There’s no denying what challenge awaits the Apalachee High School football team Friday.
The Wildcats (1-1 overall) will play their first Region 8-AAAAA contest when they venture to No. 7-ranked Gainesville High School. The Red Elephants dismantled Winder-Barrow High School 69-0 last Friday and appear set to make plenty of noise in their first season in AAAAA.
“They are as good as everyone has heard,” AHS coach Shane Davis said. “In the last few years they have been very good and this year is no exception.”
Despite moving up two classifications from a season ago, Gainesville appears primed for something special in 2012. Davis is not surprised by that.
“The schools near the top of their division can compete,” Davis said. “Northside Warner Robins (ranked No. 1 in AAAAA) could compete with anyone in AAAAAA.
Gainesville has already defeated Buford, who can compete with most anyone. I’m not surprised they are transitioning with such ease. They have a program and athletes to make it happen.”
In breaking down this week’s opponent, the AHS coaching staff realizes all too well the challenge in front of the Wildcats.
“They just don’t have any weaknesses,” Davis said. “They do a great job with their passing game. They like to throw short passes and to connect on them quickly. They have good receivers who catch the football well. Even their short plays turn into long ones.”
While the focus of any successful team is often on the offense, Davis said he believes Gainesville’s defense is just as solid.
“They run to the football well and are well coached to be in the right spot to make a play,” the AHS head coach said. “We will continue to concentrate on what we do. That’s all you really can do. If you get to a point where you are changing everything you do from week to week then it’s not going to work. We will continue to work to get better at what we do.”
Another strength for the Red Elephants lies in the trenches.
“What most people don’t know is that Gainesville has a very good offensive line, said AHS defensive coordinator Matt Sorrells. “Those guys are big and physical. If you try to send enough people to get pressure on the quarterback, it then puts your secondary in a tough spot.”
Offensive coordinator Joel Miller has been busy the past several days drawing up a game plan for the Wildcats for Friday night.
“Defensively they will base out of the 3-4,” Miller said. “Coverage-wise, they will show both man and zone coverages. They will not overwhelm you with their size on defense, but their speed and how physical they are stand out on film.
“They do a great job of running to the football and gang tackling. For us to be successful, we first have to take care of the ball and eliminate the turnovers that have plagued us in our first two games. We then have to find a way to get first downs and keep drives moving. They are explosive on offense and can score quickly, so we have to control the ball and keep the clock moving. We must shorten the game and keep the score down and give ourselves a chance to win it in the fourth quarter. The atmosphere should be great and I think our kids are ready for the challenge.”
Gainesville quarterback DeShaun Watson passed for seven touchdowns and ran for another against Winder-Barrow High School last week. He was perfect throwing the football in the first half. Watson has verbally committed to play for Clemson following his high school career, which still has an additional season after 2012.
“We view it as another quality opponent for our football program to compete against,” Davis said. “It will be a challenge, but I know our kids will be ready.”
