NOTE: There are only 35 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.
Mill Creek has been one of the most-feared offensive teams in the state the last few years. But after graduating half-a-dozen Division I prospects on offense from last year’s team, coach Shannon Jarvis and his staff are going to go a little retro in 2015.
Look for a more traditional pro-style attack as they replace eight starters on offense and try to break an odd-year jinx on making the playoffs. We asked Jarvis how the changes are coming and their mindset on trying to recover from tough first-round playoff loss to end last season.
QUESTION: After averaging 40 ppg over the past four seasons, the Hawks will see wholesale changes on offense with just two linemen returning and the loss of their entire starting backfield. What can fans expect to see on that side of the ball in 2015?
ANSWER: We will be revamping the offense for sure. Finding a consistent line will the biggest priority having to replace three starters. But we also will have to get production from a lot of different people running the ball. We will have a new QB in Jr. Cameron Turley and he is different than (former QB) Daniel (David). Cameron is more of a pro-style guy so we will probably pass a little more than we have in the past. But we will still run the ball. We lost (leading rusher) Jonathan Hawkins and we’ll use more of committee in the backfield. I’m excited about it because we go back to some of the things we used to do before Daniel was here with some more screens and things like that. Our defense should be strong so we’re hoping we don’t have to score 40 a game to get a win.
QUESTION: Mill Creek has never made back-to-back playoff appearances. After getting knocked off in the first round last year, how important is it to produce a second straight playoff appearance?
ANSWER: As coaches and teams everyone out there wants to be known as a power but you have to make the playoffs consistently. This is a point of emphasis for us this year. For us as a program to be considered elite, we have to get in every year. But there is a very fine line, especially in our region, between making or not making the playoffs. Every year there is always one really good team that doesn’t make the playoffs. We haven’t made it in the odd-numbered years so hopefully we break that jinx this year.
COMING UP NEXT: North Forsyth
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/7/322055/two-a-days-hawks-look-to-break-odd-year-playoff-jinx-in-2015