There are just 23 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)
LUMPKIN COUNTY (12-1 in 2023; quarterfinals Class 3A playoffs)
The Indians checked several program boxes in 2023 with first-ever region title, first 12-win season, first playoff win, and a trip to the quarterfinals. However, several key cogs on that group graduated, including running back Mason Sullens and most of what was an experienced offensive line.
But they do return dynamic quarterback Cal Faulkner and plenty of playmakers on offense.
We asked Coach Heath Webb how the summer has been shaping up as they try and duplicate, or improve, on the best season in program history.
QUESTION: Coach, y’all had a career season in 2023. What has been the message coming into this season as y’all try to build off last year?
A: Let's be even better. We went from one playoff game in 2022 to three in 2023. Now we want more. This team is willing to take the challenge of being even better. We always feel like we have something to prove.
Q: Cal is back to run the offense. But you will be rebuilding along the offensive line. How is that group shaping up and who are some guys that have shown promise during the summer in moving into those roles?
A: We're much deeper along the O-line than we've ever been and probably more talented. We've got six or seven guys that can play guard or center and four we feel good about playing tackle. The only thing we're lacking is experience. The challenge is finding the right combination and getting them to gel together as a unit.
BONUS QUESTION: Running back Mason Sullens graduated after two outstanding seasons. You said it may be running back by committee in 2024 but who are some guys that have begun to step up to perhaps be an every-down back behind Faulkner?
A: Nolan Matthews will transition from WR to RB to be our primary guy. He's strong with elite speed. He will also play defense so that does mean we will have to have a committee approach. Jackson Bell, Connor Bagley and Caleb Wendl all show much promise and will be in the mix.
- Up Next in Two-a-Days: NORTH FORSYTH
- Previous Two-a-Days: LANIER CHRISTIAN
