SEASON PREVIEW
It’s not hard for Greyhounds head coach Mike Chastain to point to what should be a strength of this year’s team. Coming off an early postseason exit than has been the custom in recent years, the Greyhounds will look to a group heavy of experience to lead on and off the field.
How many seniors? 32, to be exact.
“We have a really big senior class and one of biggest that I have been a part of. They do a phenomenal job in the classroom, on and off the field. With this senior class, we feel like we should be able to do some things,” Chastain said. “We expect the leadership to be really good. We have guys who have played a lot of ball, so you expect the leadership to be stepped up a notch.”
And with that much experience comes a self-imposed expectation of how this group wants to be remembered.
“Just being a leader and being able to, as a group of seniors, leave a legacy of work ethic and hustle,” quarterback Judd Anderson said. “Coach always says, ‘chasing best,’ and we have to teach these (younger) guys that as players, that’s something that we have to make happen.”
With that leadership, the Greyhounds will be looking to atone for last year’s first-round playoff exit following three seasons in a row of making it to at least the quarterfinals and twice in the semifinal round.
“Our guys are gearing up to change that; that’s the goal,” Chastain said.
That senior class litters both sides of the ball for the Greyhounds, and one of the most focal places will be under center with Anderson at the helm as starting quarterback to begin the season. This will be year two for him in the Jones County offense, a season after throwing for 1,776 yards. That year was also one of which he and backup quarterback Devin Edmonds split time of a portion of the season with Edmonds passing for 473 yards.
With both having time under center, the Greyhounds have a luxury many teams would envy – to have two quarterbacks ready to step right in at a time in case of injury or depending on how other factors may develop in a game.
“Right now, Judd is our No. 1 and Devin is No. 2, but both of those guys have done well. Both deserve to play a little bit. You’re in a day right now where everybody has to be ready,” Chastain said. “Obviously, if one is not ready, they wouldn’t play. Judd is doing a great job. He has improved tremendously since last year. Both of those guys have done a great job for us.”
Anderson is far from the only senior that will draw attention this season. Two of the Greyhounds leading receivers, Tyler Stewart and Zion Ragins, lead a receiving group that is strong on depth with the abilities of Ragins, Stewart, Jaivon Solomon and the emerging KJ Johnson and Cohen Barfield. The Greyhound receivers have athleticism that is well-known outside football. Ragins is a two-time state champion in the 100-meter run, and Solomon has been a state qualifier in the triple jump with Stewart on a state-qualifying relay team.
“We have a lot of good receivers. We really like the guys we have and what they are able to do,” Chastain said.
Complimenting things in the offensive backfield, it’ll be a different look from the past few seasons where players like Javious Bond, Drew Jones or Andrew Carner carried a bulk of the load. Rather, look for a running back by committee approach with guys carrying different ability being options. One is Omarion Tucker, having a more bruising and physical running style than two other options – Javion Butts and Bruno Hicks.
Tucker was leaned on at times last year when the Greyhounds offense went more run-based, rushing for 351 yards, second on the team, and leading all running backs with eight touchdowns.
“What people don’t realize is that he can really run. He’s a 4.6 40 guy and took one to the house the other day in practice,” Chastain said. “If he plays to his potential, he could be really hard to stop.” The offensive line is one of multiple position groups with a new assistant coach leading things as Daniel Brinson takes over following Jay Floyd’s departure. Tasked with leading that group will be a two-year starter at center, Austin Hanks.
“We feel like he really leads the deal there,” Chastain said.
He’ll be part of a unit with Will Agudelo and Ben Cleveland, who is a threeyear starter.
With that experience, Hanks says that confidence is strong throughout the offensive side of the ball.
“With Judd at quarterback, I feel very confident/ As an offensive line, we feel very confident with each other when we’re out there,” Hanks said.
If there’s a heart and soul of the Greyhounds defense –orchestrated by new defensive coordinator Will Conner a strong case can be made for Chandler Harris. One of the Greyhounds seniors, he’s officially listed as a linebacker but can easily slide up to play defensive line or even if needed go two ways and play tight end. Standouts in addition to Harris at linebacker include Zacarri Thomas.
“He’s a guy who’ll do anything,” Chastain said. “He’s a guy that’ll do whatever you need him to and has a motor that does not quit.”
Conner is the defensive coordinator for a coaching staff that is mostly new, although defensive backs coach Pat Jordan and Conner have previously coached together at Crisp County.
“We’ve been going hard since January in the weight room and on the field; they’ve brought the heat,” Harris said.
Jamarion Parker is another who in the past has gone both ways, playing tight end in addition to a defensive tackle position. Other than Parker, experience on the defensive line includes Grayson Lundy, whose season ended early last year due to injury.
Even with the graduation a season ago of the ballhawking and hard-hitting Javion Clark, the big-play and turnover potential is still in the secondary. That was shown in the Buford scrimmage when Tay Lattimore picked off a would-be touchdown in the end zone, and he’s part of a secondary that also includes Javion Butts.
“Every single one of these guys is fun to play with,” Anderson said. “It so special to be around these guys, this group of seniors. Everybody knows that it is the last ride.”
