There are just 24 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)
JOHNSON (4-6 in 2023; did not qualify for playoffs)
The Knights are coming off their best season 2019, snapping a long losing streak and winning four games against the same 2022 schedule. It has optimism at Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium at a high level coming into 2024 as they jump back into region play.
But they also lost the bulk of their offensive production to graduation and may be in an early rebuild mode. We caught up with coach William Harrell to see what has been the prority during the summer for his squad.
QUESTION: Coach, y’all are coming off y’alls best season since 2019. What has the mood been like this summer as they prepare for the 2024 season and playing a region schedule?
A: It has been a real challenge; most of our experienced players have graduated, so we are working with mostly a young group that is having to learn the work habits and mentality it takes to be successful.
Q: There are a lot of changes from last year after graduating the bulk of your offensive production. But you have a promising up-and-comer at quarterback in sophomore Rye Kelly. How is his development coming along so far in the summer?
A: Rye is progressing well. His biggest challenge will be managing his emotions when the bullets start flying and the ship starts to take on water. He is developing the physical tools; the mental and emotional tools will be the difference.
BONUS QUESTION: The defense returns some key playmakers from last year. Who are some guys on defense that you expect to have impact years and who are some younger players that may be ready to make the jump to varsity?
A: We are hoping to gain contributions from Bryan Romero, Braylon Boyd, Kavon Shade, Will Mbota, Syer Bryce, and Nate Couget. They will be in the most prime positions to make an impact at the point of contact on the ground or in the air. Our defensive line, star linebackers and cornerbacks, will be unsung heroes if they do their job, but their impact will be just as immense even if the stats do not show. Everyone must do their job.
- Up Next in Two-a-Days: LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
- Previous Two-a-Days: JEFFERSON
