For the past three years, the Greyhounds have won a region title and forged a deep run into the state playoffs.
Now, perhaps more than ever in that span of time, Jones County is positioned to do so again and strive for even greater heights.
That journey officially begins Saturday, Aug. 20, against Northside in the Macon Touchdown Club Kickoff Classic at Mercer University. It’ll lead into three more daunting non-region games at a AAAAAA semifinalist from last year, Dacula, now in AAAAAAA, and two more quarterfinal teams from last year – at home against AAAA Perry and at AAA Peach County.
That gauntlet will set the table for the region schedule. But to repeat, it’ll mean going through a nemesis of the past two seasons – Warner Robins. The Demons, the two-time defending state champions, moved into the Greyhounds region as a result of new regions and classifications set by the GHSA. Warner Robins eliminated Jones County in last year’s quarterfinals and in the semifinals the year before. In fact, the past three years have seen an eventual state champ end Jones County’s season with Buford knocking JCHS out in 2019.
Obviously, the Greyhounds would like to be on the opposite end of one of those December postseason matchups. They’ll get plenty of chances to be playoff- ready with their four non-region games and against Warner Robins, matching up with teams ranked above them in the most recent rankings that also place the Greyhounds eighth.
“We like to play a really good schedule, one that creates a good atmosphere and puts our guys in testy situations and gets them ready for the region and playoffs,” Greyhounds head coach Mike Chastain said.
Offensive pieces are absolutely in place for do that Jones County did last year and at times put up offensive numbers that made some fans think they were watching games in the Pac-12 or Mountain West Conference late on a Saturday night. Eight times last year, the Greyhounds broke 40 points and averaged 442 yards of total offense per game.
For the most part on offense, many of the players who were the reason for that output are back. Other than center Grayson Dugger, quarterback John Alan Richter, placekicker Evan West and tight end Austin May, everyone returns.
That includes two-time 100-meter dash state champion Zion Ragins at receiver, who is the top returner at that position coming off a season of 1,062 yards and nine touchdowns. Defenses can’t just key on Ragins, however, as JCHS has put on clinic after clinic of exploiting ways for Javious Bond make big plays either as a rusher, pass-catcher coming out of the backfield or other creases in the opposing defense. He had 552 yards receiving and 6 touchdown catches last year while on the ground rushing for 943 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Just as, if not more important, however, are the players that provide depth behind those two. Drew Jones and his hard running have made him into a short-yardage specialist with 506 yards and 10 carries last year. He’s one of multiple Greyhounds who could play both ways during the season, putting a spotlight on how important of an asset depth is to Jones County.
“It’s definitely exciting when you have guys that you can roll in,” Chastain said. “That’s always a good thing.”
It’s a similar tale at receiver where there is no shortage of ability among targets to catch passes with Ed Chester and Tyler Stewart having caught a combined 10 touchdowns a season ago with Jaivon Solomon and Geo Wade also among those in line to step up.
All of that talent makes things easy under center, where Judd Anderson, who moved to Gray in the offseason, replaces Richter. Anderson, who stands at six-foot-six, has the edge of having gone through spring practice with the Greyhounds, meaning that he’s not only been getting a handle on the offense but the players around him, too.
“He understands the processes really well. He has a big, physical body that can easily see over a big line that we have,” Chastain said. “That’s been a blessing. I’m really excited to see how he does.”
Speaking of that offensive line, it’s a group that returns a strong nucleus that’s replacing its center from last season. In his spot is Austin Hanks
MORE HOUNDS >> PAGE 13 alongside two on the left side of the offensive line that started every game last year – Derrick Cleveland at tackle and Lando Goolsby at guard.
The right side of the line is a bit more fluid where Chastain and offensive line coach Jay Floyd have degrees of depth to lean on. Will Agudelo and Mac Adams have been getting work at right guard with Adams and Coulter Robertson seeing time at right tackle.
“We feel like we have about six guys up front who can really go and play at a high level,” Chastain said.
As for the tight end position and replacing May? It’ll depend on what Jones County is seeking to do as an offensive plan. William Wooten has emerged as a leader for playing time in a more traditional blocking role with Eli Chastain being the top target as a hybrid tight end more geared to a receiver-like role.
“You kind of like to have a couple of different styles (at tight end),” Chastain said. “Both of them have done really well in the offseason.”
On defense, the Greyhounds took some lumps last year, battling inexperience and injuries.
As numerous Greyhounds coaches have noted this summer, many players have gone from needing a ride to practice to driving themselves. What that means is obvious – that a wave of experience has arrived with many of defensive coordinator Robert Braucht’s charges in the 3-4 defense a year wiser and ready to go.
That is especially true in the defensive secondary where the Greyhounds have a wealth of experience in at the safety position, so much so that it may result in either one of them rotating at times to play cornerback or Jones County calling for a three-safety defensive alignment.
“We feel like our safety group is a really strong group,” Chastain said.
One part of that group didn’t even play last year. Javion Clark, the hard-hitting safety nicknamed “Pinball,” is back after missing all of last year with an injury. He’ll be in a same position group with Connor Bass, last year’s leading tackler, and Bond, who over the past two years have seen more than their share of snaps. They should be complemented with the return of a cornerback group that includes Nick Woods and Javion Washington. Javion Butts and Tay Lattimore should also work their way into the mix. That addition of depth could also come up big since Bass and Bond are in line to see time at running back.
“It’s very key that we have depth there if one of them is banged up of playing a lot of snaps,” Chastain said. “We feel really good about the guys we have that can go in and replace them.”
Speaking of two-way players, count Jones as among them as he’s also set to play a major role at linebacker alongside Chandler Harris and Reion Blount.
Blount is another player who will possibly be seen on the offensive side of the ball.
“We feel like he is ready to have a breakout year,” Chastain said. “He’s a very fast linebacker who can make plays sideline-to-sideline.”
There will be proven experience up front with a steady two-deep rotation that is able to both make plays and keep a fresh group ready to play as the game goes on, with Omarion Tucker being among that group.
“He’s just a very gifted athlete,” Chastain said. “He’s 255 pounds and is one of the strongest guys on our team. When he’s ready to go, he’s really tough to block.”
Grayson Lundy is also in the mix.
“He plays hard all the time,” Chastain said. “He’s a force to be reckoned with when he gets going.”
Combine those two with Buck Edwards, Jamarion Parker and Seth Holder, and it’s a steady group that JCHS will rely on to win games in the trenches.
“He’s had a really good summer,” Chastain said of Holder. “He’s been working hard in the weight room. He’s been able to come in and have a really good year, so far.”
On special teams, the Greyhounds are replacing the leading point-scorer in school history with West having graduated. As of now, Brendan Waters and Shawn Huckeba are getting looks at the punter and kicker positions.
