Jones County spoiled a perfect regular season for Houston County in 2015. So, yeah, there’s a history there. (Note: Over the course of the four times they met while in the same region they were split 2-2.) At any rate, they’ll get to see each other again when the annual Corky Kell Classic kicks off Thursday at Mercer University’s Five Star Stadium. Lee County and Mary Persons will get things started with a 5:15 p.m. kickoff, followed by the Bears and Greyhounds at 8:15 p.m.
Nine games in all will be played, with Friday and Saturday games being played in the newly transformed Georgia State stadium.
As far as Houston County and its progression leading up to this point, “It’s been exciting,” said new Bears Head Coach Ryan Crawford. “I think our kids have really been through a lot in our offseason, with a lot of things … some graduations (one of those being stellar quarterback Jake Fromm, who moves on to Georgia) and some other things that affect our program. But I’ve been real excited about how our guys have responded.
“That’s something we talk about a lot, how we respond to things. And these guys have done a great job. This senior class … it’s not a very big one (21 are listed on the current roster), but we’re really proud of those guys and looking forward to seeing those guys lead our football team these next few weeks.”
Change brings change. Such will be the case for Houston County, Crawford said. For starters, he said, is fans will see a “lot different style” offense (than the Fromm era). That, he said, will be the first thing people notice.
“It’s not going to be a wide-open, spread attack, because obviously we don’t have the quarterback we’ve managed in the past. (So) we’ll be doing some different things offensively. One of those is using a tight end more, he said, whereas 6-foot-2, 175-pound sophomore Max Rigby will get the call at quarterback and “several” will see action at running back.
“But,” he added, “I think one of things you are going to see is the same type of emotional players. Kids who are excited about playing for Houston County and being in this environment.”
One of the things about this particular bunch, Crawford also added, is they have been in some “big” ballgames. Corky Kell, he said, is just one example.
“(So I think) we’re starting to build some tradition of winning. Building a program of winning, and I think that’s going to be the same. The style of play we do offensively and defensively might be a little different, but as far as the expectations, that hasn’t changed.”
Perhaps the hardest thing for Crawford personally, he said, is giving up that defensive coordinator position.
“That’s something I’ve done so long and been on one side of the ball and stopping people from scheming. That’s the reason you coach. The scheme-wise. Obviously with the kids, it’s building relationships, but that’s the part, going out there and stopping people. Figuring out ways schematically. It’s really exciting to me.”
Rod Harris will be point-man for those duties now, however, Crawford said it would more of a transition than anything. Same for the other side of the ball. “And (there will be) times I’ll be over on the offense,” he said, “so those guys continue to learn their role as coaches as well.”
Defensively, Crawford said the Bears have always done things “schematically” based on their players’ talent. Four-three is the typical base – although he did mention a 3-4 at times – but that won’t change, he said.
“Up front,” he said, “it doesn’t matter what scheme you run or what level of football you play at (he said he would rotate in and out six or seven), you know football’s won up front. And the line of scrimmage. And that doesn’t change for us on defense.”
As far as Jones County, it comes into the Classic following an 8-4 year in which it was eliminated in the second round by Buford. (The Bears finished 7-3 and narrowly missed.)
They, too, lost a standout quarterback in Bradley Hunnicutt. Senior Teldrick Ross, who started at cornerback but replaced Hunnicutt some during an injury period, is projected to be the new starter. He has a top-rated receiver to look for in senior DeQueze Fryer and in the backfield a 1,000-yard rusher in Drake Bolus.
On defense, the Greyhounds return five, including one of the state’s best tacklers in Corlen Williams.
“I like our chemistry and our character,” Head Coach Justin Rogers – in his fourth year – is quoted as saying via a Score Atlanta preview. “We’ve just got a lot of guys that are a little inexperienced, maybe they played in different positions or it’s their first time getting to be a starter.”
