NOTE: There are only 34 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.
Fans of North Gwinnett will definitely need a roster to recognize the 2015 Bulldogs. They only have eight players on the roster with starting experience, prompting coach Bob Sphire to utter the dreaded R-word -- rebuilding.
But, Sphire and the Bulldogs have been in this spot before and think they can extend their playoff streak to a 12th straight season. We caught up with the 10th-year coach to ask what challenges they face heading into fall practices.
QUESTION: With just eight total players on the roster returning that have started a game, how are you dealing with the inexperience across the board as you get ready for the 2015 campaign?
ANSWER: In my 10 years here this is the most inexperienced team from a starting standpoint we’ve had. We may be in a rebuilding mode of a sort. We have guys that got some playing time but just a few got a lot of time against the No. 1 units of the top teams in our region. We only have one guy returning on the offensive line, which is probably my biggest concern because it takes time to develop a cohesive and effective unit. Our QB situation is also a concern but we have three guys -- Sr. Davis Kelly, Jr. Trevor Deyton, and So. Cabe Fortin -- that are all about equal and getting equal reps right now. If we’ve ever been in a rebuilding mode this may be the year. But we do have talent. The question is can we get it out of the guys and get everyone in the right spots before the region schedule starts.
QUESTION: You have had two tremendous kickers the last two seasons in Michael D’Angola (2013) and Brad Harvey (2014). How important will it be to find a suitable replacement?
ANSWER: Both of those guys handled both punting and place-kicking and were really talented and a huge part of our success. Having a good kicking game is essential. My biggest concern in this area is about the playmakers in our region who can take any kick the distance. We were able to slow down those guys because Michael and Brad could consistently put the ball in the end zone on kickoffs and punts out of bounds and we also knew that if we stalled in the red zone we could put points on the board. We don’t have anyone yet that has really stepped up. We’re looking about three or four guys at both positions.
COMING UP NEXT: North Hall (Tuesday)
