Greg Hunter is blunt about what it’s going to take for his
team to get back on the winning track. The seniors have
to lead and there must be more commitment to the weight
room. Hunter says there’s a talented sophomore class that
should be able to contribute this season. The talent is welcomed, but there could be a few more losses as those young
players learn the ropes.
JENKINS WARRIORS
2012 RECORD: 5-5
THE COACH: Tim Adams
THE PLAYERS: Brenden Carter (Sr., QB/DB), Demetrius Andrews
(Sr., TE/LB), Andre Trimble (Sr., RB), Terry Inman (Sr., OL)
THE WORD: Toward the end of the 2012 season, the Warriors
were sitting at 5-3 with playoff hopes still alive. Then they
lost to Richmond Hill 44-14 and Glynn Academy 70-26. It
was a bad way to end the season and it ended without a
trip to the postseason. This year’s squad will want to forget
about those last two games as soon as possible. The best
way to do that is to get back on the field and win some ball
games. Quarterback Brenden Carter is a threat in both the
running and passing games and could be the key for Jenkins
to have a successful season.
RICHMOND HILL WILDCATS
2012 RECORD: 8-3
THE COACH: Lyman M. Guy
THE PLAYERS: Nick Fitzgerald (Sr., QB), Darius Brown (Sr.,
DB), Nasim Dubose (Sr., WR), Daniel Winters (Sr., FB), Zhane
Roberts (Sr., LB), Jon Zellner (Jr., OL), Bill Buckman (Sr., OL)
THE WORD: The Wildcats couldn’t be stopped in their eight
wins during the 2012 season. And in their three losses,
Richmond Hill lost by a combined seven points. The Wildcats were extremely close to continuing its season in the
first round of the playoffs, losing 17-15 to Warner Robins in
the first round. A lot of players return for the 2013 season,
giving the Wildcats a great chance to claim a region title.
Nick Fitzgerald came on strong as Richmond Hill’s starting quarterback in 2012 and will be motivated to start the
season strong. Up front, offensive linemen Bill Buckman and
Jon Zellner lead a group of offensive linemen that could be
the best in the region. The Wildcats are a strong bunch that
could have a season to remember in 2013.
BRADWELL INSTITUTE TIGERS
2012 RECORD: 2-8
THE COACH: Adam Carter
THE PLAYERS: LaBaron Anthony (Sr., QB), Ziere Diggs (Sr.,
WR), Dangelo Smith (Sr., RB/LB), McKelvin Stafford (Jr., DL),
Nick Drew-White (Sr., WR)
THE WORD: It took awhile for the Bradwell Institute fans to
get their wish, but they got it when it was announced former coach Jim Walsh, Jr.’s contract would not be renewed.
Instead, the school hired former Camden County defensive
coordinator Adam Carter to become the next head coach.
The general feeling around the Bradwell Institute fan base
was that the talent has been in place for successful seasons. Carter will now take his turn to see if he can make
the most of that talent, especially on defense. However,
it’s on offense where the Tigers need more help. They only
averaged 9. 9 points per game, which was inflated some by a
42-point outburst in the season finale against Groves. Take
that away and the Tigers only managed 6. 3 points per game.
GLYNN ACADEMY RED TERRORS
2012 RECORD: 8-4
THE COACH: Rob Ridings
THE PLAYERS: Garrison Hurd (So., RB), Deandre Cooper (Sr.,
WR), Emmitt Thomas (Sr., RB), Lashawn Clark (Jr., RB), Zach
Lamper (Jr., QB)
THE WORD: Glynn Academy had a successful 2012 season
and will be looking for more this upcoming season. However,
the Red Terrors will need to replace quarterback Preston
Delaney, who had a good command over the Glynn Academy
offense. The front-runner for the job would appear to be Zach
Lamper, who can also play fullback and run the ball well.
Speaking of running the ball, that’s something Glynn Academy does well. A trio of backs — Emmitt Thomas, Lashawn
Clark and Garrison Hurd — will give Glynn Academy every
opportunity to move the chains and score touchdowns. The
defense shut out four opponents during the 2012 season
and will look to do more of the same on that end.
WARE COUNTY GATORS
2012 RECORD: 13-2
THE COACH: Ed Dudley
THE PLAYERS: Gordon Dudley (Sr., WR), Montre Merritt (Sr.,
RB), Sam Thompson (Sr., DE), Jamar Johnson (Sr., QB), Steven Wright (Sr., TE/DE), Aubrey Wheeler (Sr., OL), Markevis
Davenport (Jr., FB/LB)
THE WORD: Ed Dudley’s Gators were able to reach the Class
5A championship in 2012, but lost to Gainesville in that final
game. However, the 2013 version of the Ware County Gators
might even be better than last year’s squad. Quarterback
Jamar Johnson has a lot of versatility to his game. He can
run the pro-style offense effectively, but take off running if
his reads aren’t open. Johnson could be poised for big year,
especially with Montre Merritt balancing the offense in the
running game. Ware County should remain the favorite in
Region 3-AAAAA in 2013 with the stacked roster it has.
WINDSOR FOREST KNIGHTS
2012 RECORD: 1-9
THE COACH: Scott Schwarzer
THE PLAYERS: Charles Baker (Sr., LB), Irvin Riley (So., LB),
Roger Crumbley (So., RB), Lamaar Taylor (Sr., DE)
THE WORD: Scott Schwarzer will have a large task upcoming
in the next couple of years as he tries to turn around the
Windsor Forest Knights football program. The Knights lost
nine games in 2012 and only managed 7. 8 points per game.
They also gave up over 30 points per game on defense. However, Schwarzer brings a new energy that’s much needed
to the program. Before leaving Southwest Guilford in North
Carolina, Schwarzer had begun rebuilding that football
team. This will be a new challenge for Schwarzer, and one
that could take some time to do.
4-AAAAA
CHARLES DREW TITANS
2012 RECORD: 6-4
THE COACH: Jarrett Laws
THE PLAYERS: Lester Kanauls (Sr., RB), Brandon Pearson
(Sr., QB), Chris Jackson (Sr., DB), DeAnthony Love (Sr., DB),
Angelo Cofield (Sr., OL/DL), Chiaza Nwadike (Sr., OL)
THE WORD: The Titans have a roster loaded with offensive
talent for the 2013 starters. Up front, there are some big
offensive linemen, including Chiaza Nwadike, who checks
in at 6-3, 280 pounds. This bodes well for senior running
back Lester Kanauls, who packs a lot of power when he runs
the ball. Senior quarterback Brandon Pearson is back and
will be a headache for region coaches to worry about. The
secondary has a couple of seniors, Chris Jackson and DeAnthony Love, two players that should be able to keep plays in
front of the defense. That will be needed as the Titans had a
couple of mishaps defensively a year ago.
CREEKSIDE SEMINOLES
2012 RECORD: 7-4
THE COACH: Olten Downs
THE PLAYERS: Evan Berry (Sr., QB/DB), Elliot Berry (Sr., RB),
Darvin Williams (Sr., WR), Robert Kimble (Sr., OL), Ed Curney
(Sr., LB), Cam Jackson (Sr., DB), Demarcus Morgan (Jr., LB)
THE WORD: Anytime a team has an athlete like Evan Berry
running an offense at quarterback, good things are bound to
happen. With Berry entering his senior season, expectations
are high at Creekside for a deep run. Berry will have help on
offense, with a stacked offensive line to protect him, led by
senior Robert Kimble. Berry’s twin brother, Elliot Berry, is a
dynamic running back himself, with both attracting collegiate
attention (both are the siblings of NFL safety Eric Berry.) Ed
Curney and Demarcus Morgan are quality linebackers that
will anchor a defense that held opponents to 12. 5 points
per game. The biggest adjustment the Seminoles will have
to make is getting accustomed to new coach Olten Downs.
FOREST PARK PANTHERS
2012 RECORD: 0-10
THE COACH: John Diehl
THE PLAYERS: Brandon Williams (Sr., LB), Carlo Dowdell (Sr.,
LB), Jesse Cross (Sr., DB), Earl Jones (Sr., DL), Ryan Acosta
(So. OL), Corey Funches (So., OL), Calvin Thompson (So., OL),
Kyle Bailey (DB), Keonte Brocks (OLB), Justin Hines (DB/RB)
THE WORD: Coach John Diehl is entering his first season at
Forest Park, bringing with him his 184-78-6 record from
his previous coaching stops. Coach Diehl plans to implement the option on offense and the 3-5-3 set defensively.
The Panthers struggled a year ago, so Diehl knows he’s in
for a rebuilding project. He’s asked for commitment and
dedication and says it will take some time for knowledge of
the offensive and defensive philosophies to take root. This
offseason the strength and conditioning programs were
overhauled, so the first step has already been taken. The
team does feature a large senior class, so the potential for a
step in the right direction is there.
MCINTOSH CHIEFS
2012 RECORD: 5-5
THE COACH: Lee Belknap
THE PLAYERS: Andrew Johnson (Sr., QB), Travis Bertke (Sr.,
OL), Jack Steinwedl (Sr., OL), Trey Walters (Sr., WR), Jake
Carney (Sr., LB), Jabari Ajao (Sr., DB)
THE WORD: Quarterback Andrew Johnson returns for his third
and final season as the starters for the Cheifs, a team looking to carry momentum from a year ago. Last season’s five
wins was the most in nearly two decades, but the team is
looking for even more success in 2013. Johnson’s offensive
line should be solid, led by Travis Bertke and Jack Steinwedl,
and he’ll have a trusted target in wideout Trey Walters. The
defense will be young, but linebacker Jake Carney is a the
kind of piece a coach can build around.
MT. ZION (JONESBORO) BULLDOGS
2012 RECORD: 1-9
THE COACH: Ervin Starr
THE PLAYERS: Willie Green, Jr. (Sr., DL), Chris Prewitt (Sr., LB)
THE WORD: Ervin Starr’s rebuilding project got off to a rocky
start in 2012, with the Bulldogs finishing the season 1-9.
Starr is still trying to implement his system to get his players
to buy in and reverse the losing trend. Mt. Zion has gone
1-9 in two of the past three seasons and would love to turn
itself around. Starr does need some time for his rebuilding
effort, but losing two more games in 2012 than in 2011 under the previous coach won’t help matters. Starr will need to
depend on his returning starters having a better grip on the
offensive and defensive schemes in year two of his tenure.
CLASS AAAAA
MUNDY’S MILL TIGERS
2012 RECORD: 4-6
THE COACH: Greg Manior
THE PLAYERS: Rodney Smith (Sr., RB), Jonathan Celestin (Sr.,
LB/TE), Josh Hill (Sr., RB), Rodricous Gates (Jr., QB), Jailyn
Allen (Sr., DB), Dolonte Tedder (Sr., DB), Devonte Haley (Jr.,
OLB), Mark Hawkins (Sr., ATH), Loic Chimi (Sr., K), Darius
Anderson (Jr., OL)
THE WORD: The Tigers were able to both wins some games
and get younger players experience last season. That’s encouraging for coach Greg Manior, who hopes those younger
players will be more mature and ready to make more plays
in 2013, his second season at the helm. The offense lost
only one senior, so there should be some continuity on that
side of the ball. Speed, agility and quickness drills in the offseason were the focus for that unit, which features a strong
offensive line and senior running backs Rodney Smith and
Josh Hill. Defensively, the secondary projects to be strong,
led by seniors Jailyn Allen and Dolonte Tedder.
NORTHGATE VIKINGS
2012 RECORD: 5-6
THE COACH: Tommy Walburn
THE PLAYERS: Torres Johnson (Sr., RB/DB), Benton Washington (Sr., RB), Malik Wade (Jr., DB), T. J. Womack (Sr., RB), Ryan
Fagerstrom (Sr., LB), Aaron Carr (Sr., OL), Rachad Menefee
(Sr., DE)
THE WORD: The Vikings suffered a minor setback in 2012,
backing their way into the playoffs and finishing 5-6 for the
season. That came on the heels of an 11-1 season in 2011,
with the Vikings losing their final game in heartbreaking
fashion. Coach Tommy Walburn will be looking to get his
squad back to the level of play it saw two seasons ago, and
very well could do so thanks to a stout defense in the back
end. Defensive backs Torres Johnson and Malik Wade understand the defensive scheme and can frustrate receivers.
They can also defend the run well, helping to contribute to a
team effort that limited opponents to 17. 7 points per game
in 2012.
OLA MUSTANGS
2012 RECORD: 3-7
THE COACH: John Kovzel
THE PLAYERS: Greg Walker (Sr., RB), Okafa Charles (Sr., FS),
Tyler Wesson (Sr., OL), Connor Schlottman (Sr., DB), Andrew
Johnson (Sr., OL), Cole Bailey (Sr., LB), Ryan Lan (Sr., LB), Will
Smith (Sr., DB), Tyler Pippon (Jr., DB), Cale Gibson (Jr., QB)
THE WORD: The Mustangs will rely heavily on their defense in
2013, at least in the early going. That’s both because that
side of the ball figures to be strong and the offense will be a
work in progress. The defensive line should be stout, as well
as the linebacking corps, led by Cole Bailey and Ryan Lan.
Offensively, graduation claimed every skill player from a year
ago. Junior quarterback Cale Gibson will likely get the nod.
If Gibson is to have success, the offensive line will have to
solidify early in the season. That unit, as well as the secondary, is one of the biggest question marks entering the year.
STARR’S MILL PANTHERS
2012 RECORD: 3-7
THE COACH: Chad Phillips
THE PLAYERS: John Smith (Sr., RB), Kyle Moseley (Sr., QB),
Alex Ashley (Sr., DL), Elijah Bragg (Sr., K), Gerron Smith (Sr.,
DB), Terence Harper (Jr., TE), Dion Munerlyn (So. ATH), Jacory
Brooks (So. DL), Jason Akins (Sr., OL)
THE WORD: The Panthers are hopeful tailback John Smith
returns to form after missing all of last season with a broken
leg. Smith was line to have a big year last season, but his
injury was the most glaring for a team that was riddled with
hurt players in 2012. Numerous young players were called
into action early, perhaps a blessing in disguise. Those players are now a year older and have experience to fall back on.
Quarterback Kyle Moseley returns under center. He’ll direct
an offense that hopes to shift to a look with more agile offensive linemen. While the offense will look to control the
ball, the defense needs the secondary to improve in order
for success to be achieved. Gerron Smith will be looked to
for leadership at that unit.
UNION GROVE WOLVERINES
2012 RECORD: 10-2
THE COACH: Paul Burgdorf
THE PLAYERS: Jonathan Slade (Jr., QB), Luke Parker (Jr., RB/
LB), Caleb Ham (Sr., WR/DB), Lane Henderson (Sr., OL),
Austin Brown (Sr., WR/LB)
THE WORD: Union Grove appears to have a future college
quarterback on its roster as a high school junior. Jonathan
Slade is a 6-6 product with a cannon for an arm. He was a
major reason why the Wolverines improved from 5-5 in 2011
to 10-2 in 2012. Now, Slade and the Wolverines believe the
offense can make another leap and get even further in
the postseason. Slade’s top target in 2013 will be senior
receiver Caleb Ham, a speedster Slade often threw the ball
to a season ago. The offense averaged 27 points per game
and could wind up putting up 30 or more each week during
the upcoming season.
WHITEWATER WILDCATS
2012 RECORD: 12-2
THE COACH: Amos McCreary
THE PLAYERS: Colton Clemons (Sr., LB), Josh Alexander (Jr.,
CB), Christian Wafford (Jr., LB/RB), Russell Welch (Jr., FB),
Matt Ogle (Sr., DE/ TE)
THE WORD: It’s a safe bet Colton Clemons will be at the heart
of most of the action this season for Whitewater. The 6-2,
212 linebacker is entering his third season as a starter.
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FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GEORGIA 2013