When Jerry Glanville became head coach of the Atlanta Falcons prior to the 1990 season, he inherited a team that basically did not know how to win.
That’s why he put a high emphasis on winning the four preseason games in 1990. The Falcons emerged 4-0 that preseason and entered the regular season with a new sense of confidence.
In some ways, Winder-Barrow High School head coach David Wagner took that approach into last Friday’s preseason game with South Forsyth. The contest really could not be called a scrimmage because typically high school scrimmages do not involve live special teams.
However, Friday night’s affair at South Forsyth High School was played under regular-season game conditions. Four quarters. Live special teams. Coaches not being on the field during plays.
So when all was said and done and the Bulldoggs emerged with a 32-25 victory, it really meant something. When you are coming off an 0-10 campaign, then any victory means something. Wagner will be the first to admit as much and did so.
“We had the defensive players in to watch film Sunday and you could tell they had a positive spring in their step,” the coach said. “Winning does make all the difference.”
Even Wagner allowed himself to enjoy the win — for a little while — before diving back into preparations for Rockdale County, the regular season foe for WBHS.
While it was a preseason game, Wagner said both teams wanted to win.
“You had two teams really competing,” the coach said. “Neither team looked at it like it was a scrimmage. You would have thought it was week 10 and a playoff spot was on the line.”
Wagner and South Forsyth coach Jeff Arnette decided beforehand they wanted to use Friday night to play something which more resembled a game than a scrimmage.
While Wagner will be the first to admit, there are still things to be ironed out, Friday’s victory did mean something for his players. You could tell it on the face of Jamonte Riden, who had more than 200 yards rushing. Riden’s smile got a little bigger with each of his three touchdowns.
There was a new level of enthusiasm on the sideline among the players coming off the field.
Most importantly, when the game was over, the scoreboard was in Winder-Barrow’s favor, something that did not happen in all of 2010.
It remains to be seen how much the win Friday can in fact carry over. However, one thing seems clear. This is a new season for the Bulldoggs and things do appear to be moving in the right direction. Last season is now in the past.
Chris Bridges is sports editor of the Barrow Journal. You can reach him at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.
