NOTE: There are only 41 days left until the start of the 2015 high school football season -- both around the state and right here in northeast Georgia. With that in mind, AccessWDUN is already in full preparation mode. Over the next three weeks we will give you a sneak peek of what’s in store for 2015 with our "Two-A-Days" series. We will bring you two key questions -- and answers -- for each program in our coverage area, twice a day. Each morning will start a new program, with another highlighted each afternoon. And at the end of each week we will also provide some video footage and commentary from area coaches. Programs will run in alphabetical order.
It was an unusual sight for fans and a bitter bill to swallow for Flowery Branch, which was forced to watch the playoffs from the outside in 2014 after missing out for the first time in 10 years. Coach Chris Griffin said getting back to the playoffs is a high priority for the Falcons as the 2015 season approaches but said getting back to what made the Falcons one of the most feared teams in the area may be just as important.
We talked to Griffin, now in his third year, about just how they plan to get back to the playoffs and on revamping an offense that was once the envy of north Georgia.
QUESTION: The offense scored 17 or fewer points 7 times in 2014 and will have its third offensive coordinator in three years -- Joel Miller from Apalachee. Griffin said finding some offensive production will be a high priority in fall practice.
ANSWER: Last year I had to fill the role (as offensive coordinator) and I’m more of a defensive guy. I did the best I could and most of our offensive coaches were first year coaches so it was a learning experience for all of us as a staff. Bringing in an offensive coordinator in here was a high priority for us and we found a real good one in Joel. He is already putting his fingerprints on the offense and I like what I’ve seen from Day 1 in the spring until now. I think you will see a high emphasis on running the ball. We will throw it like we have in the past but to be successful in football you have to be able to run the ball consistently. We have a very talented group of running backs and we have a lot of guys up front who are bigger and stronger and I feel our offensive line is one of the strengths of the team as we head into the fall.
QUESTION: Unfortunately, you missed qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. What is the key to returning to the playoffs in 2015?
ANSWER: We’ve been fortunate around here and just making the playoffs is not the goal; we have goals beyond that, winning playoff games and making a run. Last year not making the playoffs was very tough, very difficult for us. But we also realized there was a reason behind it and some things we needed to address. We had some injuries and inexperience at key positions. We also a huge number of coaching coaches. When you have all those things going on at one time it can be hard to overcome. But bottom line is we have to make plays on Friday nights and go out there and be the best team on the field, not just talk about it. But we’re taking things one day at a time right now and I like what I have seen so far.
COMING UP NEXT: Gainesville
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/7/321988/2-a-days-falcons-ready-to-put-disappointing-2014-behind-them