Not long after taking over as the new head football coach of the Greyhounds, Justin Montgomery laid out his vision for the program’s vision and future with a five-word acronym: TOUGH. That stands for truth, ownership, unity, gratitude, and honor.
But it’s more than a slogan printed on t-shirt after t-shirt or a social media hashtag.
It’s what’s defined the Greyhounds during an offseason of transition as Montgomery was hired following the resignation of Mike Chastain. Jones County’s players have not only had to adjust to an entirely new coaching staff aside from two assistants, but there have also been new schemes to learn and even new methods of practicing and conditioning as JCHS comes off a 10-2 season in 2024 and a trip to the second round of the state playoffs.
“These guys are tough. They have adjusted to a new way of doing things and practicing. They’ve handled it really well,” Montgomery said. “I really like this bunch of guys. They are fun to be around; they get excited. Even if they mess up, they want to come back for more. They want to grow, and I love being around guys that want to grow.”
As a result of usual attrition, something else new will be key players on both sides of the ball for a team returning three starters on both offense and defense. Three of the biggest offensive impact players from the offense have graduated in quarterback Devin Edmonds, linebacker/running back Zaccari Thomas, and receiver Javion Solomon.
But it’s here in addition to various places on the field where there are plenty of Greyhounds eager to battle for spots on the depth chart.
“We’ve put a lot on them and are asking them to do a lot,” Greyhounds offensive coordinator Bradley Hunnicutt said. “They have responded really well.”
That competition to step up includes the quarterback position as Cason Taylor came away from the offseason as the frontrunner in front of Travis Brock and an offensive backfield where top run-game threats are Bruno Hicks, Travis Miller, Kaden Canty, and Brandon Jones. Hicks is the top returning rusher from last year, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.
“We have a lot of running backs and they’re all really good,” Montgomery said. “We’ll be able to rotate guys in.”
Up in front, the Greyhounds have a mix of players with plenty of logged snaps in Garrett Green and Alex Hammond. But there’s plenty beyond that with linemen ready to either start or provide rotational depth by way of Keith McCrary, Brandon Goolsby, Cam Sherman, Barrett Rosenberger, Elijah Mack, Ronald Humphries, and Cayden Laster.
“They’ve done a really good job of taking the coaching. O-line is a tough position to pay, especially with a new offensive coordinator and new offensive system,” Montgomery said. “We have a good group of guys, some seniors, juniors, and sophomores. I’m fired up not just for this season, but the ones to come as well.”
Multiple players aiming for spots continues for the Greyhounds as receiver and tight end. Top candidates for playing time at tight end are Drew Williams, Luke McCoy, and Aden Blackshear.
“(Luke) has had a really good summer, he has worked his tail off,” Montgomery said. “With our tight ends, we have guys with different skill sets. So, at the end of the day, it’s a matter of maximizing those skill sets.”
At receiver, JR Clark is the top returner from a season ago, where he caught a pair of touchdown passes, averaging 10.9 yards per carry. But he is hardly the lone receiving target in a group that also includes Cayden Gilmore, who has received an offer from Georgia Southern, as well as Jayden Johnson, Qay Turner, and Nate Vaughn.
Having multiple position battles is something that Montgomery feels makes the Greyhounds better beyond just the competition angle.
“It also breeds mental toughness because every day you are interviewing for a job. It’s not an easy task,” Montgomery said. “We tell them that every day is an interview, and that ‘how you do anything is how you do everything.’” Yes, the offensive side of the ball has spots where new faces are stepping into new or larger roles. That’s not so much the case in the defensive secondary in seniors Junior Holloway, Clark, and Andre Hall. All players who have shown an ability to make a big hit or snag gamechanging interceptions.
That experience is expected to feed off a defensive line led by Anthony Seabooks and Jacob Skinner along with Machai Bellamy, Isaac Elliott, and Glenn Rawlings.
“Our defensive backs have the most experience, and the d-line can be the most impactful. That usually works handin- hand,” Montgomery said. “If you have a good defense, those two usually feed off of one another.”
With DJ Ingram and Thomas graduated, new faces primed to step up at linebacker include Thad Smith and Hunter Hardwick. Also in the wings? Amarion Stanley.
“He has unbelievable instincts and talent,” Montgomery said of Stanley. “He will push these guys every day.”
All offseason, the Greyhounds had steadily learned on the fly, taking on something new. Now, the opportunity to reap the fruits of that labor has arrived.
“We want what we do off the field to show up on the field,” Montgomery said. “It may not be perfect right at the start, but our whole process is going to be to grow every single game and for that what we preach off the field to show up on Friday nights.”
