even through the quarantines and injuries. Other than that, it was a rough year.”

Bowen wasn’t the only front-line starter to go down in 2020. But he is back, as is most of an offensive group that managed to get some valuable experience, albeit sporadically. 

The numbers for 2021 already are on the upswing for the Leopards with more than 60 set to begin this summer and into fall practice.

“Injuries were really hard on us last year,” Reid said. “We went into several games wondering if we would have enough healthy guys to play. So, to see the numbers up before we even got to the summer, that's very encouraging, especially after last season.

“We’re really excited about this group. We have just about everybody back that was out and we’re ready to get going.”

An experienced offensive line, led by senior 2020 first team All-Region 8-2A selection Jordan Johnson, returns four, including seniors Isaiah Storm and Talmadge Wilkinson, as well as juniors Aubrey Allen and Eli Ward.

They will have to replace their entire backfield with the graduations of longtime starters Jonathan Moon and Jace Bennett. But the biggest loss may be receiver Carter Stroud in the passing game.

Senior Roman Haynes should get the bulk of the carries at tailback while senior wide receiver Lukas Marlow gives Bowen a primary solid target.

“Bowen was ready for that big year last year and he’s probably going to be in better shape this year so we’re expecting him to have a good year,” Reid said. “The thing on the offense will be finding some key guys to go with Roman and Lukas to give us as many options as possible. But we have several guys that we think could be ready by the time the season starts. With the line we have, I feel we have a chance to be much better on this side of the ball.”

On special teams, the Leopards should be in good shape with Cade Simmons back to handle the place-kicking duties. Junior Kellon Walley, senior Cade Herrien, and Haynes give them plenty of speedy options in the return game.

Defensively, however, the Leopards may already be set to field a group that has a chance to be among the best in Region 8-2A.

They will be bigger along with the front seven and quicker at the skilled positions on the back end. Storm, a first-team All-Region 8-2A selection on defense in 2020, leads a talented line that also includes senior Gavin Arrowood, junior Jonathan Burkett and sophomore Robert Walker. Haynes and Marlow, along with senior Jasper Miller, make up an athletic linebacking group. Senior Lane Hopper leads what should be a good secondary with Walley and sophomore Shane Roberts.

“Isaiah could be one of the best linemen in the region,” Reid said. “As a team, we’re already seeing these guys come in in better shape than at any time at this point in my four years here. We’re light-years down the road.

“I really feel like we have depth on this side of the ball, especially on the line and at linebacker. I believe this group can keep us in ballgames, as long as we stay healthy. But I also think a real key for the entire team will be having some early success so that they can see that they can compete. Early success will be key for us.”

Getting that early success will come with some challenges. They open on the road against perennial power Commerce, a team they have only beaten twice in their history and have dropped 16 straight in the series. They follow that with their home-opener against Franklin County, a playoff team from 2020. They also have five other playoff teams on the schedule, including Haralson County and Rabun County.

“We have a tough schedule but it’s that way every year,” Reid said. “In non-region, we need to come out and play some good football to build some momentum going into region play. But right now our focus is just on Commerce and just getting ready for that one.

“We try not to look ahead. But with this group and how they have come into the summer ready to work and get better, I like where we are. I expect us to play hard and compete every week. And if they improve the way we think they can, I fully expect us to be in the playoff race by the end of the season.”