“Guess who just got back today? Those wild-eyed boys that have been away.” — Thin Lizzy
The temperature feels anything like fall, but if you’ve been paying attention, high school football is back.
Well, in many ways, it has never left. With offseason conditioning, weight training and the ongoing preparations, one season simply begins right after another one ends these days. It’s the way it is all over.
Here in our neck of the woods, both Winder-Barrow High School and Apalachee High School opened preseason practice this week as the clock continues to count down to Aug. 26 when both teams will open the 2011 regular season.
Here’s an early preseason practice report for both teams:
WINDER-BARROW
With second-year head coach David Wagner having an entire offseason to work with his players, primarily in the weight training department, look for big improvements when it comes to strength.
Wagner believes his players should be weightroom warriors and the Bulldoggs hope to use the stamina gained from this rigorous training to help win games late.
The key for WBHS is simply believing it can win. The Bulldoggs came close on occasion a year ago but a victory would mean so much to the program.
There is a chance for that to happen in the opening game against Rockdale County. In some ways I believe it will benefit Wagner’s team to be on the road.
The distractions and pressure of playing at home will not be there and sometimes it helps a team to be on the road. Even the short ride to Conyers will help the players become focused on the task at hand.
The opener is still several days away, however, and there is plenty of work to be done in that time. Another advantage for the WBHS program is all but one varsity coach returns. Stability among the coaching staff is a key for any successful high school football program and it appears Wagner has that.
APALACHEE
While there was some bright moments for the Wildcats in 2010, the season did not end the way coach Shane Davis or his coaches and players wanted. As a result, AHS missed the playoffs by a game at 6-4.
Davis was the first to admit the season was a disappointment for all involved but numerous key players return for 2011.
Region 8-AAAA will should provide an interesting battle for the four playoff spots again and no one should be surprised if spots are not claimed until week 10 of the regular season.
AHS has been running the same system for several years offensively and that helps. Quarterback Clint Ashe returns along with Stanley Williams, who has already committed to the University of Georgia despite having three years left of high school. Ashe was impressive during the opening day of preseason practice Monday morning. He was accurate with his throws and displayed the necessary confidence a quarterback needs to help lead his team. Look for big things from Ashe this fall, as well as other members of the team.
In addition to key skill position players, the Wildcats have talent in the trenches as well in players like Clint Shook and Chris Guthrie.
An early-season matchup (game two) with Flowery Branch coud go a long way in determining Apalachee’s postseason chances.
Last season’s game was a track meet with neither team being able to stop the other. It could be more of the same this fall although you can be assured Davis will look to shore things up defensively when the teams meet again.
AHS has the talent and drive to challenge for a playoff spot again after missing the postseason for a year. Nothing’s a given and every game will be important. (The loss to lowly Cedar Shoals was devastating in 2010 for the Wildcats.) However, judging from the enthusiasm shown Monday, this is a program which will certainly be in contention again this season. It’s going to be fun to watch.
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As the teams begin the official march for 2011, it will be an interesting ride as we chronicle each step the programs take. Buckle up, football is here again.
Our sports staff will bring you the best insight into Barrow County football in 2011. Just like the teams on the field, our team will work many hours to be successful at our task. We know how much football means to our community and we are also eager for the 2011 season.
Chris Bridges is sports editor of the Barrow Journal. You can reach him at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.
