Today’s interviewee is Cass coach Steve Gates, whose team defeated fourth-ranked Jefferson 27-17 in the Class 5A first round Saturday. The victory was the first for Cass in the postseason since 1983. Cass’s record is 16-16 in three seasons under Gates. It was 5-25 in the three prior seasons.

1. How did you win that game? “Our coaches implemented a game plan last Sunday, and we worked on it throughout the week, and the kids executed it flawlessly. Jefferson was, in our opinion, so well-coached, almost to a fault. It’s a good thing to be well-coached, but it’s also something that can be predictable. They’d given up 35 points in their last eight games. If I was them, I wouldn’t change anything either because it worked. They gave us a lot of stuff underneath. They don’t like to get beat, but we cracked the code on the second play of the game on a 67-yard bomb to Sacovie White [a junior wide receiver committed to Georgia], but overall, we threw a ton of stuff underneath. Then obviously, we had to know where [Jefferson star linebacker] Sammy Brown was the entire game. If anybody wants to know what a five-star looks like, Google Sammy Brown. He’s an absolute monster. We knew in certain formations where they’d put him. We didn’t necessarily run away from him, but we knew where he was. We had great game plan on offense and defense and stuck to it. Even when we got up 20-0, we kept throwing the football, and it was a fun night.”

2. Sacovie had a good game and a big catch, as you mentioned. What can you tell us about him that not only high school football fans would want to know but also Georgia fans who will be seeing him in a couple of years? “Sacovie is a very unique kid. He’s very confident but not cocky or arrogant, if that makes sense. He feels he’s better than you, and he’ll tell you that, but he also shows you that. That’s just Sacovie. Each week when he watches film, he’ll tell me who their best player is, and that’s who he wants to line up across from him. Fortunately for us, nine times out of 10, he’s going to win that battle.”

As a college prospect: “He’s 5-9, and he’s not 5-10. My kids know that I don’t fib, I don’t lie, I don’t fudge. Coaches would reach out to me to watch his film. They would be excited, and they ask for his real height. For some, that was the end of the conversation. It wasn't for Coach [Kirby] Smart. Coach Smart physically saw him play football this summer and offered him on the spot. He didn’t bat an eye on the height. So it doesn’t surprise me one bit that he’s going to Georgia. That’s Coach Smart’s M.O. on certain kinds of players, like Ladd McConkey. There’s not many 5-9 kids that can do what Sacovie does. The college scene will see him in 18 months. He’ll be returning punts day one at Georgia. You can put that down.”

3. Your region swept in the first round. What was your reaction to that? “I was not shocked at all. Having been in some very difficult regions before at Kell [as an assistant coach], there was Kell, Rome and Carrollton, so it’s nothing new to me personally. Then I came to Cass two years ago and got Calhoun, Cartersville and Blessed Trinity and I’m thinking good lord, this is difficult as well. Then realignment comes out this year, and we lost Blessed Trinity but pick up Dalton, so we’re back to where we were. And there’s Hiram. They beat our region champion [in the regular season]. I truly believe we have one of, if not the, toughest regions in the state, and it showed in round one.”

4. Changing the historic order of things in northwest Georgia with Cartersville, Calhoun and other top programs isn't easy. What's been the toughest thing, and what does this victory do toward that goal? “This victory is huge for the program. There’s all the records that go with it, the first time since 1983 that we’ve won a playoff game, so there’s a lot of accolades that go with that win, but in the big picture, we’re just still working toward the goal of becoming an elite program year in and year out. The difference in a Calhoun and a Cartersville and a Cass is consistency. This year is the first time in school history that Cass had made the state playoffs in back-to-back years. That’s never happened in 71 years. To me, that’s the start of consistency. And we’re still young. At any point in time, we’ve got five or six starting freshmen and five or six starting sophomores. We’re going to get 17 or 18 starters back. Both my tackles are 14-years-old. We’re doing this and still being extremely young. My O-line coach said it best. 'It's always been, oh good, we get to play Cass this week. I think the time is changing to where people are now saying, oh heck, we got to go play Cass this week.' That means we’re making a name for ourselves.”

Today’s interviewee is Jon Nelson, a high school sports correspondent and show host at Georgia Public Broadcasting for more than 20 years. He’s co-host with Hannah Goodin of the “Football Fridays in Georgia” podcast and part of the coverage team for GPB Sports’ game of the week, which tonight is Blessed Trinity vs. North Forsyth.

1. Why did you pick Blessed Trinity-North Forsyth as your game of the week, and what are you looking forward to in that game? “In our team analysis, GPB thought the BT-North Forsyth game was the most evenly matched and competitive game in Round One of the playoffs. As a side note, everyone in the North Forsyth community is incredibly excited to have us there for the first time on our air in the history of “Football Fridays in Georgia.” We're really looking forward to being on Coal Mountain.”

2. What has been the most interesting story line or trend of the 2022 season entering the playoffs? “Wow. I think it's the variety of what we're seeing. With reclassification, we have some new teams that are making statements in the regular season. Can they keep it up in the postseason? We also have three teams in Georgia high school football ranked in the top 25 nationally – Buford, Mill Creek and Hughes – and I think it speaks well of where the state stands in the discussion. Can those teams finish what they started with all the expectations and eyes on them?”

3. Who do you have to win it in each class? “The team that scores the most points in the last game of the year! As I always say: I love all of my children equally! I think, looking at my brackets as we talk, there's a handful of teams in each class that, if the bracket works their way, have a chance at a title. And I also think that in the lower classifications, you'll have really competitive run-ins for a lot of talented teams.”

4. GPB is broadcasting loads of flag football games this season on Thursday. Why, and what are your impressions of the games you've watched this year? “I love it. Ever since Ernie Yarbrough, assistant executive director at the GHSA, brought this idea to the table as a sport he wanted to have officially sanctioned, we have seen flag football grow from just under 20 metro Atlanta-area schools to over 200, and it's still growing. When we started showing the title games as a part of championship weekend, we seriously had comments on our social media platforms telling us that ‘the sport was the guilty pleasure I didn't know I had ’til I started watching it.’ And to see something like flag grow as exponentially as it has, complete with scholarships awarded when games were over, it's been really cool. GPB understood the importance of showing these games from the beginning as an integral part of celebrating our student-athletes. The 2021 state championship replays are some of the most popular downloads on our YouTube channel, and the athleticism is off the charts.”

Today’s interviewee is Holy Innocents’ coach Todd Winter, whose team won Region 6-4A and will play Hampton on Friday in the first round. The computer Maxwell Ratings picked Holy Innocents’ to finish in third place and gave the Atlanta private school a 15.9% chance to win the region. Winter is in his sixth season as the Golden Bears’ coach.

1. What made winning this region such an accomplishment, and how did your team pull it off? “The past five years, our classification was Single A Private. This past year we moved up three classifications to 4A and we were unsure of how much of an adjustment this transition would be for our program. We went from primarily competing against schools of similar size to facing schools with four times our high school enrollment on a weekly basis. This region title is a testimony to the hard work our players and coaches have put forth as well as the administrative and community support to the program. Our program's culture has been the key to our success on the field this year and in the past few seasons. Our players believe and play for one another. We are built on being servant leaders.”

2. What went into your school's decision to play in Class 4A? And what do you think of the GHSA's way of classifying? “During the 2020 reclassification cycle, we asked to be moved to 2A and were denied. So this past cycle we asked to move to 4A before the GHSA imposed the new multiplier rule that moved us to 4A. Our primary reason for wanting to move up was the opportunity to play Westminster, Pace and Lovett. All three schools are close in proximity and natural rivalry games for us. I have no issue with the GHSA's classification procedures and the way they reclassified this past cycle. My only wish is that we would have been placed in a region with Westminster, Pace and Lovett.” [The GHSA put Holy Innocents’ and Westminster in a region with three DeKalb County schools and one Fulton school. Lovett and Pace Academy are in Region 5 with schools from Clayton and Henry counties.]

3. Your team appears to have played its best games the past two weeks. You went from narrowly beating two non-playoff teams [Miller Grove, Southwest DeKalb] to winning comfortably against two playoff teams [Stephenson, Hapeville Charter]. What explains that? “Westminster was very similar to the teams we had played in Single A Private competition, while Miller Grove and Southwest Dekalb were much different. Miller Grove and SWD were much bigger, faster and more physical than teams we played in Single A and in our non-region schedule. We struggled in those two games adjusting to their size, overall team speed and physicality. I believe adjusting to those factors and gaining confidence led to our team improving in the last two games.”

4. What should fans know about your team? The style of play, identity, etc.? “Our style of play is an anomaly compared to most teams. We are an under-center triple-option attack on offense that averages 4.7 pass attempts per game. We want to run the ball, slow the game down and keep our defense off the field. In the Miller Grove game, we did not attempt a pass. On defense, we are multiple and aggressive. Our defense has created 29 takeaways this season. In special teams, we want to be sound and create opportunities for our offense and defense to be successful.”

Today’s interviewee is Harlem coach Mark Boiter, whose team defeated Morgan County 27-13 last week in a game that decided the Region 4-3A championship. It is Harlem’s first region title since 1974. Boiter is a Harlem alumnus who has worked at his alma mater for his entire 17-year coaching career, the past three as head coach.

1. It’s the school’s first region title since 1974. You’re an alumnus. What does this accomplishment mean to you, this team and your school? “It was a special moment for sure. I’m an alumnus of Harlem. As a player and coach, I’ve been a part of this program for 20 years. We have two other coaches on our staff who are also alumni. Chris Waters has been coaching here for 20 years, and Lonnie Morris has been coaching here for 42 years. Our players, coaches, boosters, school and community have put in a tremendous amount of work to make this possible.”

2. You’ve had some pretty good teams the past 10 years or so. What separates this one? You’re not giving up many points, I notice that. “Defense has been the difference. We have had some truly talented teams, and we’ve been able to score points for the past several years, but our defensive coordinator Brian Usry and our defensive staff have done an incredible job this year of putting an emphasis and edge on that side of the ball. Our players on defense have taken great pride in what they do week in and week out.”

3. When you got the job in 2020, was it a goal to become head coach? What’s the story of your getting the job? “My entire coaching career has been at Harlem High. I coached for Jimmie Lewis for nine years. When he retired from football, I applied for the head coach job. I didn’t get it, and that was probably the best thing for me. Todd Booker got the job, and I stayed on and coached under him for the next five years. I had the privilege to coach for two outstanding mentors who had different styles but the same core values. Their tutelage meant the world to me. When Coach Booker stepped down, I felt I was more prepared to do the job, so I applied again. I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity in 2020. I’ve endured some growing pains over the last three years, but I do my best to continue to learn and grow as a coach, a servant and a leader as much as possible.”

4. What have you and the staff done that’s made the most difference in taking the program to the next level? “All credit to our players. Their work and their commitment have been outstanding. Our staff works incredibly hard to put our guys in the best position possible so that they can make plays, but it’s been the work and commitment of our players that has been the difference. We talk to them often about leaving a legacy for future players, and they have done that. They understand that there is more to be accomplished this season as well. We still have goals yet to be achieved.”

Today’s interviewee is Brunswick coach Garrett Grady, whose team defeated Effingham County 30-27 last week in a game that decided the Region 2-6A championship. Grady had been on Brunswick’s staff for five seasons until promoted to head coach this year. Brunswick (10-0) will play 10th-ranked Houston County in the first round Friday.

1. Tell us about last Friday’s game. What made the difference? What were some of the memorable things about it? “Glynn County Stadium was packed out, and the atmosphere was electric. Both teams played extremely hard and made big plays throughout the game. I have nothing but respect for coach John Ford, his staff and his team. It was a heck of a game. Our wide receiver Terry Mitchell made some great plays throughout this whole game on offense and on special teams. He had 10 catches for 170 yards receiving and two touchdowns. One of those TDs was a great punt return. Our defense played extremely hard and kept battling. Special teams played a key role as well with the big punt return and a field goal. Our offense made plays when we needed to and converted some key downs to sustain drives. It was a total team win. Our kids earned every bit of that game and championship.”

2. This is your first season as a head coach. What’s that experience been like? Are there things that you didn’t expect that you’ve learned? “It has been such a learning experience for me. There are things that I thought I handled as an assistant very well, and there are things that I never expected would come up that I have encountered. It has been a positive experience for me to grow professionally and allowed me to build trust in my assistant coaches to coach/mentor our players. I am big on relationships, Relationships are currency. The way you treat people goes a long way, and we want to do right by our players in every aspect.

“One thing that I think we have done an extremely good job of at Brunswick High is with our community outreach. We wanted our team and our players to be visible in the community and become great role models for our young fans that come out to support our games every Friday night. We have gone to elementary schools and opened car doors and been on the bus loops in the mornings greeting the students. We have attended numerous PBIS pep rallies, and we have read books to students. These are just a few ways we wanted to give back to the community of Brunswick and show our appreciation for their support during the season.”

3. Brunswick is 10-0 for the second straight season. How is this team different from last year? Is it the same team but a year older, or was there much rebuilding? “This team has a lot of returning starters on offense, defense and special teams, but there are some key roles that are different. Our quarterback, J.R. Elkins, is in his first year as the starter, along with a few new running backs as well [Jamarious Towns, William Heck and Ivan Johnson]. We had to replace our two inside linebackers from a year ago and a few guys in the secondary on defense. Our culture for our program is built on the motto ‘All About The Family.’ We truly have a family atmosphere around our team and coaching staff. Our guys play for each other and give it their all because they care for one another.”

4. You’ve got a tough draw in the first round [Houston County]. What concerns you about them? “I think they may be the best No. 4 seed I have ever seen before. Coach Jeremy Edwards and his staff have a very explosive team. Coach Edwards has done a great job in his first season as a head coach. They play in one of the toughest regions in the state of Georgia in all classifications. They have an unbelievable quarterback [A.J. Hill] that can make any throw on the field, talented running backs that run behind a big offensive line and some wide receivers that can blow the top off of coverages. Defensively they are very talented as well. The defensive line is tough and plays hard, and their linebackers fly around to the football, with a secondary that plays well in pass coverage and gets involved in run support. They have played very well against some of the top 10 teams in the 6A – Thomas County Central, Northside [of Warner Robins], Lee County, and those are region games.”

Today’s interviewee is LaGrange coach Matt Napier, whose team defeated fourth-ranked and previously unbeaten Troup 38-34 last week in a must-win rivalry game for the Grangers to get into the playoffs out of Region 4-4A. Napier became a head coach for the first time in 2020. LaGrange is 25-9 in three seasons under Napier after going 4-26 over the previous three seasons. Napier’s younger brother, Kurt, became a head coach this season at Murray County and got his first victory Friday in a rebuilding program. His older brother, Billy, is Florida’s head coach and got a good win Saturday at Texas A&M. They are sons of Bill Napier, a longtime football coach in northwest Georgia who passed away in 2017 after a long battle with ALS.

1. What are the biggest takeaways for you from the Troup victory? “It was a big win for our program. These young men have shown a tremendous amount of commitment, resiliency and buy-in to the program that our staff brought in from day one. Any time you win a rivalry game, it helps bring validation to the process and work that you’ve had them committed to over the last several years. The win was also big for our community. Granger pride is something that our people put a tremendous amount of emphasis on, so restoring that pride in our program now and the direction we are headed in is critical for our future as we continue to build LaGrange back into a consistent winner. It takes a tremendous amount of focus, attention to detail and preparation to win big games, and we felt like our guys really focused on those things throughout the week leading up to the game. We also won the turnover battle, and in big games that’s critical. Can’t say enough about our kids’ effort and toughness, both physical and mental, throughout the game.”

2. What was the mindset of the team, or the message of coaches, after losing two tough back-to-back games to Whitewater and Starr’s Mill in midseason that put your backs to the wall? What allowed you to rally and get in the playoffs? “We knew we had a good team, and the kids never wavered during those two close losses. We say it all the time when we talk about ‘responding to adversity,’ that we have to keep our composure and stay the course when things don’t go your way. Our staff and players got an opportunity to show how we respond when that moment came for us. Our region has been extremely tough this year. We knew it would be when we saw the teams in the offseason, so we knew that we would have some really tough battles against these teams. We grew and learned from those games to help us be put in the position we are now. We’ve had a 1-0 mindset every week coming off the Whitewater game. and we knew we had to win out to make it to the playoffs. We’ve had a playoff mentality from that game on, and we were able to find a way to win in several big games to finish the regular season.”

3. You’ve got a tough draw for a No. 2 seed – Burke County. Have you had time to scout them? What are your thoughts about them and having to play such a good team to open the playoffs? “Absolutely tough draw getting those guys in the first round. Coach [Eric] Parker has done a great job there for several years, and he has another talented, well-coached team that we have to face Saturday. We’ve watched them and know that they have been battle-tested as well. They have a tough region with very good competition week in and week out, so we know they will be coming in with a great team. I told the team Friday night the importance of being able to move on. We wanted to celebrate this win, but I also told them about the tradition of LaGrange High football. We are not even close to content with a win over our rival. The goal and expectation here is to compete for a state championship and get ready for a run in the playoffs. That starts with a very good Burke County team. I know our team and what they’ve been through in the past, so we fully expect our team to be able to move forward really quickly.”

4. Your dad raised a family of good coaches, leaving a great football legacy. Lots of things exciting things have happened with you and your brothers professionally since he passed away. What kind of coaches’ father was he? What would he make of all that his sons have so recently accomplished? “I can’t begin to explain the kind of impact my father and mother had on all of us. My dad set the example on how to do things for our family. His love for his players, his integrity and his desire to compete were some of the things that inspired all of us to decide to follow his footsteps into a coaching career. I can’t help but think about him in Heaven looking down on all of us and being extremely happy. Happy about us not only as coaches, but hopefully as great fathers, husbands and men of God.”

Today’s interviewee is Jeff Hood, the play-by-play announcer for Bostwick radio station WMOQ 92.3 FM, which broadcasts a game each week from Clarke, Morgan, Oconee or Walton County. Hood also is a high school football official. He’ll be announcing tonight’s game between Harlem and Morgan County in Madison. It will decide the Region 4-3A championship. Harlem would claim its first region title since 1974 with a victory, but Morgan County is a three-point favorite, according to the computer Maxwell Ratings.

1. Why did the station pick the Harlem-Morgan County game, and what are you looking forward to seeing? “We’ve had this Region 4-3A showdown circled on our calendar for several weeks with the belief these two teams match up well. Harlem has the stingiest defense in Class 3A, yielding just 10.4 points per game. Morgan County’s high-flying offense [39.4 points per game] is, arguably, the best in school history. Second-year Morgan County coach Clint Jenkins has a strong playoff pedigree. He led Dacula to two region titles and semifinal appearances in three seasons at the helm of the Falcons before taking the Morgan County job in 2021.”

2. Unlike most Georgia play-by-play broadcasters, you're not the voice of any one team. What is your radio station's strategy in covering different schools instead of just one? “Because we don’t cover a single team, we choose the game we feel will be the most captivating to our listeners each week. For instance, our last two games were one-point thrillers. Clarke Central edged Eastside in overtime, and the following Friday night Stephens County took the lead for the first time with 35 seconds remaining to defeat Oconee County. We expect this trend to continue tonight at historic Bill Corry Stadium in Madison.”

3. What are some of the memorable games and/or players you've seen this year? “Monroe Area, despite its 4-5 record, is loaded with playmakers on both sides of the ball and, with a few breaks, could easily be 7-2 or 8-1. The Purple Hurricanes could prove to be a dangerous playoff team. Two players that have caught my eye are Oconee County linebacker Whit Weeks and North Oconee defensive back Khalil Barnes. [The best game?] The Eastside versus Clarke Central matchup on Oct. 21st at Billy Henderson Stadium was an absolute war. Clarke Central scored the tying touchdown in regulation and the winning touchdown in overtime, both on fourth-down plays.”

4. You're not only a broadcaster, but also an official, meaning you spend quite a bit of your time devoted to high school football. What do you enjoy about high school football? “I had spent the past six years officiating varsity football on Friday nights. Because I have broadcasting experience, WMOQ asked me to come out of retirement in August and work their Friday night game each week alongside Jon Wilson. I have remained active this fall as an official working junior varsity and middle school football. I did officiate one varsity contest this fall when most games around the state were moved to Thursday night the final week of September due to the threat of Hurricane Ian. There’s nothing quite like high school football. It has the power to bond the players, coaches, officials, student body and community.”

Today’s interviewee is Telfair County coach Matt Burleson, whose team defeated Dooly County 32-17 last week to clinch second place in Region 4-A Division II. The victory guaranteed the Trojans their first home playoff game since 1993. Burleson has been Telfair County’s coach the past 11 seasons, the fourth-longest tenure at one school in Class A Division II. His record is 54-56 at a program that was 1-19 the two seasons before he arrived.

1. What's the significance of winning that game last week? “For obvious reasons, it was important to us because it was a big region matchup versus a very good Dooly County team, but it was also senior night for our six seniors. They are a small group but a great group. Far beyond the field, they are a fun group to be around. They have put in the work and endured tough times, but they never quit. I’m so glad we were able to get this game for them. To clinch a home playoff game was huge, not only for our program but our entire community. You can feel the excitement in the school staff and the community. We have come a long way in the past 11 seasons, and we have taken the next step in the development of our program. We are still working toward our goals, but we are pleased with the progress we have made. It has not been an easy task, but the kids that have come through have made it all worthwhile.”

2. Our Improvement Tracker has Telfair County as the seventh-most improved team in Class A Division II. What's the difference between this year and last year? “Over the last couple of years, we have had to play a lot of young players, and they took their lumps but that has proven valuable experience coming into this season. They had outstanding winter, spring and summer sessions that led us to where we are now.”

3. What has the advent of Division II meant to Telfair and other schools? “I believe Dividing Class A I has allowed some of the smaller schools a better chance to compete versus schools closer in size to them.”

4. What has kept you in Telfair County so long? And for those who don’t know, where exactly are you? “Most people in Georgia have no clue where Telfair County is located. I just keep naming ‘big’ cities near us until they recognize one, then I tell them how far we are from there. The community has welcomed my family and me since Day 1 when we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. We’ve made a lot of friends and forged life-long bonds. It’s so rewarding to see kids in a small community go off and conquer the real world. It warms my heart that they reach out when they’re home to come by and say hi, send invites to weddings, birth announcements, etc. Our community is so supportive of all of our students in Telfair County Schools, and we are humbled to help lead a small part of the system.” [Telfair County High School is about 35 miles south of Dublin, 50 miles east of Cordele and 100 miles west of Savannah.]

Today’s interviewee is Berrien coach Tim Alligood, whose team defeated Dodge County 35-29 last week to clinch the Rebels’ first winning season since 1995. Alligood is in his fifth season. He’s a former Lowndes player and an assistant coach at Lowndes, Fitzgerald, Coffee, Thomasville and Tift County. He was on Berrien’s staff from 2013 to 2015 under coach Ed Pilcher.

1. Our Improvement Tracker has Berrien as the fifth-most improved team in Class 2A. What has made your team better this season? “There have been several factors involved in us having the season we've had. Our seniors are one factor. Most of them had to start as sophomores, and they took it on the chin in 2020. We were very competitive last year, and this year they have improved some more. Another factor has been our coaching staff. William Davis, Ken Eldridge, Doug Nix, Brian Carter, Fred Edwards, Wayne Jones, Austin Rowan and Matt Futch have done a phenomenal job, and I'm lucky to have them as a staff. I have a very supportive principal in Angie Lovein, and our booster club has been awesome this year, as well, giving us the support we need.”

2. What’s been the difference in Berrien over the long haul, since you took the job? “You hear coaches talk about ‘the process,’ and it becomes a cliché sometimes. I would have to use that term for our situation, though. It's my fifth year as the head coach here, and before me I think they had like nine or 10 head coaches in the last 20 years. This situation needed some stability, and we have provided that. For years the facilities have been outdated, and I was fortunate to be here my first year when they finished the new fieldhouse and stadium. They built us a new practice field at the high school with lights that is directly behind our fieldhouse, and we'll have a new middle school practice field and fieldhouse by the end of this year. Facilities aren't the sole factor in having success, but they were holding some things back here that were needed on a day-to-day basis to just give ourselves a chance.”

3. Josiah Davis has had a remarkable season with 1,465 all-purpose yards, 18 touchdowns scored four ways (plus one touchdown thrown) and 49 solo tackles. What would you want people to know about him? “Josiah is an awesome kid personally. He always has a smile on his face and is very well-spoken. He comes from a great family here in Berrien County, and they have done an awesome job raising him. Josiah has athlete dripping out of his shoes. He's about 6-3 and can run like a deer. He has natural instincts as a skill player that you can't coach; he just does them. I think because he is a multi-sport athlete – he is a standout basketball player as well – it helps him see things on the field. He's one kickoff return for a TD away from tying the national record of eight. I am still amazed at that. There have been years where I haven't seen a kickoff returned for a TD period, much less seven in one season.”

4. You played or coached under a long list of successful coaches. What were the most important things you learned from some of them? “I've learned and stole a ton from the guys I've worked for. I'll try to sum up each in a few words. Milt Miller: Relationships with folks matter. It took him four years to win his first region game at Lowndes, but because of how people respected him they gave him time. Randy McPherson: Lethal simplicity. He brought simple, physical football to the highest level. Richie Marsh: Live out what you preach. The best example I've ever seen of a Christian leader who lived it. Jay Walls: Organization and special teams matter. Jason Strickland: Keep coaches around you that you can trust. Ed Pilcher: Don't be too big to do the little things. He still cut grass, painted fields and did laundry as head coach at Berrien. Robby Pruitt: Be willing to adjust. He made his mark in the wing-T but went to a multiple shotgun offense at Coffee because that's what fit his players.”

Today’s interviewee is St. Francis coach Frank Barden, whose Class A Division I team won its first region title in program history last week with a 35-18 victory over Mount Pisgah Christian. St. Francis, a private school in Alpharetta, started varsity football in 2010, and Barden became its coach in 2018 before it had won a playoff game. Barden is a 29-year Georgia head coach with 213 career victories and a 1999 state title at Cartersville.

1. What gave your team the advantage in Friday’s game? “It has been a fun journey watching this team grow and learn each week. The schedule this year has been one of our toughest but has helped prepare us for our region games. I think that has forced us to keep working to put a good product on the field.”

2. What does the win and the region title mean to your team/program? “It was a great win for our program and school. Being the first region title for football means a great deal to our players but also for our overall athletic program. We have a great commitment from top down, and it is fun to be a part of what is being built.”

3. What are some things that people might want to know about your team if they haven’t seen you play? “We are a young team with six seniors that provide great leadership, and the Knight football players that played before them who laid a foundation of hard work and vision to be successful. The improvement by the players each week has really been key to where we are at this point.”

4. What do you feel that you and your staff have done that’s made the biggest difference in getting the team here? “This has been and is continuing to be a really fun thing to be a part of building from the ground up. It has taken many people committed to a common vision. Our challenge is to make the program better each day by having quality coaches and players fill a specific role of providing a four-year process to help these players prepare for their future both on and off the field.”

Today’s interviewee is Decatur coach William Felton, whose team won its first region title since 2004 last week with a 40-38 victory in a winner-take-all game against Chamblee in Region 4-5A. Felton took over the program in 2020 and helped the Bulldogs win their first playoff game since 2003, when Decatur was a Class 2A school.

1. What was the difference in Friday’s game? What gave you the advantage? “The difference in the game was time management and fighting to the last second, literally. There was no real advantage. Both teams had great game plans, and it just came down to the last possession of the ball game. The last touchdown was one of our trick plays. Chamblee did their trick plays earlier in the game, and they were successful. We just saved ours for that critical moment when it wasn't expected. Junior running back Tristan Strickland received the toss from senior quarterback Harrison Hannah and threw it 60 yards to junior Malachi Miller for the touchdown.” [The winning touchdown came in the final minute of the game. Decatur had trailed 30-14 early in the second half. Hannah passed for 277 yards and rushed for 126.]

2. What does the win and the region title mean to your team/program? “This title means a lot for the school and the community. For me it's special because I have been coaching here since 2008 and never won region. It was great to see a team that I lead experience this.”

3. What are some things that people might want to know about your team if they haven’t seen you play? “If you haven't seen us play, just know that we are going to give you our best. We have some great kids and great athletes who can make plays for us. We are led by seniors, quarterback Harrison Hannah, wide receivers Kenric Lanier and Kedric Lackey and superstar junior Malachi Miller, a wide receiver, safety and returner. Our O-line fights hard and make it all possible for the offense to thrive like they do.”

4. What do you feel that you and your staff have done that’s made the biggest difference in getting the program to this point? Do you have a challenge that’s different than most programs? “The challenge for our program is definitely funding, which leads to lack of resources. Our approach to this season was different than it was in previous years. I decided to front load the schedule with tough, playoff-caliber opponents to help elevate our play and identify areas we are deficient in early so we could correct them before the playoffs. Working so far, I guess, right?” [Decatur was 1-4 in its pre-region schedule but is 4-0 in region play with one game left against a 2-7 team.]

Today's interviewee is Folkston native and Charlton County football historian Glenn Hughes, who will cover the Swamp War rivalry game between Charlton County and Clinch County tonight for the 32nd time for the Charlton County Herald. The game, played between south Georgia schools on opposite sides of the Okefenokee Swamp, likely will decide the Region 2-A Division II championship. Hughes hasn't missed seeing Charlton County play since 1989, a streak of 417 games. Hughes also works as a field maintenance supervisor in the Charlton County Recreation Department.

1. How do you assess this year's Charlton County-Clinch County game? “I expect the game to be close and physical as a lot of the games have been over the years. Turnovers could decide the winner if one team makes a mistake. With the region title on the line, I expect both teams to pull out all the stops.”

2. What makes this game such a good rivalry? “This game has been going on since the 1950s, and for many of those years the winner has gone on to win the region title and often the state title. By the time I arrived into the rivalry, it was full swing already. From the coaches’ standpoint on both sides, it is a rivalry of respect for the other program while fans get into the other aspects of the game.”

3. What's the most memorable Clinch-Charlton game you've seen? “Three games stand out from a Charlton perspective. In 1996, Charlton's Donahue Brunson blocked a game-winning field goal in the final seconds to claim an 8-6 win. In 2003, Charlton scored two touchdowns in the final minute to come from behind to win 16-13. Trailing 13-3, Charlton scored, recovered an onside kick. and Jeremy Privett hit Justin Mincey for a short game-winning TD with about five seconds remaining. In 2021, just a back-and-forth game that went into overtime with Charlton winning 35-34 when Wyatt Crews drilled the game winning PAT. Jaylen Lilley scored all five Indian touchdowns.”

4. Why do you feel that you've followed the team so closely all these years? “High school football is the purest form of the game, especially in small towns around Georgia. You watch these kids grow up from rec ball and see them work hard to achieve their goals and play for the community that supports them. I was fortunate enough to play high school football for the late Luther Welsh at Dougherty, then be around Rich McWhorter for many years. Those are two of the greatest coaches in Georgia high school football history. As long as I'm able, I'll continue to follow the Indians wherever they go.”

Today’s interviewee is Thomas County Central coach Justin Rogers, whose team is 8-0 after a 42-21 victory over No. 10 Houston County last week. The Yellow Jackets are playing Friday at No. 7 Lee County. Rogers was the coach at Colquitt County (2019-21) and Jones County (2014-18) before taking the Thomas Central job this season. Despite moving up two classifications into Class 6A, Rogers’ Yellow Jackets are off to their best start since 2007.

1. What did your team to well that made the difference in beating Houston County? Was it containing Houston County’s passing game and quarterback A.J. Hill? “That was the deal, being able to play the long game. Our defense did a good job not giving up explosive-play touchdowns. We only gave up one, and we kept making them snap the ball and found ways to get stops. They have a one-play mindset, and they’re really good at it, and I thought our defense was awesome. Then we finished in the fourth quarter [outscoring Houston County 21-0 after going into the final period 21-21]. We put together a good drive, and the defense comes out and forces a turnover, and we go in again on a short field. At some point we’re going into four-minute mode, trying to burn clock, and the offense did a great job of possessing the ball and we were able to punch in a touchdown run.”

2. Thomas County Central was 5-6 last season playing in Class 4A and hadn’t had a winning season since 2016. Did you expect to be in this position – 8-0 and playing for a region title in this tough region – in your first season? “I know when we took the job and got to working the boys at the school, we felt we had a chance to be a good football team. They had talent and were working their tails off, and we had good support from the school. Did you see yourself being 8-0 and the way we got here? I don’t know, but we knew we had a shot to be good because of the way the kids were working. There were some really good players on this football team who’d played a lot of snaps.”

3. What have you and your staff have done that’s made the biggest difference in the turnaround? “The biggest thing was establishing consistency in everything that we do. We have a system on how we get dressed, a system on how we practice, a system on how we meet and a system on how we lift weights. We hold everybody accountable and to the same standard whether they’re a first-string player or a fifth-string player. All of our coaches come from winning programs from the college level or high school level. We’re doing what we knew produced results and teaching that to the kids.”

4. Why is this job better for you than Colquitt County? “I think everything in life is about fits. There are a lot of women in the world, but you only marry the one that you have a good fit with. I loved my time at Colquitt County and have life-long friends there that I’ll never lose, and I’m a much better coach for the time spent at Colquitt, but I walked into a situation that was difficult. Call it like it was. It was a tough time. I’m proud of what we did there, and I’m proud of my time spent there. When the Thomas County Central job became available and they reached out to me, I did feel like it was a better fit for me and my personality and who I am. It’s a rebuilding mode, and it’s going to be mine. I’m not inheriting it. I grew up on a farm in south Alabama. We're living with a big pond in Boston, Ga., and enjoy going fishing to relax and get away. This is me. In a football game, somebody wins, and somebody loses, but in life, there are a lot of win-wins. I believe this is a win-win. Sean Calhoun [Colquitt County’s new coach] is a great coach, and I’m happy for their success this season. And I’m having fun coaching ball here. I feel it was a situation where both programs won and nobody lost. I’m pulling for them. I hope they win it all in 7A.”

Today’s interviewee is Lanier Christian coach Bruce Miller, a Flowery Branch school of about 400 students K-12 that plays in the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools (GAPPS). Miller is best known for his time as Gainesville’s coach from 2002 to 2017, when the Red Elephants won eight region titles and one state championship. Miller, 70, retired after the 2017 season with 225 victories but didn’t stay off the sidelines long. This season, he's led Lanier Christian to a 6-2 record while averaging 51 points per game, more than any of his Gainesville teams, even those with Deshaun Watson at quarterback.

1. After retiring, did you expect to coach again, and what’s led to where you are now? “Soon after retirement I realized I didn’t want to sit at home and started looking for something football-related to do since football is my passion. My first stint was coaching offense at Lakeview Academy, then Flowery Branch High School and finally West Hall. Since this didn’t really scratch my itch like I had hoped, I heard about the need for a coach at Lanier Christian Academy and checked on it. I am now in my second year as head coach at LCA and loving it.”

2. How would you contrast and compare what you're doing now to coaching bigger, more high-profile schools? “Coaching football is coaching football, no matter the stage. I really enjoy the players and learning daily about the game and how to scheme and implement success. Once the whistle blows, it’s all about what goes on between the white lines. I love to study the game and try new things.”

3. It's been 10 years since you won a state title at Gainesville. Your most famous player, Watson, has obviously accomplished a great deal since then. But looking at it from the perspective of 2022, what's his place in Georgia high school football history? “Coaching Deshaun Watson and many successful players at Gainesville High was indeed a privilege. I think winning the state championship in 2012 really brought the spread offense to Georgia high schools and seeing how it can open up the field and the game. I also think Deshaun Watson will go down as one of the most prolific players in Georgia high school football. His style of play and athletic ability combined for more than 17,000 yards of total offense.”

4. What advice would you give young coaches about succeeding, something that many might not already know? “First, be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. I know we’ve all had great mentors throughout our lives, but pick and choose the best from each and find ‘your’ style and really study the game. Be a lifetime learner of the game.”

Today’s interviewee is Thomasville coach Jonathan DeLay, whose team defeated then-No. 4 and previously unbeaten Dougherty 35-20 last week to clinch the Region 1-3A championship. DeLay, a Ringgold native, had been on Thomasville’s staff since 2017 and was the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator on last season’s Class 2A runner-up team. Thomasville got off to a 1-3 start, losing to top-10 teams Brooks County, Thomas County Central and Bainbridge, but has won five straight games, two against ranked in-region opponents.

1. What did your team do well that made the difference in beating Dougherty? “Going into the Dougherty game, we believed we had to make the quarterback [all-state junior Kameron Davis] throw and keep him in the pocket to be successful on defense. On the offensive side of the ball, we knew we had to run the football and win one-on-one balls downfield. Winning the special teams was our fourth goal; however, we fell short there, but we achieved the other three goals. We had four interceptions on defense. Jay Randall had two, and D.J. Thurman and Deltrioz Grimsley each had one. We rushed for 164 yards and one touchdown, and Cam Hill threw four TD passes, two to Jay Randall and one each to Cole Shaw and D.J. Thurman.”

2. What were your expectations for this season? On one hand, you had lots of graduation losses, you moved up in class, and there’s a coaching transition. On the other hand, you’re Thomasville. How did you see it? “In Thomasville, the expectation is always to win a championship. For us this year it has been about playing better each and every week. The Lord has blessed us with an amazing season so far. We have come from some low places, but it says a tremendous amount about the character of the kids in this program. We have faced a great deal of adversity, and they fought through it to get to where we currently are. Our goal is to continue to go 1-0 each week by playing to ‘Our Standard.’”

3. What’s the biggest difference between how your team is playing now versus the first month of the season? “We are playing with a tremendous amount of confidence right now. The kids are gelling with each other and the coaches so well. We are fully bought in to playing to ‘Our Standard’ in every practice and every game.”

4. Are there some things about being a head coach that surprised you, that you had to learn for yourself on the job? “Your phone never stops ringing. My favorite time of the day is going to practice and setting it on the speakers to play the music. I'm so thankful for this opportunity that the Lord has blessed me with. Seeing the transformation of this team has been so amazing. There is something divinely special taking place in Thomasville, and I am so thankful that I get a front-row seat to see what the Lord does on a daily basis.”

Today’s interviewee is Camden County coach Jeff Herron, whose team defeated previously unbeaten Valdosta 17-14 on Friday. Herron was Camden’s coach from 2000 to 2012, winning 12 region titles and three state championships. He returned to Camden in 2021 after coaching stops at Prince Avenue Christian, Grayson, T.L. Hanna in South Carolina and Tennessee Tech. Camden was 4-7 last season and started this one 0-2 but is now 6-3 overall, 2-1 in Region 1-7A, with a chance to finish second and get a home playoff game with a victory over Lowndes on Nov. 4.

1. What did your team do well that made the difference in beating Valdosta? “We didn't turn the ball over and didn't have the penalties we had the week before [against Colquitt County]. Our opening drive was huge. We hadn't seen anyone block their defensive line well all year, but we had an 85-yard drive that took almost seven minutes off the clock. I'm still not sure we blocked them well, but we were able to get in their way a little bit. Our offensive staff had a great plan, and our kids executed well.”

2. What are you and your team feeling emotionally after that win? Was it something your team’s soul needed? “Yes, I definitely think our team's soul, as you say, needed it. We had lost all of our region games last year after holding leads late in the game, and to win against a great Valdosta team like we did made it even more special. We blocked a field goal that would have tied it with almost seven minutes left, and our offense went out and didn't give them another chance with the ball.”

3. Has getting Camden County football back to where you want it been harder than you anticipated? “Yes, I was foolish enough to think, I guess, that I could just show up and we would get better. I guess the good Lord felt like my humility needed some adjustment. As I mentioned earlier, last year was really a struggle. It just seemed that every time we got to the fourth quarter, everyone in the stadium was just waiting to see what would go wrong, and then it would. But, as a head coach you just have to keep plugging away, you keep working hard every day and every week. The kids expect and deserve your best. I remind myself of a Bobby Bowden quote about rebuilding a program, ‘You lose big, then you lose small, then you win small, and then you can win big.’ We all want it to happen overnight, but that's not realistic.”

4. Where do you feel the program is now? What’s been achieved, and what’s needed to get to the next step, of Camden being a top-10 team again? “That's a hard question to answer. I felt really good about our team and the offseason we had, but then we stumbled out of the gate losing our first two. But our players and coaches responded great after that second loss. You could just feel a change. Six weeks later, though, we went to Colquitt and played and coached like we had never seen a high school game. But after seeing how Colquitt has played everyone else, I told our team we aren't as bad as we thought we were after the Colquitt loss and we aren't as good as we think we are after the Valdosta win. We are still a young team, and we must learn each week, good and bad, and keep working to improve. Our middle schools and ninth-grade and JV teams had great seasons, and I see that as a very good sign, but right now we will just focus on trying to go out and not take a step back against a very good Lowndes team that beat us last year.”

Today’s interviewee is I.J. Rosenberg, chairman of the new Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame. The Hall will induct its first class of 45 players Saturday at the College Football Hall of Fame in downtown Atlanta. Rosenberg is executive director of Score Atlanta, a sports marketing company that administers the Hall of Fame. Sports Atlanta announced the creation of the Hall in February. A 35-member board comprising high school coaches and administrators and media finalized the first class through board voting in July.

1. What are your thoughts now that you're on the eve of the induction, as you look back on the original vision not many months ago and now the first class about to go in? “It has been a whirlwind because this is also the busiest time of the year for my company, so there have been some long days and nights for all of us. But what is exciting is the reaction of the inductees and the fact that many of them will be there and are bringing a lot of family members and friends. Right now, we are sitting at more than 800 coming to the ceremony at the College Football Hall of Fame. From Bill Curry to Herschel Walker, and Stan Rome to Andre Hastings, and Clarence Scott to Charlie Dudish, it’s going to be a gathering of the very best that have played in Georgia. We are also going to have some real surprises, so if you are not going to be there, make sure to watch the stream.” [Fans can watch it on Atlanta First News, formerly CBS46, or the GPB app or the National Federation High School (NFHS) Network.]

2. What’s in store for those who attend? “It’s an opportunity to get up and close with greatness. For instance, Eric Berry will be there with his mother. Eric is one of the greatest defensive backs to ever play in Georgia. and it’s incredible to think about what he went through with Hodgkin's lymphoma during his NFL career and how he was able to overcome it and get back on the field better than ever. I know that is somebody I want to meet. Also, I am going to give a tease to one of the surprises. Watch ESPN “College GameDay” on Saturday from the University of Oregon and you will get to see on a national level the strength of Georgia high school football. I also think that those at the ceremony will get to rub shoulders with some of the pioneers of the Black high school football players in Georgia when the schools were mostly segregated in the state. It was very important to our board that we did a good job here and didn’t miss Black players who were great but were not afforded the exposure that white players had back then.” [Rosenberg’s “GameDay” surprise might involve one of the inductees, David Pollack. Of the 45 inductees, six played in the Georgia Interscholastic Association, which ran sports for African American schools during segregation. They are Rayfield Wright, Mel Blount, Jim Parker, Otis Sistrunk, Clarence Scott and Emerson Boozer.]

3. What's been the reaction of some of the inductees when you've contacted them about making the HOF? “I think the best one came from Richard Dent. Now Dent is one of the greatest defensive ends to play in the NFL and was a Super Bowl MVP for the 1985 Bears for perhaps the greatest defense in NFL history. He was a very, very tough guy on the field and off of it, and I had different people on our staff calling each of the inductees. On Dent, I put our general manager Graham David on him. Graham is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, but it took some time and patience to get Richard to understand what was going to take place here Saturday. And the next thing we know, Richard is flying in from Chicago and has 14 people coming with him.” [Dent played at Murphy in the 1970s and was the first former Georgia high school football player to be named Super Bowl MVP. He was among the first to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.]

4. What has been the vision for the Hall of Fame, and where do you see it going forward? “I think the vision is similar to what Loren Maxwell and Todd Holcomb and Becky Taylor and others were thinking when they started the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, and that is to tell the story of high school football in Georgia. The GHSFHA website has been able to do it through numbers and statistics, and we are going to do it through these players every year. At the ceremony, the inductees will answer questions from our hosts, Bill Hartman and Matt Stewart, but I asked Charlie Ward to speak for the class. I think Charlie is a perfect example of just how great high school sports is in football. Here is a guy who won a Heisman Trophy and led Florida State to its first-ever national championship. Yet he never played a down in the NFL. But he chose the NBA and played 12 seasons there. Moving forward, we will continue to build a strong class every year, and we’re in the process of developing a webpage and a strong brand and maybe, and I am being very careful here, a place to house the Hall someday.”

Today’s interviewee is Irwin County quarterback Cody Soliday. On Friday, his team will be playing Brooks County for the fifth time in three seasons, and Soliday will have been a starter in all of them, including a state finals victory in 2020 and state finals defeat in 2021. Soliday’s father, Casey Soliday, is Irwin’s head coach. His uncle (and Casey’s brother) is Tiftarea Academy coach Erik Soliday, a 34-year head coach in Georgia.

1. What is the Brooks County game like? What’s special about it? “It's tense. Every time we play there is something on the line, like a region championship or a state championship. Also, the atmosphere is always incredible. The game is special because two of the best teams in South Georgia are going head to head, and the winner gets all the hype. The Brooks game is a tough challenge because there is speed and athletes all across the field. Also, both teams are playing for a No. 1 seed in the playoffs, putting home-field advantage on the line.”

2. You've been part of three straight Irwin County teams that have won state titles or finished runner-up. How does the 2022 team stack up to the others, and how is it alike or different? “Last year's team and this year's team are really different from the first state championship team. That first state championship team was loaded with athletes. They could have a bad game and still win because of the talent on the field. The last two teams are more similar in their makeup. This year and last year, it takes all of us to get it done. It’s more team-oriented. However, this year's team is even more team-oriented. We hold each other accountable and push to get better each day. When times get tough, we reflect on the state championship, 56-28 [loss to Brooks], and this refocuses us and gets us working hard again. I feel like this year's team wants to be back on that stage holding the trophy up toward the great Indian fans more than ever. We prepare each week to put ourselves in an opportunity to do it again.”

3. What's it like being the son of the head coach? “It comes with some advantages. I know the game well. Also we talk about the play book and game plan constantly. I know every play, where everybody is on all formations and all the rules to each play, which helps in the huddle. However, he gets on me more than anyone else because he expects more out of me and wants me to play perfect. He wants me to be the leader.”

4. What are your goals and plans after high school, and do you want to coach like your father and uncle? “As of now I'm committed to Mercer to play baseball. If anything for football was to come up, I would definitely consider it. School-wise I've thought about doing something in the medical field, but us Solidays tend to end up on a football field somehow, so I guess I'll see how it pans out.”

Today’s interviewee is Northside (Columbus) coach Andrew Oropeza, whose team is 7-1 overall and leading Region 3-5A with a 2-0 record. Victories against Drew (0-7, 0-1) and McIntosh (4-4, 1-1) over the next two weeks would bring Northside’s first region championship. The school opened in 2004. Oropeza became coach in 2020. A Columbus native and Hardaway graduate, Oropeza had been an offensive coordinator at Harris County, Russell County in Alabama and Shaw.

1. For those who haven't seen you play, what would you say about your team and in particular about Malachi Hosley, your star running back? “I would say our team is one that plays hard for 48 minutes. We are a team that plays together and for each other. We have been able to do some good things in all three phases, and we hope to continue that going forward. Yes, Hosley is having a good season. He is a good football player and a good young man. It has been a team effort offensively. Our offense line has been tremendous. Quarterback play has been good, as well as our receivers catching the football and blocking on the edge. Defensively, we have done a good job running to the football, being physical and creating turnovers.” [Northside is seventh in Class 5A points per game at 33.8 and 12th in points allowed per game at 16.4. Hosley’s 1,488 rushing yards are second in 5A.]

2. I know you've got work to do to accomplish this, but what would it mean for Northside to win its first region title? “We are focused on playing Drew this Thursday in a region matchup. We look forward to competing this Thursday against Drew and taking it from there. A region title was not something we necessarily talked about going into the season. We try to take it one day or game at time and go from there. If we are fortunate enough to be in that position, it would mean a great deal to our school, players, parents and school community.”

3. What have you and your staff done in your three seasons at Northside that has been most important in improving the program? “We are fortunate that we have a great, cohesive coaching staff. The important thing for us the last three seasons was building a team that worked extremely hard in the weight room, classroom and on the field. We have also created an atmosphere where players have developed mental and physical toughness. This has translated onto the field. It was also important for us to increase participation. We roughly have over 105 players now. We were around 80-85 players the first two years. This has helped us create competition.”

4. What attracted you to the Northside job? “Northside has a great administration, faculty and student body. Northside has always had a school that cared about football and athletics in general. These were aspects that made Northside an appealing place to work.”

Today’s interviewee is Lincoln County coach Lee Chomskis, whose team has defeated top-10 opponents Washington-Wilkes and Aquinas in consecutive weeks and will play Greene County on Friday for first place in Region 8-A Division II. A region championship would be the first since 2012 for Lincoln County, a program with 33 region titles and 11 state titles since 1970. Chomskis is in his third season in Lincolnton. He coached at Vidalia from 2007 to 2019 and has 124 career victories.

1. You beat Aquinas 28-24 last week with a late touchdown. How would you describe the game, and what gave your team the edge in the end? “The game was certainly one for the fans. Two contrasting styles of offense for sure. Aquinas does an incredible job of spreading the field and finding the open man. Their receivers are all talented and never seem to drop a pass. We on the other hand are a running football team and were able to run it very effectively most of the night. Our defense was able to hold them to a field goal in the fourth quarter, and that proved to be the difference in the end. Our kids came from behind twice on Friday, and for that I am very proud.”

2. What did Friday's victory over Aquinas mean for your team? “The victory on Friday gives us a 2-0 record in the region with three region games to go. It is the first time since 2011 that Lincoln County has defeated Washington-Wilkes and Aquinas in the same season. We feel like that is a big step in the right direction for our program. We must continue to improve on a daily basis if we are to accomplish the goals that we set at the beginning of the season.”

3. What's the state of Lincoln County football in year three for you and your staff? “The state of our program is good. We had 25 players in the program in year one. Our numbers have nearly doubled this season. Our junior varsity team has been able to have a full schedule for the first time in seven years. This is critical for sustaining growth for the coming seasons. It also allows you the opportunity to develop your younger players. I truly believe the most critical part of our growth and development has been with our staff and our weight room. Everyone on our staff is a head coach of another sport in our school. This enables us to develop a consistent standard of work ethic and discipline. Everyone is on the same page, and this affects each team and our hallways. Having defensive coordinator Doug Huff and offensive coordinator Sonny Spurlock leading our young men on a day-to-day basis has quickened the process. I am very blessed to have these two men in leadership roles at Lincoln County High School.”

4. How do you feel about the creation of Class A Division II? [Lincoln County is a school of about 350 students.] “The creation of Class A Division II is a victory for all of the smaller schools in the state. So many times it seems that the larger schools dictate the direction that we take as an association. This gives the little guy an opportunity to compete for championships at the region and state levels. It certainly helped to level the playing field for those schools with very little enrollment. We are battling issues that larger schools do not have to consider. I truly hope that in the coming years that the powers that be will continue to fight for the small rural schools of Georgia.”