EAST JACKSON comes out of the off week with perhaps a few more installments in the playbook.
Building on some of what it showed in the Hart County game, East Jackson (0-6, 0-3) tinkered with its option game and taking snaps under center during the bye week. The Eagles have operated out of the shotgun almost exclusively up to this point.
“Part of that is that we’ve had some snap issues with all of our centers … so going under, gives us a chance to maybe eliminate some bad plays we’ve had because of snaps,” East Jackson coach Brian Smith said.
The Eagles host Morgan County (4-2, 1-2) this Friday as Region 8-AAA action continues. Having shown some option against Hart County, East Jackson coaches hope Morgan County has something extra to think about during preparation.
“Morgan County knows it’s coming,” Smith said. “They’re going to have to spend a lot of time preparing for it. Hopefully that helps us this week because they’re going to have to spend time with that. That’s a new wrinkle.”
Against the Bulldogs, Jackson County faces one of the more solid programs in 8-AAA. Smith points to Morgan County’s size and athleticism and players like the Bulldogs’ Tevin Walker.
“He’s as athletic of a D-lineman as we’re going to see,” Smith said. “They all move well. It’s not just him. They fly to the ball.”
Offensively, Morgan County features a host of good players in its Wing-T attack.
“They’ve got some players on offense,” Smith said. “They have scored some points and they have run the ball well.”
Morgan County comes into this game having lost 29-22 to Class AAA’s no. 10 team, Elbert County, this past Friday.
“They’re as good a team as we’re going to see, I hate to say,” Smith said. “We’re in a part of our schedule where you’ve got to be ready to play every week.”
Unfortunately for East Jackson, the Eagles’ preparations each week have been complicated by injuries.
East Jackson’s list of walking wounded got a little longer last week with offensive lineman Jeff Chandler injuring an ankle last Tuesday in practice. Chandler was on crutches as practice started this week.
Receiver Josh Saucier’s status remains questionable. As of Monday, coaches were hopeful for the return of offensive lineman Josh Archer, who’s been out a few weeks with a shoulder injury. Running back T.J. Clay remains out.
If Chandler and Archer were to return, that would give East Jackson four of its five original starters on the offensive line.
Quarterback Austin Beauchamp, who sustained a bruised left hand in the Elbert County game, is said to be fully recovered.
The Eagles have lost a two-way starter at receiver and defensive back, Deangelo Moore, who broke his collarbone during the Elbert County game.
Linebacker Andre Sangalang has been out since getting injured in pregame warm-ups before the Commerce game.
While Chandler did get hurt during the off week, the downtime did allow the Eagles to get other players rested up.
“Hopefully, we’re a little fresher coming into this week,” Smith said.
Smith continues to drive home the message that this Eagle squad is dedicated to getting better every week.
“We’ve got four ball games left, let’s go play ball,” Smith said. “Our seniors have worked hard. They deserve us to play hard for them. We’re not giving up.”
