There are just 29 days remaining until the kickoff of the 2024 high school football season. But make no mistake, preparations for the upcoming campaign began months ago. And teams throughout northeast Georgia already are in full countdown mode.
With that in mind, we spent the last couple of weeks catching up with programs around our area to get a feel for how spring practice went, how the summer is going, and what coaches believe the fall will look like. Our "Two-a-Days" series honors those old-school grinding sessions that lead us out of summer and into fall, asking each area coach two key questions about the state of their respective programs.
Over the next two weeks, AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night will get you prepped for the start of gridiron action with responses from coaches throughout northeast Georgia.
(Teams run in alphabetical order)
EAST JACKSON (6-4 in 2023; did not qualify for playoffs)
The Eagles posted their first outright winning season since 2009 last year, something that coach Cameron Pettus and staff had been building for since arriving in 2019. But in what was a brutal Region 8-2A it amounted to staying home come playoff time.
But they return the bulk of what was a young team in 2023, including dynamic quarterback Drew Richardson, who is poised for a breakout season.
We asked Pettus about the defense and Richardson and the offense, and what it will take to get into the playoffs.
QUESTION: The defense allowed just 25.5 ppg overall in 2023, one of the program’s best statistical seasons in a decade, but gave up over 50 points/game in region play. What has been the focus this offseason with that group?
A: We looked at the strengths and weaknesses that we encountered. Systematically we have incorporated an easier system to go from a 3-down to a 4-down front which will allow us to play faster. With so much diversity in offenses week to week we must be able to play fast, be adaptable, have great run fits and have solid coverage. Also we boosted our non region schedule which will prepare us for our level of play in the region. Our non-region is going to be extremely difficult but that's the only way we can get ready for our region.
Q: Offensively, y’all had the program’s second-best season averaging 33.1 ppg. QB Drew Richardson had a solid 2023 campaign but is he on the verge of a huge breakout season in 2024?
A: Drew has complete command of the offense, we feel extremely confident in him and what he can do. It's a fun thing to watch as a fan because he and the pieces around him are so dynamic. We had record-setting numbers from our receiver crew and we return the bulk of that. At wide receiver we have BT Callahan, Brady Saunders, Brooks Saunders and Braxton Goolsby who are all experienced, savvy and have had a great spring and summer. Running back has been solid with Jamarion Parks who had a great spring. Up front we have our returners Chase Hill, Connor Mcallister and Nick Carpenter. Jackson Gabriel and Jalen Dominguez are also veterans who have done a good job in the offensive line.
BONUS QUESTION: Y’all had your first winning season in 2023 since 2009 but have never had back-to-back winning seasons. The program also is still looking for its first playoff win since 2009 as well. How close are y’all to making both of those happen in 2024?
A: We are close, going 6-4 last season stung because we have made great strides in the last 5 years (but didn’t make the playoffs.) We know that we must out-execute and out-condition our opponents to get into the playoffs and win. It's the consistency we strive for daily.
- Up Next in Two-a-Days: FLOWERY BRANCH
- Previous Two-a-Days: EAST HALL
