This is the third of eight GHSA football 2016 classification previews.
Tomorrow…3A classification
Friday August 12th…4A classification
Monday August 15th…5A classification
Tuesday August 16th…6A classification
Wednesday August 17th…7A classification
Recently dominated by private schools, the 2A classification is now far more rural.
Championship Favorites…
Fitzgerald returns nearly every offensive starter to a team that was the 2A state runner-up. That’s it. That’s all we need to know. That is how good their offense was in 2015. They averaged 38 points per game. Well, ok, we should probably break it down a bit more than that. Senior running back JD King led the state in rushing at 2,432 yards and scored 33 times. The defense returns two interior linemen, the entire secondary (including an all-state performer in Josh Reliford), and all-state level linebacker. The emergence of James Graham at quarterback has taken things to the next level and for our money, the Purple Hurricane is perhaps the biggest favorite for a title in any classification.
Benedictine’s third consecutive double-digit win season ended at 12-1 when they were eliminated in the state quarterfinals by none other than Fitzgerald. Despite the loss of three-year starters Tru’Self Cooper at linebacker and Sanders Creech on the offensive line, the Cadets bring back four all-state performers. Senior John Wesley Kennedy could combine for 30 touchdowns rushing and receiving in 2016.
Injuries, big and small. Close losses after comebacks and giveaways. Underperformance by big-time players. It was a very frustrating 2015 in Vidalia. It started in the off-season when Nate McBride, one of the top linebackers in America, suffered an injury that kept him out for the year. The Indians started 2-2 and then rallied to win six of seven before losing to GAC in the state quarterfinals. They did lose a good bit of talent, but McBride is back; and he could combine for 100-plus tackles on defense and 1,000-yards rushing. Folks around the program feel so good about this team they have convinced us the Indians will be there come season end.
Contenders…
Admittedly, Heard County could have been on the other side of the cut line. The Braves will be led by junior quarterback, and Ohio State commit, Emory Jones. At 6’2, 190-pounds, he will be one of the top players in all of 2A football. Plus, he will have senior Austin Miller, who led the team in receiving yardage (393) and touchdowns (six) making plays. Finally, this was an underrated team in 2015. They won eight games in a pivotal season where they wondered if the inexperienced guys were for real. With more graduation, they will have questions; but the men returning have playoff experience.
Model could be a sleeper to make a run. They will be piloted on both sides of the ball by one of the best two-way players in the state. In 2015, senior quarterback and linebacker Kyler Eldridge amassed 1,101 passing yards, 927 rush yards, 124 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, and was an Honorable Mention All-State selection. He and backfield mate Chris Dublin, who was a 1,200 yard all-state running back, will form a dangerous tandem.
Part of the reason a team like Fitzgerald is such a heavy favorite in 2A is because many of the usual contenders in this class, like Callaway, appear to be a bit undermanned. Cedric Maynard has graduated and he took some experienced players with him. Now, the Cavaliers have talent coming back; and they should be a top ten team all season, but Braylon Sanders can only carry this team so far.
Screven County is a bit of an enigmatic team. Offensively, they lost all-state level running back Malik Prescott; yet, they return junior quarterback Armani Bunbury. On defense, they lost one of the best linebackers in the state in Jermany Hawkins; yet, they return preseason all-state selection CJ Wright on the line. The entire Gamecocks roster is like this. So, are they 7-4 when all is said and done? Or are they 9-3?
Playoff bound, higher seeds beware…
Jefferson County is quite the underrated program; winning 60% of their games since the program’s inception in 1995. Since a semifinal lost to Fitzgerald ended their season at 11-3, they have been hit by graduation hard. Still, a top ten season is possible.
2015 was the final season at Brooks County for a four-year class that put together a great four-year run (44-10, two semifinals and two quarterfinals). You may remember Georgia Bulldog Malkom Parrish leading the beginning of that run. This team could be dangerous at season’s end. Before that could be tough.
How do you replace one of the most electrifying players in the country? If you figure it out, send an email to Sid Fritts, the head coach at Elbert County. With Mecole Hardman now at Georgia, questions are all around.
With so much talent gone from the 2A classification, let us recognize this class is ripe for someone to rise from outside the top ten and make a significant run. Is Lamar County trending down? Can Bailey Fisher now lead Rabun County without Charlie Woerner? Will Dodge County be ok without Kyle Glover and Cam Young? Will this be the year Washington County returns to glory?
Top Ten challengers…
Pepperell, Swainsboro, Spencer and Laney.
Chris Mooneyham 