Year one at Southeast Bulloch under head coach John Kenny had its growing pains.
The Jackets finished the 2007 season at 2-8, with wins against Metter and Portal. Neither of those teams are on this year’s schedule.
Not only were many younger players forced to contribute early, but the offense was also in transition from SEB’s traditional smash-mouth, Wing-T offense to Kenny’s version of the spread, which implemented more passing than folks in Brooklet were used to.
Though the players struggled with all the changes, they returned refreshed to spring practices and have committed themselves to rebuilding the Yellow Jacket program.
“There are more people showing up for workouts and practicing harder,” said senior Southeast wide receiver and defensive back Tony Raymond about the summer’s voluntary workouts. “Everybody’s just coming together, being a team.”
The newly-renovated offense was not be without its problems in 2007, but with so much experience and depth returning to the field this season, Kenny feels it is just a matter of time before those weaknesses become strengths.
Offense
Experience was lacking on the 2007 offensive line, but with upperclassmen occupying the starting five — two junior guards and three senior interior linemen — the passing attack should run more smoothly in the ’08 season.
Three experienced and athletic athletes also return to the wide receiver position.
Raymond brings his height and speed as a big play threat, and Anthony Cope and Greg Wright return to help keep opposing defenses honest. Wright also doubles in the slot position.
“The receiver and o-line (positions) should be our strengths,” Kenny said. “We’re really excited about that — our three receivers and now our two-man rotation at tailback. They ought to be our strengths. Quarterbacks and fullbacks — they’ll catch up and we’ll eventually be pretty good at those positions.”
The Jackets will implement a three-man rotation at fullback to compliment the tailbacks.
Speaking of running backs, the Jackets should be in good hands. With the return of Tharon Davis, whose kick returns and between-the-tackles running brought excitement to SEB fans all season long in 2007, the Jackets know what to expect. The addition of Portal transfer Shane Northcutt will provide added depth to the position.
The X-factor on offense? Quarterback.
Sophomore DeArious “Dee” Odum will get the nod in the starting role. He was broken in on the JV squad in 2007, and with some speed to accompany his arm, he could add some new wrinkles to the Southeast Bulloch scheme.
Defense
There were some changes made on the Southeast Bulloch defense in the offseason. With the spread offense sweeping through the football ranks from the pros on down, SEB has tried to adapt.
“We changed to an odd front — a five-man front,” said Jacket defensive coordinator Duane Newland. “We feel like we needed to go to that because of the offenses that we’re going to face in this region where everybody’s spread out across the field. We want to get as many runners in there as we can.”
There will be three down linemen matching up with the center and tackles of the opposing offensive line, and they will be joined by two outside linebackers, with two more linebackers on the inside. A four-deep secondary will round out the look.
Seniors Wright and Alex Knight bring some experience and leadership to the Yellow Jacket defense, but the offense isn’t the only group breaking in some new guys. The youth on both sides will be noticeable.
“We’ll only start four seniors,” said Newland, “so we’ve got whole lot that we’re going to expect from our group, too. The biggest thing is, on both sides of the ball they’ve worked hard for a year on weights. (They) had a good offseason workout in place, and most of them did what they’re supposed to about that. They’re bigger and stronger than they were last year.
“Is that enough to catch up? It probably isn’t, because most of these programs have been doing that same kind of work for many years, but we’re getting there.”
In year two of the John Kenny era, SEB knows it still has some work to do. Playing in the state’s toughest Class AA region probably doesn’t help, either.
“Making progress may not necessarily translate to a lot of wins (right away),” Newland said. “But if (the team) will continue to work like they have, especially the young groups that we’ve got coming up, we’ll be alright.”
The Yellow Jackets will not have much time to fine-tune the offensive and defensive schemes, because there are no non-region games on the schedule in 2008. From the season-opener at Dodge County to the regular-season finale at home against Laney, every game will impact the Region 3-AA standings.
The Jackets finished the 2007 season at 2-8, with wins against Metter and Portal. Neither of those teams are on this year’s schedule.
Not only were many younger players forced to contribute early, but the offense was also in transition from SEB’s traditional smash-mouth, Wing-T offense to Kenny’s version of the spread, which implemented more passing than folks in Brooklet were used to.
Though the players struggled with all the changes, they returned refreshed to spring practices and have committed themselves to rebuilding the Yellow Jacket program.
“There are more people showing up for workouts and practicing harder,” said senior Southeast wide receiver and defensive back Tony Raymond about the summer’s voluntary workouts. “Everybody’s just coming together, being a team.”
The newly-renovated offense was not be without its problems in 2007, but with so much experience and depth returning to the field this season, Kenny feels it is just a matter of time before those weaknesses become strengths.
Offense
Experience was lacking on the 2007 offensive line, but with upperclassmen occupying the starting five — two junior guards and three senior interior linemen — the passing attack should run more smoothly in the ’08 season.
Three experienced and athletic athletes also return to the wide receiver position.
Raymond brings his height and speed as a big play threat, and Anthony Cope and Greg Wright return to help keep opposing defenses honest. Wright also doubles in the slot position.
“The receiver and o-line (positions) should be our strengths,” Kenny said. “We’re really excited about that — our three receivers and now our two-man rotation at tailback. They ought to be our strengths. Quarterbacks and fullbacks — they’ll catch up and we’ll eventually be pretty good at those positions.”
The Jackets will implement a three-man rotation at fullback to compliment the tailbacks.
Speaking of running backs, the Jackets should be in good hands. With the return of Tharon Davis, whose kick returns and between-the-tackles running brought excitement to SEB fans all season long in 2007, the Jackets know what to expect. The addition of Portal transfer Shane Northcutt will provide added depth to the position.
The X-factor on offense? Quarterback.
Sophomore DeArious “Dee” Odum will get the nod in the starting role. He was broken in on the JV squad in 2007, and with some speed to accompany his arm, he could add some new wrinkles to the Southeast Bulloch scheme.
Defense
There were some changes made on the Southeast Bulloch defense in the offseason. With the spread offense sweeping through the football ranks from the pros on down, SEB has tried to adapt.
“We changed to an odd front — a five-man front,” said Jacket defensive coordinator Duane Newland. “We feel like we needed to go to that because of the offenses that we’re going to face in this region where everybody’s spread out across the field. We want to get as many runners in there as we can.”
There will be three down linemen matching up with the center and tackles of the opposing offensive line, and they will be joined by two outside linebackers, with two more linebackers on the inside. A four-deep secondary will round out the look.
Seniors Wright and Alex Knight bring some experience and leadership to the Yellow Jacket defense, but the offense isn’t the only group breaking in some new guys. The youth on both sides will be noticeable.
“We’ll only start four seniors,” said Newland, “so we’ve got whole lot that we’re going to expect from our group, too. The biggest thing is, on both sides of the ball they’ve worked hard for a year on weights. (They) had a good offseason workout in place, and most of them did what they’re supposed to about that. They’re bigger and stronger than they were last year.
“Is that enough to catch up? It probably isn’t, because most of these programs have been doing that same kind of work for many years, but we’re getting there.”
In year two of the John Kenny era, SEB knows it still has some work to do. Playing in the state’s toughest Class AA region probably doesn’t help, either.
“Making progress may not necessarily translate to a lot of wins (right away),” Newland said. “But if (the team) will continue to work like they have, especially the young groups that we’ve got coming up, we’ll be alright.”
The Yellow Jackets will not have much time to fine-tune the offensive and defensive schemes, because there are no non-region games on the schedule in 2008. From the season-opener at Dodge County to the regular-season finale at home against Laney, every game will impact the Region 3-AA standings.
