There are just 25 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)
JACKSON COUNTY (4-6 in 2023; did not qualify for playoffs)
The Panthers lost three games in overtime and missed out on the playoffs by one game in Korey Mobbs’ first season in Hoschton in 2023. Expect them to be right in the middle of the playoff hunt in 2024.
They do return young, dynamic quarterback RJ Knapp, who put up some quality numbers in just half a season last year. But they graduated their top two rushers and their top five receivers, so they will have some questions to answer during the summer and fall practices.
We asked Mobbs about Knapp’s progression and how the search for quality playmakers around him has developed during the spring and summer.
QUESTION: Coach, y’all have RJ Knapp back at quarterback with a full offseason as the projected starter to prepare. How has his progress come along during the summer?
A: Any time you return a quarterback with experience, it is a plus for your football team. He is a year stronger and more comfortable with what we are doing offensively, so that is a plus as well. He has had a good summer, and we are excited about his ability to get the ball in the hands of guys that can make plays for this team.
Q: The bigger issue will be finding some playmakers around him. Who are some guys that have stepped up at running back and receiver so far this summer?
A: At running back, Daylan Maxwell is poised for a very productive year for us. He is a weight room warrior and plays the game with the right mentality on every snap. He would be the first to give credit to the big boys up front that paved the way for us. We are also excited about Jayson Lee at running back, who has a bright future. At receiver, four guys emerged this summer. Seniors Jacob Coombs and Caden Daniels will provide leadership for that group, along with junior Silas McDaniel and sophomore Robert Spry. There are several others who will see playing time at receiver, as it has been a good summer for development at that spot.
BONUS QUESTION: You are having to replace a lot of production on defense, particularly at linebacker. Who are some guys that have begun to stand out?
A: Luke Mobbs and Kane Berryman will lead us at the linebacker spot. Both are returning starters for us and have been very productive players in their time here at Jackson County. Luke is returning for his third year as a starter and will get our front seven lined up. He is a physical player who brings the right mindset as a leader. Kane is athletic and explosive (on the outside) and can run and get to the quarterback. He will line up in multiple places for us as he looks to build on the solid year he had for us last year. Deacon Wiley and Maher Magness are promising linebackers that look to have breakout years.
- Up Next in Two-a-Days: JEFFERSON
- Previous Two-a-Days: HABERSHAM CENTRAL
