Football 2014: Pavao ready to bring aggression, speed to Fannin County

BLUE RIDGE -- New Fannin County coach Jim Pavao didn't know much about Fannin County's 2-8 season when he set foot on campus -- and he didn't care.<br /> <br /> All Pavao knows is that he likes what he has seen so far as his Rebels prepare for the 2014 campaign in what is expected to be a wide-open and revamped Region 7-AAA.<br /> <br /> "I know that we will be a young team on the field but we have some athletes and speed in a lot of key spots," Pavao said. "They have responded well to what we want to do so far."<br /> <br /> Pavao came from Gainesville, where he was the defensive coordinator for a team that fielded ferocious and aggressive units that sometimes played in the shadow of the spread offense led by Deshaun Watson. Yet he liked that offense so much he brought it to Blue Ridge.<br /> <br /> "We have the personnel to run it," Pavao said. "No one has a Deshaun but our guys are learning the system quickly, and I think as the season goes on we'll be more and more competitive."<br /> <br /> The offensive line, led by senior move-in Cody McPeek, who was an All-state player in Kentucky, and senior center Will Davis, should be a key strength for the Rebels. Sophomore QB Brad Davis will have some solid targets to throw to in Daniel Lang, Hunter O'Neal, and Cooper Earls. Junior Dakota Archie is expected to anchor the backfield.<br /> <br /> "Our receivers are athletic and Brad is learning more every day," Pavao said.<br /> <br /> Defensively the Rebels will play the same 3-4 style Pavao ran at Gainesville and junior defensive back Jack Roper will anchor an improved defense that allowed over 42 points per game last season.<br /> <br /> "We'll be faster, and once everyone learns the system more I think we could be pretty good by the end of the season," Pavao said.<br /> <br /> Will it be enough for the Rebels, who have managed just three wins over the past two seasons? In 7-AAA, where there are no clear-cut favorites, Pavao believes so.<br /> <br /> "The region, as I see it, is a toss-up, top to bottom," Pavao said. "If we can stay healthy and improve each week we have as good a chance as anyone else. I feel we have the talent to compete. We just have to get everyone on the same page and bring our A-game every Friday night."

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/8/278330