East Jackson looking to close the gap in 8-3A

COMMERCE — The story for the 2021 campaign for the Eagles is almost the same as it was in 2020.

The numbers are up. The excitement around a new season is rising. The program continues to grow under now-third-year head coach Cameron Pettus. 

“We have 72 kids out now. That’s doubled since I got here two years ago,” Pettus said during summer workouts. “We feel real good about where we are as a program. The kids are working hard and we’re changing the culture around here.”

Pettus is also asking his group to channel their inner Big Lebowski.

“We’re telling all of our guys to be ‘The Dude,’ to embrace the competition in practice,” he said. “We want them to be able to compete during the season which means you have to compete in practice. We want them to own how hard they are working.

But that also means that many of the same challenges still persist. They play in one of the toughest regions top to bottom in the state (8-3A). Even with increased numbers, they will still be outnumbered by programs like Oconee County, the two-time Class 3A state runner-up, Hart County, and Monroe Area. And, they are still looking for their first winning record and playoff berth since 2009. 

“All of that is still in play but we’re closing the gap here, I believe,” Pettus said. “Our goal was to find the talent already walking the halls and we’re doing that. To have more numbers this year after last year with all the things that went on, that’s a very good sign.

“The kids know that I’m not going anywhere. That was a big issue before I got here so I think a lot of the kids that might have been on the fence about playing because of all the coaching changes are coming out and wanting to be a part of it.”

The Eagles managed just a 1-8 record in 2020 as they battled several COVID issues throughout the season, including having to drop a game with West Hall early on. But of their eight losses, they led two games and were within one play of Franklin County before the Lions pulled away late.

They will have several key holes to fill as offensive playmakers RJ White and Greg Huggs, and defensive end Braxton Standridge, all graduated. But they do return six starters on both sides of the ball, including a pair of linemen each.

The offense will take on a slightly new look as a pair of primarily running quarterbacks in junior Randy Smith, the backup to Huggs last year, and senior Tyler Crow battle for the spot. Junior Gary Maddox and freshman Qua Hill also will give the Eagles a talented backfield.

Both Smith and Crow can throw the ball and will have a talented group of receivers in seniors Marquese Greene and Luke Lindsey, as well as a big tight end in senior Ethan Ardis. After scoring 7 or fewer points five times in 2019, the Eagles showed improvement in 2020 with just one game scoring 9 or less and increasing their output from 15.8 points/game to 19.1 ppg last season.

“We will have to run the ball more this year for sure,” Pettus said. “Maddox has improved a lot and Hill I think could be a special player as he gets older and better. Marquese could be ready to have one of those breakout years I think.

“We still struggled at times to get the ball in the end zone. That has been a big focus for us coming into this season. I really think we’re going to be much better in those situations this year.”

Defensively, however, is where the Eagles will need to make the most improvement. They took a step back last year allowing 42.6 ppg after yielding just 33.6 ppg in 2019.

But they have a new defensive coordinator in Caleb Hardy and a group that is ready to have a breakout season as a unit. Ardis and senior Jeremiah Stansell lead what should be a more physical linebacking group along with freshmen Hill and JZ Lester.  Maddox, Greene, and Lindsey also should provide an athletic secondary.

“I think our linebacking group could be one to watch as a whole,” Pettus said. “Ardis had a growth spurt. Stansell brings a lot of physicality. And the two freshmen I think have tremendous potential.

“Coach Hardy is a tremendous coach and I can already see some of the changes he wants to bring fitting with our personnel. I think we’re going to be able to be more aggressive and utilize a more disruptive zone-blitz scheme. I can’t wait to see how these guys develop.”

The Eagles' non-region schedule lends itself to building some early momentum. They do have a pair of tough games to begin with a home opener against West Hall and then a road matchup against Jackson County, both teams that missed out on the playoffs in 2020 by just one game.

But they follow that with games against Banks County, Gilmer, and East Hall, which were a combined 8-20 in 2020 with both Gilmer and East Hall sporting new coaches. They open region play on Oct. 1 against Oconee County on the road. Two of their last three games will be at home against Franklin County and Stephens County.

While the expectation for almost every program is to make a playoff run, the Eagles may still need another year to challenge in a brutal region. But Pettus feels they are closer now than they were upon his arrival.

“Of course we want to make the playoffs. That’s what you play for,” he said. “It will be a challenging schedule from top to bottom. But I’m hoping we’re closer to the playoffs this year than we were last year, or two years ago.

“These guys are bringing it every day so far. They want to get better. If we can get some early momentum, I think this group has the potential to do something special.”