KINGSLAND, GA – While everyone else fine tunes things to get ready for their season opener in another week, both Oakleaf and University Christian officially kick off their season this Friday night.
A brand new coach is hoping to bring back the small town mystique in Kingsland, the home of the three time state champions Camden County Wildcats.
The small town just north of Jacksonville, produced some of the top teams in Georgia consistently in the early 2000s, but has been in a decline the last few years.
What a better way to turn things around than hosting a solid Oakleaf team, that has just missed the playoffs the last two years falling one game short.
Where: Chris Gillman Stadium
When: Aug 18, 7:30 p.m.
Camden County Wildcats
Head Coach: Bob Sphire (1st year)
Last year: (2-7)
Key players: Mikey Packard (Sr., RB), Devegas Austin (Jr., RB), Gary Brewington (Jr., RB), Jeremiah Compton (Sr., FS), Devin Harris (Jr., LB), Peterson Joseph (Jr., LB), Jamie Hill (Sr., DE), Oliver Kellam (Sr., K/P), Michael Austin (Sr., LB), Kobi Grady (Sr., DL), Deondre Carroll-rawls (Sr., OL),
Key newcomers: Jakaree Gadsden (Sr., QB/WR), Jacquez Gadsden (Sr., WR), Myjai Sanders (Sr., DE/TE)
Outlook: Under long time coach Jeff Herron, Camden County was one of the fiercest teams not only in South Georgia but Georgia period. Herron led the Wildcats to three state titles (2003, 2008, 2009) and consistently made deep playoff runs each year. After falling in the quarterfinals in the 2012, Herron stunningly left Kingsland for Prince Avenue Christian leaving the Wildcats fans in shock. Welton Coffey already on staff took over the head coaching job and despite two trips to the playoffs and a 27-16 record in four years, Coffey stepped down at the end of last year to become the athletic director. In comes new coach Bob Sphire, who has had successful runs in Atlanta and North Carolina and looks to bring the Wildcats back to being a local and statewide power again. Sphire first major change was getting rid of the traditional wing-t offense they have run for over 15-20 years and bring in a spread passing attack. Having a solid dual threat quarterback is key to a spread offense and Sphire has one in Raines transfer Jakaree Gadsden (16 of 28 for 319 yards, 5 TDs), who saw limited time behind starter Ivory Durham. Along with brother Jacquez Gadsden and Sanders, the three Raines transfers should all play vital roles for the Wildcats this season. While the amount of carries might drop with the addition of the spread offense, the backfield is solid led by Packard (372 rushing, 3 TDs), Austin (353 yards, 1 TD)and Brewington (188 yards, 1 TD). The defense should be a lot of better with the return of Compton (83 tackles, 5 pass deflections, 2 fumble recoveries), Harris (40 tackles, 1 sack), Joseph (37 tackles, 1 sack), Austin (46 tackles, 1 INT), Grady and Hill (34 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries). Special teams might be a factor and Kellam is a secret weapon, making 13 of 14 PATs, 4 of 6 field goals to go along with a 34.6 punting average.
Oakleaf Knights
Head Coach: Steve Reynolds
Last year: (6-3)
Key players: Keshawn King (Jr., RB), Jakobie Baker (Sr., WR), Jakari Williams (Sr., WR), Jamaric Bonner (Jr., WR), Tristan Brown (Sr., DB), Zechariah Nesby (Jr., DB), Richard Coffey (Jr., DB), Mitch Romig (Sr., OL), Anthony Norris (LB), Dexter Moore (Jr., LB), Kenny Davis (Sr., LB), Javierra Bovell (Sr., DL)
Key newcomers: Tre Simmons (Fr., QB), Jalen Rivers (So., OL), Chantz Williams (So., DE)
Outlook: Despite having back-to-back solid seasons at 8-2 and 6-3, the Oakleaf Knights were denied appearances in the state playoffs both years. The common dominator in both of those seasons were losses to nemesis Bartram Trail. The good news is with the new playoff system, a loss to Bartram Trail won’t knock them out of the playoffs as every game counts. But don’t be fooled the game with the Bears has been circled on the calendar as the Knights seek redemption. Four year starting quarterback Jordan Johnson is gone and will be replaced by a potential another four year starter in Simmons. Simmons may be young but has the skills and weapons around him to excel in year one thanks to King, Baker, Williams (352 yards, 2 TDs ) and Bonner (302 yards, 4 TDs). King busted out on the scene after accumulating 1,351 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first season on varsity. His breakout season got the attention of several colleges over the summer as King has become a big time recruit now despite being an underclassmen. He isn’t the only talented athlete as Baker finished fourth in the state boys weightlifting meet and Norris finished sixth in the high jump at the Class 4A state meet. Williams (30 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 sacks) and Rivers played sparingly last season but thanks to attending several camps over the spring and summer have become two of the most sought after recruits picking up offers from Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Florida State, Miami and Michigan just to name a few. Defensively, the Knights will be led by Moore (74 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks), Davis (45 tackles,, 6 tackles for loss ) and Bovell (36 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks). The secondary took a huge hit with both Nick Roberts (6 interceptions) and Kwame Clark (6 interceptions) graduating but should be in good hands with Brown (51 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions) and newcomers Coffey (1 interception) and Nesby (2 interceptions).
