HEAD COACH: Jay Reid, 6th season ♦ CAREER RECORD: 15-26 ♦ 2022 SEASON: 5-5 ♦ REGION: 8-2A
A rough finish to a great start in 2022 left more than just a bad taste in the mouths of Banks County coaches and players. It had them wondering what could have been.
The Leopards got off to a red-hot 4-0 start in non-region action only to watch as injuries to several key players derailed the season as they dropped five straight games to get knocked out of any playoff contention.
Coach Jay Reid, now in his sixth season, however, found some positives out of it all coming into 2023.
“All of the injuries really caused a struggle on the back half of our schedule, but it made way for many others to get significant experience, and they were much improved at the end of the season,” Reid said about loads of underclassmen getting quality playing time. “We’ve got things headed in the right direction and are looking to capitalize on it
Now, Reid is hoping a solid spring and summer combined with last year’s experience has gotten his charges ready to make a push to get back in the playoffs.
“The summer went really well,” he said. “The guys did very well at some camps, even making the semifinals at the University of Georgia 7-on-7. We’ve really improved a lot over the offseason.”
However, they will have to find a suitable replacement for bruising All-Region running back Andrew Shockley, who graduated. Shockley ran for 1,261 yards with 14 TDs last year.
Junior Aucy Jacobs, who ran for 253 yards on 48 carries and scored three times backing up Shockley, is slated to take the reins in the backfield. Junior quarterback Kolby Watson, who threw for 554 yards and five touchdowns in just five games last season, won a competitive quarterback battle with junior Clay Smith, who will be used in multiple roles in the offense.
Defensively is where they took the most injury hits last year but have several key guys back in 2023. Senior Robert Walker is back, and despite only appearing in 4 games last season, he led the team in both total tackles with 37 and 2 sacks.
Also returning from injury is Camden Cooper, who played in five games last year but was second on the team in total tackles with 32. Bray Williams returns from an injury he suffered last year, hoping to improve on his 14 total tackles in 2022. Linebacker Webb Samples could be a player to watch.
It will not be an easy road for the Leopards. They open the season with back-to-back road games at Johnson and Oglethorpe County, which will be the first of seven playoff teams on the docket.
Banks County will begin its four-game region schedule to battle East Jackson, Union County, Fellowship Christian, and Providence Christian Academy to end the year.
“It’s really going to come down to that region opener and getting ourselves off on the right foot,” Reid stated. “That’s something we’ve failed to do with East Jackson and Union County the last couple of years, so being able to solidify in games six and seven is a big thing for us.”
GRADUATION STINGS
RB Andrew Shockley, Connor Griffith
RUN, PASS, AND RUN SOME MORE
Aucy Jacobs will have big shoes to fill taking over for Shockley, who had more than 1,600 yards rushing and receiving in 2022. QB Watson could be poised for a breakout season and has shown progression at several 7-on-7 tournaments in the summer.
THE NUMBERS GAME
The Leopards have battled low numbers in the system since the COVID season of 2020. But Reid has begun to see a steady climb as they now have more than 60 in the system heading into the 2023 season.
“We have more depth in several areas, and it’s making a difference already,” he said. “Our big issue, of course, will just be trying to stay healthy. If we can do that, we should definitely be able to challenge for a playoff spot for sure.”
TALENTED UNDERCLASSMEN
Most of the roster consists of sophomores and juniors that got experience in 2022 due to the rash of injuries last season. Most of the growing pains were dealt with in 2022, and a young roster may be ready to take a step forward in 2023.
FORMIDABLE WALL?
One of the more experienced groups will be upfront on the offensive line. Senior offensive linemen Bret Griffin, Mason Dodd, John Shubert and Andrew Humphries all return.
TOUGH SCHEDULE COULD BE BENEFICIAL
With seven games against playoff teams from a year ago, there will be few down weeks. However, with some early wins and success, that could be just what the Leopards need as they get ready for what they hope is a pushback into the playoffs.
WHAT’S TRENDING
Despite not making the playoffs in 2022, the Leopards are trending up. The five wins more than doubled their 2021 output and were the most in a season since 2017. If they can stay healthy, they could be on track for their first winning season since 2016 when they finished 7-5.
(Logan Landers contributed to this story.)
