Football: Banks County seeking first 4-0 start in 3 decades

HOMER, Ga. — If Banks County gets a win over George Walton Academy on Friday, it'll be the first 4-0 start in more than three decades.  

It was in the third year of head coach Dennis Marlow's 10-year career at Banks County. It was 1991. The Leopards opened that season on a six-game win streak while beating Union County, Jackson County, Jefferson, Dacula, Social Circle and Buford. A three-game skid to Athens Academy, Commerce and Monticello kept Banks County out of the playoffs that year. (Only two teams out of the region made the playoffs back then.)

The 90s were good for Banks County football, posting seven winning seasons in a brutal Region 8-A. 

Since the 90s, the Leopards have only posted four winning seasons, three .500 campaigns and six playoff berths -- five first-round and one second-round appearance. 

This season is different for the Leopards; the proof is in the numbers. This time last year, Banks County only averaged 8 points per game and gave up 18. This season, they are yielding just 13 points while scoring 35 ppg. 

Head coach Jay Reid attributes the turnaround to his team's camaraderie. 

"These kids have really come together as a family, trusting coaches and teammates and working tirelessly," coach Jay Reid said. "They believe, and that belief is hard to overcome. Once you get that belief rolling and you stack in a couple of wins behind it to give you some confidence, you go into each week thinking you have a chance. That's where our guys are right now, thinking they can win every game."

Reid said posting three straight wins has given the Leopards confidence or a "pep in their step" early in the season, and it has set the program and fanbase on fire. 

"It's shot it through the roof," he said. "Our guys are coming out to practice feeling good about themselves. They go into the week with confidence and a lot more focus. It's a real pleasant thing to see in our program. It's an amazing thing to watch." 

Reid has been at the helm in Homer for the last five seasons. His best season was in 2018, when the Leopards finished 4-6. 
It's been a grind on him and his staff, but he says the program has been improving every year, although it's not shown up in the win column. 

"You know, being a head coach is not easy," he said. "I can remember hearing former coaches going through those tough situations saying, 'you don't understand until you sit in that seat.' It's a grind on you when you see things improving every year but not getting the wins in the column." 

Of course, when you dig a bit deeper into the stats, you'll find why the Leopards have been tough to handle. 

Andrew Shockley has been the story in Homer. He's already racked up 677 yards rushing -- leads Class 2A -- and is averaging 255 yards per game. 

But it takes more than one player to have success in football. 

The Leopards have had seven tote the rock, with three rushing for more than 100 yards.  Aaron Scott, who averages 9.4 yards per carry, has 178 total yards, and Aucy Jacobs has 100. 

Senior quarterback Caine Griffith has been a steady leader on offense. The offensive line is improving  -- center Andrew Humphries, guards Aubrey Allen and John Shubert, tackles Eli Ward and Brett Griffin and tight end Jonathan Burkett. And the receiving corp, led by Scott, continues to evolve. 

"Our offensive line is improving and is a good thing to see," he said. "The upfront guys come to work every day, and they're positive and physical. So, when we can put a game on their shoulders, we certainly will."

Reid said they like to be as multiple as possible on offense, but so far, the rushing attack has been the talk of the town. 

"Our passing game I feel really good about, but we haven't really been able to show it much yet," he said. "When you get into a couple of games and your running game is working, why throw it? But we are looking to expose people in the passing game a little bit better." 

The defense, led by Cam Cooper at linebacker, also continues to improve, giving up five fewer points than they did this time last season. Reid credits the improvement to being physical. 

"Defensively, we've been flying to the ball and being really physical," he said. "The biggest thing is playing fast and being physical. We've simplified some things to let them cut loose a bit."

Regardless of the Xs and Os, the Leopards are on the upward trend and have given the community something to cheer about.

"To get back to a winning form and produce a very good product on the field is huge for this program," Reid said. "Our community has really rallied behind us. It's cool to see a small town get behind and bond with our football program."