The 2008 football season will be one to remember — that I can assure you.
From Millen to Brooklet, there’s stories under every rock, and we hope to stay on them like a defensive lineman on a fumble.
The biggest story, of course, is the boys over at Emanuel County Institute. It will be years before we fully comprehend the type of season ECI put together in 2007.
But now it’s 2008, and the Bulldogs will have the biggest of targets on their back. Washaun Ealey and company won’t be sneaking up on anyone this season, and the road to a repeat will be that much tougher.
Next, there’s Statesboro. The puzzle pieces are all there. Whether the picture will come together or not remains to be seen.
The entire offensive backfield is back and the defense will be as tough as ever. A first-round loss in the playoffs in 2007 has made these Blue Devils work just that much harder.
A deep run in the postseason could be in Statesboro’s future.
Another key story to keep an eye on is the playoff scenario.
This season the state championship games in the GHSA will be played in the Georgia Dome. Getting to that point is going to be very complicated and confusing for some teams.
In Region 3, Class A, 13 teams will be fighting for four playoff spots. How you get 13 into four is more complicated filing your taxes.
Simply put, the final game of the regular season will be a winner take all playoff game just to advance to the state playoffs. Scary.
There’s also plenty of things to watch for outside of those big three lines.
Screven County again looks poised to make a run in the revamped, ultra-tough Class AA Region 3. The Gamecocks have been on the rise every year for the past three and are ready to make a run.
Quietly, the pride of Millen in Jenkins County has a shot to make the playoffs. If the ball bounces the Eagles’ way and they stay relatively healthy, this could be the feel good story of ‘08.
At home in Bulloch County, Southeast Bulloch, Portal and Bulloch Academy are looking down the barrel of different forms of new era’s.
The Gators lost a slew of offensive talent from 2007. They’ll need some big time performances from some new names to make the playoffs.
In Brooklet, John Kenny has the Yellow Jackets headed in the right direction. A new quarterback in the midst of some talented athletes probably means SEB is at least another year away. But don’t be surprised if a few upsets go there way.
In Panthersville, a new spread offense has taken over and PHS will have to find a way to put points on the board. Playmakers are all over the field, but getting the ball in their hands and getting them to the end zone will be key.
Whatever happens to your favorite team this year, the Statesboro Herald will be sure to keep you up to the minute. We hope all our area teams have unlimited success.
Hopefully — we’ll see you at the Dome.
From Millen to Brooklet, there’s stories under every rock, and we hope to stay on them like a defensive lineman on a fumble.
The biggest story, of course, is the boys over at Emanuel County Institute. It will be years before we fully comprehend the type of season ECI put together in 2007.
But now it’s 2008, and the Bulldogs will have the biggest of targets on their back. Washaun Ealey and company won’t be sneaking up on anyone this season, and the road to a repeat will be that much tougher.
Next, there’s Statesboro. The puzzle pieces are all there. Whether the picture will come together or not remains to be seen.
The entire offensive backfield is back and the defense will be as tough as ever. A first-round loss in the playoffs in 2007 has made these Blue Devils work just that much harder.
A deep run in the postseason could be in Statesboro’s future.
Another key story to keep an eye on is the playoff scenario.
This season the state championship games in the GHSA will be played in the Georgia Dome. Getting to that point is going to be very complicated and confusing for some teams.
In Region 3, Class A, 13 teams will be fighting for four playoff spots. How you get 13 into four is more complicated filing your taxes.
Simply put, the final game of the regular season will be a winner take all playoff game just to advance to the state playoffs. Scary.
There’s also plenty of things to watch for outside of those big three lines.
Screven County again looks poised to make a run in the revamped, ultra-tough Class AA Region 3. The Gamecocks have been on the rise every year for the past three and are ready to make a run.
Quietly, the pride of Millen in Jenkins County has a shot to make the playoffs. If the ball bounces the Eagles’ way and they stay relatively healthy, this could be the feel good story of ‘08.
At home in Bulloch County, Southeast Bulloch, Portal and Bulloch Academy are looking down the barrel of different forms of new era’s.
The Gators lost a slew of offensive talent from 2007. They’ll need some big time performances from some new names to make the playoffs.
In Brooklet, John Kenny has the Yellow Jackets headed in the right direction. A new quarterback in the midst of some talented athletes probably means SEB is at least another year away. But don’t be surprised if a few upsets go there way.
In Panthersville, a new spread offense has taken over and PHS will have to find a way to put points on the board. Playmakers are all over the field, but getting the ball in their hands and getting them to the end zone will be key.
Whatever happens to your favorite team this year, the Statesboro Herald will be sure to keep you up to the minute. We hope all our area teams have unlimited success.
Hopefully — we’ll see you at the Dome.
