Hughes’ record-setting 2022 season made Hines a popular choice as new coach
When former Hughes coach Daniel Williams took the Northside-Warner Robins job in January, he left his former team primed for another title run. He had just taken Hughes to the Class 5A championship game.
Before he left, Williams helped the Panthers one last time. He assisted the Hughes administration in the search for a successor and recommended Andrico Hines, his offense coordinator from two years earlier. Hines had coached at Berkmar for two seasons.
“He (Hines) came and, in one season, did what nobody in the state could do, because we broke the scoring record with his offense,” Williams said of Hines. “When I say one of the best guys for the job, I mean professional, understands the game and understands how to run the program.”
Hines - a former star quarterback for Riverdale, Middle Tennessee and arena leagues - was named Hughes’ head coach on Jan. 31. He first came to Hughes in 2022. Hughes went 15-0 that year, winning its region and the Class 6A championship, Hughes’ first state title. Hughes would score 792 points, an astounding 52.8 points per game, which broke the state record, passing Rome’s 2017 team that scored 757.
Hines left Hughes after that historic season and took over a stBerkmar program that hadn’t had a winning record since 2007. In his two years at Berkmar, Hines had a record of just 5-14-1 but did win two region games, breaking a 20-game losing streak in region play.
Hines says the decision to move to Berkmar came out of nowhere. Berkmar plays in Georgia’s highest classification but had fewer than 40 players on the team.
“Berkmar was more of a basketball school,” Hines said. “So, the culture was built for basketball. When basketball season was there, everybody was involved. It was different.”
Hines takes over a Hughes squad that finished 13-2 last season, losing to Milton in the title game 56-28. That team had a senior class with multiple players signing scholarships to play at the next level. Those include offensive linemen Dontrell Glover to Georgia and T.J. Dice to Florida. Also gone are quarterback Christian Langford to Florida International and wide receiver Maurice Gleaton to Georgia on a track scholarship.
This year’s team will rely on players with less varsity experience, but they’re familiar with Hines. These seniors were freshmen when Hines was the offensive coordinator.
When looking at Hughes’ roster this year, starting with Florida State commit Xavier Tiller would be easy. Still, Hines believes the engine of his offense starts with running backs Carsyn Baker and Qwantavius Wiggins. A duo that Hines has coined “Sonic and Knuckles,” referencing the classic Sega video game characters.
“I know the Detroit Lions got their crew, but God almighty, these two are different,” Hines said. “If you met them, they’re kind of like Marvel heroes. When you see them in person, that’s not who they are on the field.”
He says Baker, a Florida commit, is akin to Clark Kent and Superman. He keeps to himself, but when it’s time for him to perform, “It’s like he’s got a cape on, and he’ll fly by you.”
An FIU commit, Wiggins jumps into his Knuckles costume on game day. “He’ll run you over. He’ll run by you, and he’s patient,” Hines said.
Whether they are Marvel and DC heroes or Sega characters, having two guys who combined for over 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground last year in the backfield together is scary enough.
He looks forward to unleashing Sonic and Knuckles against their opponents. He says they are constantly pushing themselves, and he finds them competing snap after snap to get the best out of each other.
Three-star Darnell Kelly, a Colorado State commit, comes to Hughes from Peachtree Ridge, where he got some all-state recognition. He’ll be throwing balls to the highly touted four-star, Xavier Tiller.
Hines remembers Kelly and Tiller playing in garbage time as freshmen but never really knew what they would turn into because it’s hard to project freshmen. In his return, Tiller has stood out as a leader for the Panthers.
“Leading on the field,” Hines said of Tiller. “Being the first one on the field. Taking the weight room seriously and really wanting to block.”
Hines said blocking was one of the first things he pointed out to Tiller to develop this offseason. During a padded camp, Hines noticed his work in the trenches was paying off.
The first half of summer training has been completed, and now, with another month to go before August, the Panthers are putting the finishing touches on their preparation. This senior group will have one more chance to put their own stamp on the brief Hughes legacy.
“How do you want to be remembered?” Hines said to his seniors. “Every class has left their own mark. How do you guys want to leave your mark?”
If Hines and his heroes can finish the job, that mark will take the shape of a gold and green paw — with a state championship trophy at its heart.
Schedule:
8/15 at Westlake
8/22 Mays (Lakewood Stadium)
9/5 Douglas County
9/12 Banneker
9/19 at Dutchtown
9/26 Newnan
10/3 at McIntosh
10/17 Northgate
10/24 at Morrow
10/31 at Lovejoy