Increased numbers, rising confidence has Indians thinking big in 2021

HIAWASSEE — “Contagious” is the word third-year Towns County coach Jason Roquemore used to describe what is happening with his Indians program heading into the 2021 season.

“We have taken on the motto of “Be Contagious!” with our energy and positive attitude,” he said. “Getting kids and parents interested in the program has been our No. 1 priority since we got here. I think we’re starting to see some results.”

For sure. Heading into the summer practices, Roquemore touted 43 players currently roaming around the practice fields, almost double the roster from Roquemore’s first two seasons in Hiawassee. 

“It’s really just a culmination of the energy we have tried to put into the program and show in the hallways to get kids interested in playing,” Roquemore said. “You have to give credit to the kids that were in the program in helping us get to this point.”

The increased numbers should give Roquemore and his staff the roster flexibility needed to compete in a brutally tough Region 8-A Public. The larger rosters obviously give coaches more weapons at their disposal but Roquemore said it’s much bigger than just gameday planning.

“Now we can hold practice and work with the kids on a particular unit to help them get better at that position between plays. It also will help us in-game in that we can also make adjustments between series and correct things during a game,” he said. “If the only adjustments you really get to make are at halftime, it’s very difficult to win.”

True depth has almost allows eluded the Indians. While key guys like seniors Kyle Oakes (running back/free safety) and Collin Crowder (wide receiver/strong safety) will still go both ways, others, like sophomore newcomer Connor Chastain at quarterback, will be able to stay rested and make adjustments as needed.

Oakes had one of the best, yet almost unnoticed, 2020 seasons of any running back in northeast Georgia. He battled injury throughout the campaign yet piled up over 1,100 yards with 14 touchdowns in just eight games.

The combination of Chastain and Crowder, along with Oakes, could give the Indians a viable and dangerous passing attack. There is plenty of experience up front as well, led by junior A.J. Edwards.

“I thought Kyle had that breakout year last year and probably didn’t get as much recognition as he deserved,” Roquemore said. “I think he’s ready for an even bigger year. He is a real matchup problem.

“If teams stack the box on us, we feel we can open up the passing game with Connor, who I think will be a good one and gives us a lot of flexibility, which would then gives Kyle more space to run. And he can catch it out of the backfield as well. We have enough guys on the line that we feel we can rotate a couple as well.”

Defensively, however, is where the Indians made their biggest improvement in 2020. After surrendering 537 points (53.7 points per game) in 2019 -- the most in Class A -- they allowed just 220 points (24.4 ppg) last season, the second-fewest in a complete season in program history, behind only the 2008 squad (195 points, 19.5 ppg). And Roquemore said he expects them to be even better in 2021.

“As a unit, I think the entire defense could have a breakout kind of season,” he said. “We have some young and talented linemen in Jacob Young and Joshua Berrong, both just sophomores. Junior Jacob Gillis is a solid player at linebacker, along with sophomore Ian Arroward, and with the secondary we have, I feel like they have a chance to be a tough unit against any style. They are a much more complete unit coming into this season.”

With the increased numbers and talent level, Roquemore and the 2021 Indians are hoping to become just the second team in program history -- the 2017 team being the only one thus far -- to advance to the playoffs. They have a challenging non-region schedule, including tough road games at Armuchee (Aug. 27), Baconton Charter (Sept. 10) and Bethlehem Christian (Sept. 24) sandwiched around a home date with old region foe Lakeview Academy on Sept. 17.

They open the season at home against Pinecrest Academy (Aug. 20) before beginning their road excursions. They open their region schedule on Oct. 1 at Lincoln County in one of the toughest environments in the state.

“Three of those first five games are on the road, which we hope will help this group get used to the likes of Lincoln County and Social Circle in the region,” Roquemore said. “Building some early confidence, however, is crucial. But we also want to be tested and I think we have both with the non-region schedule.

“Lakeview was a playoff team last year and Coach (Lee) Shaw is a great coach. I’m kind of looking at that game to give us an idea of where we are.”

Every program has preseason expectations, and the Indians are no different. In years past, simple improvement was more the standard. For Roquemore, his staff, and the players, that may no longer be the goal.

“As a coach and player, you always want to feel like you have a chance at the playoffs. But you also have to be realistic so as not to give false illusions,” he said. “The first year I didn’t think we were at that level. Last year I thought we had a chance but injuries and COVID issues hurt us.

“This year, with the numbers we have and the talent we have, our goal is the playoffs. We’ve had a very good offseason, which we weren’t able to have last year, and that is making a huge difference. I’m really interested to see how we continue to jell as a team.”