BROOKLET — They may have started off the season 1-3, but the Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets have shown that they have some very real threats on the offensive side of the ball.
Running back Tharon Davis showed that he can run in SEB’s 34-7 win over Portal. He was all over the PHS defense, rushing for 176 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone.
Quarterback Joe Wilson arguably had his best game of the year against Swainsboro last Friday, putting up his first 100-yard passing game and adding a 15-yard touchdown pass as time ran out in the first half.
The problem so far for the Yellow Jackets? When the passing game has been clicking, there have been problems with the running game, and vice versa.
“The whole key to our offense is (establishing both the running and passing game at the same time),” said first-year SEB coach John Kenny. “We’ve had a game where we threw it really well, and we’ve had a game where we ran it really well. Now we’ve got to put both of them together. Once we do that, we’ll have the offense that we planned on from the beginning of the season.”
Wilson has seen the same thing, and feels that with each game, he — along with his offense — has improved in leaps and bounds since Kenny installed his spread offense in February.
“Coach Kenny has come in here and done a great job,” said Wilson. “All of the coaches have come in and done a great job. We’ve progressed a lot.”
Having Davis on the sideline due to injury during the Swainsboro game forced the passing game to carry the offense. Having Davis in the backfield, says Wilson, makes for a multi-dimensional attack.
“We missed (Davis) last week,” said the quarterback. “It’s great to have him back this week. We did a good job last week, but we need Tharon back there and it’s great to have him back.”
Davis is just happy to be back in the backfield.
“I’m really glad to be back,” said Davis. “Seeing as how I missed a lot of things last Friday, I’m going to come out here and make up for what I missed. … I’m going to give 100 percent as always. I’ve got to motivate my team.”
Once the Jackets can establish both aspects of their offense, they have the luxury of a third wrinkle in the attack. The emergence of freshman fullback Dieon Evans — both as a blocker and a runner — has given SEB a reliable go-to man in short-yardage situations.
“Dieon helps at fullback, running that short-yardage stuff,” said Kenny. “The more we get him involved, the less the people can key on Tharon. The more we can throw it, the less the defense can key on our running game. Once we’re able to establish both, we’ll be better off on offense.”
The inability to present all aspects of Kenny’s offense has held the team to seven points or less in all three SEB losses, but the team is optimistic about the improvements of all aspects of the game. They look forward to playing four full quarters of football in front of the students and alumni at Friday’s homecoming game against Westside, and getting the most out of Kenny’s spread offense.
With all of the available weapons at QB and running back, and a talented group of receivers like Greg Wright and Tony Raymond, the Jackets feel that it is just a matter of time before everything starts clicking.
“I hope we can click together,” said Wilson. “I hope we play good. I’m a lot more comfortable. We’re starting to get on the same page together, and it’s getting better.”
Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9404.
Running back Tharon Davis showed that he can run in SEB’s 34-7 win over Portal. He was all over the PHS defense, rushing for 176 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone.
Quarterback Joe Wilson arguably had his best game of the year against Swainsboro last Friday, putting up his first 100-yard passing game and adding a 15-yard touchdown pass as time ran out in the first half.
The problem so far for the Yellow Jackets? When the passing game has been clicking, there have been problems with the running game, and vice versa.
“The whole key to our offense is (establishing both the running and passing game at the same time),” said first-year SEB coach John Kenny. “We’ve had a game where we threw it really well, and we’ve had a game where we ran it really well. Now we’ve got to put both of them together. Once we do that, we’ll have the offense that we planned on from the beginning of the season.”
Wilson has seen the same thing, and feels that with each game, he — along with his offense — has improved in leaps and bounds since Kenny installed his spread offense in February.
“Coach Kenny has come in here and done a great job,” said Wilson. “All of the coaches have come in and done a great job. We’ve progressed a lot.”
Having Davis on the sideline due to injury during the Swainsboro game forced the passing game to carry the offense. Having Davis in the backfield, says Wilson, makes for a multi-dimensional attack.
“We missed (Davis) last week,” said the quarterback. “It’s great to have him back this week. We did a good job last week, but we need Tharon back there and it’s great to have him back.”
Davis is just happy to be back in the backfield.
“I’m really glad to be back,” said Davis. “Seeing as how I missed a lot of things last Friday, I’m going to come out here and make up for what I missed. … I’m going to give 100 percent as always. I’ve got to motivate my team.”
Once the Jackets can establish both aspects of their offense, they have the luxury of a third wrinkle in the attack. The emergence of freshman fullback Dieon Evans — both as a blocker and a runner — has given SEB a reliable go-to man in short-yardage situations.
“Dieon helps at fullback, running that short-yardage stuff,” said Kenny. “The more we get him involved, the less the people can key on Tharon. The more we can throw it, the less the defense can key on our running game. Once we’re able to establish both, we’ll be better off on offense.”
The inability to present all aspects of Kenny’s offense has held the team to seven points or less in all three SEB losses, but the team is optimistic about the improvements of all aspects of the game. They look forward to playing four full quarters of football in front of the students and alumni at Friday’s homecoming game against Westside, and getting the most out of Kenny’s spread offense.
With all of the available weapons at QB and running back, and a talented group of receivers like Greg Wright and Tony Raymond, the Jackets feel that it is just a matter of time before everything starts clicking.
“I hope we can click together,” said Wilson. “I hope we play good. I’m a lot more comfortable. We’re starting to get on the same page together, and it’s getting better.”
Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9404.
