FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — After five seasons as head coach at Flowery Branch, Ben Hall is leaving for Oconee County.
Flowery Branch athletic director Jimmy Lawler confirmed the move Tuesday morning and said defensive coordinator Jason Tester will be elevated to head coach.
Hall will take over for Travis Noland, who left Oconee County last month for Jefferson.
"Ben did a great job for us for five years and we appreciate everything he did for our kids, Branch family and our facilities," athletic director Jimmy Lawler said. "We wish him the best of luck on his next venture."
Hall came to Flowery Branch in 2017 after leading Jefferson to four straight playoff berths (two quarterfinals, one second round and one semifinal berth), two region championships and a 44-8 mark.
Over the last five seasons, Hall guided the Falcons to 41 wins, 17 losses, and five playoff berths -- three second round and two first round.
The Falcons finished the 2021 season 8-4 and lost in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs to Perry, 42-7.
The cupboard is not bare at the Branch, however, as the Falcons will move up to Class 5A in August. The Falcons return six starters on offense, including their top-two rushers -- Myles Ivey (910 yards and 12 TDs) and Malik Dryden (314 yards and 6 TDs). Seth Larson (32-439 and 4 TDs) also returns as the Falcons' top target.
But they will have to fill the huge void quarterback David Renard leaves. Renard tallied 1,825 total yards last season and 17 TDs -- 1,369 passing, 459 rushing.
Rising sophomore Brendon Corry, who saw some action last season at quarterback, could enter the 2022 campaign as the favorite to replace Renard.
Defensively, the Falcons return five starters.
