COMMERCE, Ga. — There’s comfortable, and then there’s COMFORTABLE.
We may only be two weeks into the 2023 season, but the Commerce offense already looks more than comfortable in its patented triple-option offense. As Murphy (N.C.) found out last Friday, that is a scary thing.
The Tigers shredded the Bulldogs for 538 yards rushing on just 41 carries, a whopping 13.1 yards/carry average. Jaiden Daniels had 208 yards and Tysean Wiggins 193 for Commerce in an impressive 56-13 win on the road.
Daniels, an AccessWDUN All-Access preseason first-teamer, already has two 200-yard games (404 total). Wiggins has amassed 336 yards in the first two games.
For an offense that churned out over 3,200 yards rushing in 2022, building on that seemed a lofty goal to reach. Maybe not. The Tigers (2-0) are on pace for 4,800-plus yards in 2023.
Commerce coach Mark Hollars, now in his third season, feels things are right on schedule.
“I think the biggest thing is just the experience and comfort level that our kids have within the system now,” Hollars said. “I've talked about this before, I don't care if it's at the professional level, collegiate level, or high school level -- it takes a minute to get your system installed. It's learning the vocabulary, it's learning the specific skills that are necessary (to be successful), and a lot of our kids now have that experience.
“We've got kids who have been in the system now for three years that are playing on Friday night. That makes a big difference.”
Commerce and its powerful triple-option will get its sternest test to date on Friday when they travel to Class 3A Hebron Christian.
SOMETHING WILL HAVE TO GIVE
At least on paper it will.
The Lions (2-0) flashed some defense last week in taking down Class 5A Villa Rica, 13-6, on the road. The Lions’ defense limited Villa Rica to just 48 yards rushing on 25 carries and just 104 total yards, according to their MaxPreps page.
Hollars said they are welcoming the challenge at this early stage of the season.
“They're fast, they're big and physical, and they're well-coached,” Hollars said of the Lions defensive unit. “They are very good at every position. There's not a position on that team that has a weakness.
“It'll be a test, there's no doubt about it. It's a very good defense. We look forward to these kinds of games. It's a measuring stick. You want to play the best, and iron sharpens iron, you know. We're gonna find out where we're at this week.”
EXECUTE, EXECUTE, EXECUTE
But every week, every game takes on its own life. Hollars was quick to point out that the team that executes the best usually comes out on top. He wants his group to just play.
“I think when kids aren't thinking they can play fast. And when they're playing fast, they're playing with confidence,” he said. “The execution levels have been pretty good at this point -- but there is still plenty of room to grow. The kids know that. There's a lot of things we have to do to get better. But again, I think the biggest thing right now is just their comfort level with it.”
ROAD WARRIORS
The Tigers may have an ace in the hole, however. They are 6-1 in their last seven regular season road games, with their only loss coming to No. 3-ranked Rabun County last year in the season finale. Hebron is just 2-2 in its last four home games, including the playoffs. Commerce also is looking for its first 3-0 start since 2018.
“The record doesn’t mean as much as just getting better each week. That’s our ultimate goal,” Hollars said. “As far as the road record, I really didn’t know that. Our approach every week is to just focus on the one in front of us.
“When we go on the road, I think sometimes, in some ways, there's less distractions. There's a lot of hustle and bustle at home. We love playing at home, obviously we take a lot of pride in playing at home here and honoring our tradition. But at the same time, if you're going to be a champion, if you want to go deep in the playoffs, you better be able to win on the road.”
COMMERCE at HEBRON CHRISTIAN
Records: Tigers (2-0, Region 8-A Division 1); Lions (2-0, Region 8-3A)
Last week: Commerce beat Murphy (NC), 56-13; Hebron beat Class 5A Villa Rica, 13-6, on the road
Where: Hebron Stadium, Dacula
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Commerce leads series 7-2. Hebron won 48-34 in 2022 and both of the Lions wins have been since 2019. The last Commerce win in the series came in 2018, 21-18 on the road. The Tigers are 4-0 all-time vs. Hebron in Dacula.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE for Friday, September 1
(All games begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.)
Buford at North Cobb, 8 p.m.
Cedar Shoals at East Forsyth* -- WDUN FM 102.9
Central Gwinnett at Jackson County
Coconut Creek (Fla.) at Gainesville -- 94.5 FM The Lake
Commerce at Hebron Christian
East Hall at Johnson
Hickory Hawks at Lanier Christian
Jefferson at St. Pius
Lumpkin County at Franklin County
North Forsyth at West Forsyth
North Hall at Dawson County
Rabun County at Adairsville
St. Anne-Pacelli at Lakeview Academy
Stephens County at Flowery Branch -- WDUN AM 550
Stratford Academy at Riverside Prep
Towns County at Union County
West Hall at East Jackson
White County at Chestatee
