There are just 32 days remaining until the kickoff of the 2023 high school football season. But make no mistake, preparations for the upcoming campaign began months ago. And teams throughout northeast Georgia are already in full countdown mode.
With that in mind, we spent the last couple of weeks catching up with programs around our area to get a feel for how spring practice went, how the summer is going, and what coaches believe the fall will look like. Our "Two-a-Days" series honors those old-school grinding sessions that lead us out of summer and into fall, asking each area coach two key questions about the state of their respective programs.
Over the next two weeks, AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night will get you prepped for the start of gridiron action with responses from coaches throughout northeast Georgia.
(Teams run in alphabetical order)...
CHEROKEE BLUFF
The Bears took a step back in 2022 after two years as reigning Region 7-3A champions. But they return quarterback Asher Wilson, their entire offensive line, and a plethora of options in the backfield as they try to rebound from a three-win season. They also should be solid on the defensive side as well with a young but talented group.
We caught up with Coach Tommy Jones to see what kind of progress has been made in the offseason as they try to get back in the playoffs in 2023.
QUESTION: You have indicated that initially, the run game could be by committee with Connor Hulsey, Connor Griffin, Rylan Ackerman, and possibly a few others getting solid looks. You also have an experienced offensive line returning. How will two factors impact your offense?
A: The foundation of our offense starts from the inside out, with an emphasis on running the football. When we are able to run it well, it opens up the other facets. It also gives us the flexibility to be more creative with our plan. Our running back group has had a great off-season. These guys have been working extremely hard to make sure that they are prepared physically and mentally for the grind of the season. They each have their own strengths and add something a little different to the equation. I've always thought that offensive football in high school is a journey. Every year, you develop a distinct identity and personality. And the fact that we have five offensive linemen and a tight end returning with quality game experience is obviously a huge plus.
Q: Your secondary may be the strength of the team, with KT Thompson, Landon Kemp, and several others returning. How good can that group get, and will that help the rest of the unit be able to be a little more aggressive?
A: It's always good to have some experience and depth on the back end defensively. That group for us was very young last year but really came along well and improved through the season. We still have a ways to go back there, but they have fun at practice and really work to get better every day, especially in the communication and recognition pieces of the position that are so crucial. And yes, to answer your question, if we continue to progress there, it could give us an ability to be more aggressive at times and take some calculated, situational chances.
