Despite a 37-6 loss to Social Circle in last week’s opener, Oglethorpe County football coach Michael Holland said he believes the Patriots have come a long way since last season.
“Nobody likes losing a game, but they’re ready to work,” he said. “We’ll just keep chopping wood.”
Holland said putting players in the best positions was the main focus after a 48-0 loss to Lincoln County in the scrimmage on Aug. 8.
“(We’re) trying to get guys in the right spots where they can be the most successful,” he said. “(Getting) guys in positions where they can best help the team.”
Both Holland and senior Clint Graham agree that the physicality needs to be increased. Graham said the Patriots should be “fighting through the contact more” and “wrapping up tackles better.”
“Defensively, you’re not going to make every tackle, but you can help make the play by taking on blocks and being physical at the point of attack,” Holland said.
The Patriots were much more competitive in the running game on Friday. Holland also said the team was cleaner offensively and the linebackers did their job well. Graham and Jackson Tatum led the Patriots with 10 tackles each.
“(Graham) played really hard and was running all over the place,” Holland said.
Holland said junior Paris Crowder, senior Dalton Hilley and Tatum played well.
O’Maury Huggs led the Patriots with 32 yards and scored the lone touchdown.
Crowder added 21 yards, but had a 65-yard touchdown run called back due to an illegal block. He showed “some flashes of really, really good stuff,” Holland said.
Crowder said he felt like his leadership abilities need improvement.
“It would feel good (to step up) for not (just) myself, but (for) my teammates,” he said. “Encouragement goes a long way for a lot of players on the field.”
Hilley “made some big plays defensively” with seven tackles and two tackles for loss, Holland said.
Tatum did “a really good job of getting his read and striking,” Holland said.
Senior quarterback Caden Hartrum is improving, as well. Holland said “he’s getting more comfortable (and efficient) every week.”
The Patriots will play their home opener against East Hall at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The game was pushed back a day due to a referee shortage.
They will need to stop quarterback Jamarcus Harrison, who is committed to Kennesaw State, and accounted for five touchdowns in a win over Banks County last week. Holland said Harrison is “the focus of the defensive game plan.”
“The hope is that if we can stop him, we’re going to be able to hopefully come out with a win,” Graham said.
Offensively, the Patriots have to focus on the little things in order to “improve (their) craft,” Holland said. The team is “thin at certain spots,” he said, because so many players are on both sides of the ball.
“I think if we can all band together this season, and we can build on the flashes that we’ve shown on offense and defense, then we could come out and have a great rest of the season,” Graham said.