There are just 31 days remaining until the kickoff of the 2024 high school football season. But make no mistake, preparations for the upcoming campaign began months ago. And teams throughout northeast Georgia already are 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)...
COMMERCE (11-2 in 2023; quarterfinals Class A D1 playoffs)
Even before the season starts, the Tigers are among a handful of teams in Class A Division 1 that are serious state title contenders. And why not? They return four along the offensive line and both Jaiden Daniels and Tysean Wiggins, who rushed for more than 3,000 yards combined last season, are back as well.
Most of a tenacious defense in 2023 also returns. The only real question coming into the season will be who will run the offense under center in their power rushing attack.
We asked coach Mark Hollars about the offense and what changes, if any, they are trying to implement.
QUESTION: Y’all have an experienced team back with both Jaiden Daniels and Tysean Wiggins back and all but one starter along the offensive line. Are y’all working in any new wrinkles to what is an already explosive offense?
A: We do have an experienced group coming back this year. Having that experience makes the install for offense quicker as our kids know the details of what we are trying to accomplish. We would like to throw the ball more frequently/efficiently and we want to add more options to our arsenal.
Q: But you’re breaking in a new quarterback. Has either (junior) Blake Spear or (sophomore) Mason Brown emerged yet as a full time starter?
A: Blake and Mason will be battling it out throughout all of preseason practices and scrimmages. We will not make any decisions until we have scrimmaged.
- Up Next in Two-a-Days: DAWSON COUNTY
- Previous Two-a-Days: CHEROKEE BLUFF
