GAINESVILLE, Ga. — It’s not a new saying or approach to football, but it’s become the motto of the Chestatee football team, and it’s working.
That motto: “You can’t practice soft and play hard.”
The War Eagles play hard and physical. Of course, it’s just one characteristic of a Stuart Cunningham-coached football team.
“We expect to be physical at practice,” he said. “That saying is not unlike any other team, and it’s probably used everywhere, but we use that as our motto. We do tackle drills Monday through Wednesday. So, it’s just something that’s become normal to them.”
It’s also the main ingredient that has turned the War Eagles from a 0-10 to a playoff contender in just one season.
Chestatee (4-5, 3-3 Region 6-3A) welcomes Greater Atlanta Christian (4-5, 4-2 Region 6-3A) to the Lynn Cottrell Complex on Friday for the biggest game in a decade. If the War Eagles win, they’ll most likely be in the playoffs.
You can hear the game live on FM 102.9 WDUN.
“They are dangerous,” Cunningham said about GAC. “They have two or three that are extremely fast that they can throw it to, and they have at least two that they can hand the ball off to that are really fast.”
The Spartans have had an up-and-down season. They lost to Pickens last week 28-25, fumbling the ball late and allowing the Dragons to pounce on a pooch kick late in the game. If it weren’t for those two plays, the Spartans would have likely won. Conversely, the War Eagles smacked Pickens two weeks ago, 37-14.
But those scores mean nothing now, and Cunningham isn’t using that as a motivating factor because he knows just how dangerous the Spartans can be.
“They're just a real dangerous team that could score any time if you miss a tackle,” he said. “And that's hard for a defensive coordinator. Anytime you play somebody with a lot of speed, they don't have to do everything right to score. So, we're a little worried about that, but we're practicing for it, and hopefully, we'll be ready for it.”
GAC runs a spread-based offense with a rotation between the shotgun, with rotating quarterbacks, and the wildcat set with Denzell Watkins, but they have been more successful with the rotating quarterbacks. They’ll also hand it off to Marceo Woodward (79-244 yards rushing, 4 TDs) and P Wilson (22-278 yards rushing, 3 TDs).
Tommy Young has completed just over 50 percent of his passes for 1,188 yards and six TDs and is averaging just under an interception per game. Adrian Hughes will rotate in at quarterback from time to time. He’s also completed just over 50 percent of his passes for 514 yards, five TDs, and three interceptions.
"Well, No. 8 (Young) is more of a pocket passer. He's a left-hander, throws a good ball, and seems confident,” Cunningham said. “No. 3 is a little bit smaller than him, but I think he's faster, and he has a really good arm and can throw it a long way, but I think he's more, more the runner. Of course, No. 17 (Watkins) is the tailback taking a snap. Yeah, they're all three good players.”
The Spartans average 22.3 points per game on offense and give up 22.6.
Meanwhile, the War Eagles average 25.4 points per game while giving up 24.4. In their four wins, they have averaged 36 points per game while giving up 14. Overall, the points per game are up over 14 from a year ago, but the defensive points are down over 20.
It’s a vast improvement in just the second season under Cunningham and his staff.
“When you block things right and your backs are confident to hit the hold full speed, it makes a difference in production,” Cunningham said. “What we’re seeing are the backs hitting the hole at full speed because they trust the people in front of them.”
Ben Plemons has been the spark plug out of the backfield this season. The junior tailback has rushed 148 times for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns. He leads a rushing attack that averages 273.1 yards per game, and against White County last week, he rushed 26 times for 218 yards, including an 80-yard TD run in a 24-21 win over the Warriors.
“Ben doesn’t have many runs where he doesn’t break a tackle,” Cunningham said. “I think we saw that Friday night. As impressive as his long run was, the 12-yard run was the most impressive, where he broke five tackles in a 12-yard span, which was pretty awesome to see.”
The War Eagles have plenty of horses in the wing-T stable. Charlie Bradshaw, Izayah Ledford and Hector Espinoza (552 yards, 5 TDs combined) can break off long runs. QBs Colton Steele and Gage Reese also can take off at any time, giving the War Eagles plenty of weapons.
The War Eagles have given up fewer big plays this season and are tackling better, and Cunningham said that’s the reason for the defensive turnaround.
“The biggest thing is we’ve kept the top on the defense,” he said. “We haven’t given up many long balls for touchdowns. We also haven’t given up too many long runs for TDs. We’re running to the ball better and tackling better. If you’re doing those things, your numbers per game should go down.”
Goss has led the way in tackles this season, racking up 73, eight of which are for a loss, six QB hurries and two interceptions. Steele, Hayden Sullens, Plemons, Espinoza, Bryan Silguero, Joe Blaker and Bradshaw have combined for 257 tackles, 14 TFL, 21 QB hurries and forced seven turnovers.
Cunningham said the War Eagles will need to start well against GAC, tackle well in space, and win the turnover margin to be in position to win. If they win, the War Eagles will most likely be in the Class 3A playoffs, and according to Cunningham, the players are focused and excited about the opportunity.
“I think our players are excited because they're playing well, and they feel it, and I think that's why they're excited. \They're getting rewarded for their hard work. And I think that's the way practice has been. They’ve been really tuned in more so than they have been earlier in the year.”
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