The temperature says summer, but there are indications of fall around Barrow County.
Currently, our high school football teams are working for the 2012 season, which is now just a little more than two months away.
Winder-Barrow High School and Apalachee High School both move to Region 8-AAAAA for the next two football seasons at least. There had been some concern the two would not be able to remain in the same region as the Georgia High School Association continues to struggle with how to handle its private school members. The end result was the addition of a sixth classification beginning with the 2012-2013 school year.
The AHS Wildcats should be playoff contenders. With several skill position players returning, the potential is certainly there. AHS has been close the past two seasons of qualifying for the playoffs, but missed out in the end.
Head coach Shane Davis, coordinators Joel Miller and Matt Sorrells and the rest of the Wildcat coaching staff have re-dedicated themselves to returning to past glory. The players have been dedicated during offseason work to taking the step back to the playoffs. The new region is tough, but AHS certainly has the potential to make it.
The 2012 season will be an important one for the WBHS program. Without a win since the 2009 season, the Bulldoggs are looking at a possible win in week one against Jackson County.
While WBHS is a larger school than JCCHS, a win on the football field won’t be a sure thing.
The Panthers have managed to post a few victories in recent seasons and the excitement level is at an all-time high with the hiring of former Flowery Branch offensive coordinator Benji Harrison.
One key element to the matchup between Winder-Barrow and Jackson County on Aug. 31 will be how quickly the Panthers pick up on Harrison’s passing offense, which was used to great success with mind-boggling stats at Flowery Branch in recent years.
If nothing else, it should create some buzz for both schools as they continue to work toward that contest. The WBHS Bulldoggs are debuting new offensive and defensive schemes for 2012.
The Bethlehem Christian Academy football program will begin varsity play in the GISA in late August.
The Knights will likely take their lumps during the early stages of their venture in varsity play, but the 2012 season will just be the first step for coach Don Garmon.
With each passing day we inch closer toward the new season. Like many of you, I’ve been ready for some time.
Chris Bridges is sports editor of the Barrow Journal. You can reach him at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.
