It doesn’t get any easier for the Winder-Barrow High School football team.
After facing the defending 8-AAAA champion last Friday, the Bulldoggs venture to Habersham Central this week to try and slow down one of the most explosive players and explosive offenses in the region.
Quarterback Kevin Ellison directs the Raider offense and stopping him will be a top priority for the Bulldoggs.
“Habersham Central is as good at what they do as anyone in the region,” WBHS coach David Wagner said. “Ellison really makes their triple option go. His ability to throw it has only gotten better and that makes them even more dangerous. He is a true leader and a true threat.”
Trying to attack the Raider defense will also be a challenge, Wagner said, as they use multiple alignments.
“They will line up in as many schemes as you can draw up,” Wagner said. “It’s hard to get a grasp on what they do.”
One plus for the Bulldoggs, who make the long trek to Mt. Airy for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff, will be the return of C.J. Hall at fullback. This will prevent opposing teams from keying in on Jamonte Riden.
“With C.J. out, we had to get away from our three-back formation,” Wagner said. “Hopefully, we can go back and do what we wanted going in. We should be able to vary some things more than we have been able to do since he has been out.”
While the final score from last week may not indicate it (a 44-0 setback to Clarke Central), Wagner said his team competed with the defending region champ. The score was 16-0 late in the first half before the Gladiators pushed the lead to 30-0.
“You don’t get any breaks from week to week in 8-AAAA,” Wagner said. “Habersham Central is a very good team.They could easily have another win in their total. We have to really play assignment football or it will lead to a busted play. Ellison is the type of player who can be in the endzone before you know it.”
The WBHS coach said he is stressing to his players and coaches to continue battling each week.
“At some point the breaks are going to go in our favor,” Wagner said.
