GAINESVILLE, Ga. — If you're a Gainesville fan, the 2022 season was just what you had been wanting -- badly. A fun and surprising run to the state championship game after a decade of mediocrity.
If you're Gainesville coach Josh Niblett, however, it's like watching 'Bull Durham' after Nuke Laloosh pitches his first great game and he's getting a critique from his catcher Crash Davis:
Nuke: "Can't you let me enjoy the moment?"
Crash: "The moment is over!"
Such is the attitude Niblett and his staff have taken since practically walking off the field at Georgia State Stadium back in December following a gut-wrenching 35-28 loss to Hughes in the Class 6A finals.
Asked about building off last season's 14-1 record, their first region championship (8-6A) in nine years, and their first finals appearance since 2012, Niblett was quick with his response as the second-ranked Red Elephants prepare to open the season against No. 8 Marist on Friday at City Park.
"First of all, you got to put it to bed," he said. "I mean, I think that's how you build on it. You know, it's just that last year was last year. This is a totally new group."
Friday's showdown, one of the best in the state in Class 6A in the opening week, will once again be a massive contrast in styles. Marist, the poster child for how to run a brutally efficient triple-option offense, vs. the Red Elephants' high-flying spread offense figures to be like watching two chess masters go at it.
Gainesville did a great job early of slowing down the War Eagles in last year's opener, jumping out to a 28-7 halftime lead. But they literally hung on late for a 34-23 win. For Niblett, the keys are theoretically simple and harder to execute in real time.
"It's all about the ball," he said. "We have got to take care of the ball on offense, and we have to get some takeaways. You also have got to kick them off the field on defense, or they're just gonna eat the clock.
"I think the biggest thing when you're playing them from an offensive perspective, your offense has got to be part of your best defense. We can't be scared to push the envelope and play and pin our ears back."
Several of the key pieces from that 14-1 team are back in 2023, including quarterback Baxter Wright (3,343 yards, 72% completions, 40 TD, 4 INT; 563 yards rushing, 9 TD), wide receiver Travien Watson (56 rec., 725 yards, 6 TD), tight end Sky Niblett (30 rec., 450 yards, 11 TD), and five along the offensive line that saw significant action on the offensive side. Throw in the additions of running back Gavin Hall, who rushed for over 2,500 yards last year for Hebron Christian, and three more on a defense that lost eight starters, and the Red Elephants could be ready to try and repeat their 2022 success.
Niblett said his squad has had a solid summer and fall leading up to Friday's opener.
"I like our kids. I like their attitude. I like their preparation, and I like their professionalism," he stated. "They have worked hard. I think we understand better who we are (this year)."
