Michael Spiers
Mixed Bag
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Week 1 of the 2024 SEC season was a mixed bag for one of the nation’s most dominant conferences.
While many SEC teams took care of business in nonconference matchups, the conference struggled in high-profile games against ranked opponents. The SEC went 1-3 against ranked teams, raising questions about its early-season strength and readiness for top competition.
The standout victory of the weekend was Georgia’s 34-3 dismantling of No. 14 Clemson.
The No. 1 Bulldogs looked every bit the part of a national championship contender, dominating both sides of the ball, once they settled in.
Georgia’s running back depth stood out, rushing for 169 yards against Clemson’s NFL-talent-loaded defensive front.
Freshman RB Nate Frazier emerged as a future star, leading the backfield with 84 yards and a touchdown.
Despite the impressive win, Georgia’s offense had a slow start, punting on three of its first five drives, struggling to convert scoring opportunities.
Clemson couldn’t keep up with Georgia’s depth in the second half, but the sluggish first half could be an issue against stronger offensive teams later in the season.
Elsewhere in the conference, however, the results were less encouraging.
Florida suffered a 41-17 blowout loss to No. 19 Miami.
The Gators struggled offensively, with quarterback Graham Mertz leaving due to injury. Freshman DJ Lagway showed flashes of promise, but the offensive line’s struggles, giving up three sacks and allowing constant pressure, were a significant problem. Florida’s defeat leaves the team searching for answers.
Texas A&M also fell short, losing 23-13 to No. 7 Notre Dame.
While the Aggie defense did well to limit Notre Dame’s quarterback, Riley Leonard, to just 158 passing yards, the offense faltered.
Quarterback Conner Weigman struggled with decision-making, throwing two costly interceptions. Texas A&M had opportunities to make a statement in head coach Mike Elko’s debut, but missed chances and mistakes cost them the game.
LSU continued its recent trend of struggles in season openers, losing 27-20 to No. 23 USC in Las Vegas.
The Tigers, despite being favored, failed to capitalize on key moments and displayed a lack of discipline. Costly penalties, including an unsportsmanlike conduct foul and a targeting penalty, contributed to LSU’s defeat.
The Tigers also struggled with tackling, allowing USC’s running backs to break free for extra yards on multiple occasions.
LSU’s wide receiver depth remains a strength, but the team’s defensive and disciplinary issues need to be addressed quickly.
On the positive side, most of the SEC teams dominated their nonconference matchups, though many of these victories came against inferior competition.
Alabama cruised to a 63-0 victory over Western Kentucky, with new head coach Kalen DeBoer’s aggressive defense making a strong debut.
Arkansas posted a 70-0 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, with Utah transfer Ja’Quinden Jackson leading the Razorbacks’ rejuvenated ground game.
Auburn’s offense also shined in a 73-3 win over Alabama A&M, showcasing an explosive new-look passing attack led by freshmen receivers.
Tennessee, Mississippi State, and Missouri all secured comfortable wins, with Tennessee defeating Chattanooga 69-3, Mississippi State routing Eastern Kentucky 56-3, and Missouri shutting out Murray State 51-0.
SEC newcomers Oklahoma and Texas also started their seasons with dominant wins. Oklahoma dismantled Temple 51-3, while Texas blanked Colorado State 52-0.
There were some close calls in the conference, though. South Carolina narrowly escaped with a 23-19 win over Old Dominion, thanks to timely defensive plays from edge rushers Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart.
Vanderbilt, meanwhile, earned a hard-fought 34-27 overtime victory against Virginia Tech, with quarterback Diego Pavia providing a much-needed spark for the Commodores.
Kentucky’s 31-0 victory over Southern Miss was notable for being one of the shortest games in recent history, as it was called off with 9:56 left in the third quarter due to weather.
Quarterback Brock Vandagriff, who transferred from UGA, impressed in his first significant action, completing 12 of 18 passes for 169 yards and three touchdowns, despite the shortened game.
As the SEC moves forward into Week 2, teams will look to build on their successes and correct the issues that emerged in the opening week.
For some, like Georgia and Alabama, the season is off to a strong start. But for others, particularly those who lost marquee matchups, there is work to be done to meet the high expectations of the SEC.
Camden County Wildcats Coach’s Show w Travis Roland September 3 2024
Camden County Wildcats Coach’s Show w Travis Roland August 27 2024
Rule Change
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As the NFL preseason wraps up, the effects of several new rules are becoming clearer, with the revamped kickoff alignment being one of the biggest talking points.
Kickoffs, which had been fading in importance, are making a strong comeback. This preseason, 78% of kickoffs have been returned, compared to just 22% during the 2023 regular season.
The league’s effort to make kickoffs a strategic play again has also led to a big drop in touchbacks, now down to 19% from 73% last year. The average starting field position after a kickoff has improved too, moving up to the 28.3-yard line, a nice jump from 23.9 yards in the 2023 preseason.
This rise in returns has led to more exciting plays, with 11 kickoffs returned for at least 40 yards, almost double the number from last year at this point.
However, some teams are still opting for the safety of touchbacks, and we’ve seen a 10% increase in kickoffs landing in the end zone between Weeks 1 and 2 of the preseason.
About two-thirds of kickoffs have hit the “landing zone” between the 20-yard line and the goal line, showing that teams are trying out different approaches under the new rules. But with touchbacks now spotted at the 30-yard line, there’s some debate about whether teams will stick with this more cautious approach once the regular season kicks off.
Another interesting shift is how involved kickers have become in the action. They’re making tackles a lot more often than before.
Last season, kickers were credited with a tackle roughly once every 15 games, but this preseason, they’re averaging a tackle every four games. This shows how kickoffs are becoming more dynamic again, with some coaches even using their starters on special teams to take advantage of this renewed importance.
The new kickoff rule isn’t the only change this season. The NFL has also introduced a penalty for hip-drop tackles, which has sparked a lot of debate. Despite concerns about how it would be enforced, no flags have been thrown for it so far in the preseason. The rule is aimed at the most obvious cases, where a player drops their hips and body weight onto the runner’s legs to bring them down.
If a player stays on the ground or on their feet while using a similar technique, it’s still considered a legal tackle. The NFL seems to be taking a similar approach to how they enforce the helmet rule, with penalties likely coming after the game during reviews instead of during live play.
Besides these major changes, the NFL has also made some quieter adjustments to its replay system. Replay officials can now review two new situations: whether a passer was down by contact or out of bounds before throwing the ball, and whether the game clock expired before the snap.
These additions fit with the league’s cautious approach to expanding replay, where they focus on fixing obvious mistakes without reviewing everything.
The league has also made changes to player safety with the expanded use of Guardian Caps during training camps and preseason practices.
These foam pads, which attach to the outside of helmets, are now mandatory for more positions, except quarterbacks and specialists.
The NFL also allows players to wear helmets that offer equal or better protection than Guardian Caps during practices and games, leading to more players switching to those models. Some players are still opting to wear Guardian Caps during preseason games.
With just one week left in the preseason, we’re already seeing the impact of these new rules, especially with kickoffs.
Teams are testing out different strategies, and the 2024 season could bring a lot more special teams action, with more returns and big plays than in recent years.
But whether these trends continue into the regular season depends on how teams decide to balance the risks and rewards of the new rule changes.
I can’t wait to find out!
Camden County Wildcats Coach’s Show w Travis Roland August 20
Moving On Up
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Kennesaw State’s leap from FCS to FBS football for the new season will be a significant challenge, but the program has a solid foundation to build on.
While the transition won’t be easy, there’s reason to believe the Owls can find success fairly quickly. Jacksonville State’s smooth transition in 2023 offers a positive example, though Kennesaw State’s path might be more like Sam Houston’s.
The Bearkats struggled early after their move up, starting 0-8 before turning things around with three wins in their last four games. Kennesaw State could face similar struggles, but they have the potential to make a strong start.
The Owls have a supportive fan base, strong donor backing, and a prime location in the college football landscape. These factors should help them succeed long-term, but their immediate focus will be on how well they adapt to the bigger, faster competition in FBS.
KSU has been a powerhouse on the ground since 2015, averaging nearly 300 rushing yards per game, more than any other FBS team in Georgia. The Owls’ offense relies heavily on the zone read and RPO schemes, with the quarterback playing a crucial role in their success.
The departure of signal caller Jonathan Murphy leaves a gap at quarterback, but junior Davis Bryson is ready to step up. He’s the only quarterback on the roster with experience, having thrown a few passes last season.
While Bryson is still developing as a passer, he’s a mobile quarterback who can make plays with his legs, a key factor in Kennesaw State’s run-heavy offense. The Owls ran the ball more than twice as often as they passed in 2023, and their quarterbacks accounted for a significant portion of those rushing attempts.
The offensive line, though younger this year, will need to rise to the occasion against tougher competition.
In the backfield, senior running back Michael Benefield is expected to play a crucial role. He finished last season strong, scoring two touchdowns in each of the Owls’ final three games.
Leading receiver Gabriel Benyard, who was listed as a running back last season, is another versatile weapon for the Owls. He’s likely to be used all over the field, including in the return game, where he’s already set program records.
Virginia Tech transfer Christian Moss, a Kennesaw native, could also make a significant impact when the Owls decide to air it out.
Defensively, it’s harder to predict how Kennesaw State will perform in their first FBS season. The Owls played just nine games last season, with their wins coming against non-FBS opponents.
Junior linebacker Donelius Johnson will be a key leader after recording 40 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and six tackles for loss last season.
Kennesaw State also welcomes South Carolina transfer linebacker Donovan Westmoreland, the highest-rated recruit in program history. Although Westmoreland didn’t see much action at South Carolina, he has the size and speed to be an impact player for the Owls.
Special teams were a weak spot for Kennesaw State last year, particularly in the kicking game, the Owls made just 6 of 16 field goal attempts.
However, senior punter Joshua Huiet has been reliable, and Benyard is a dangerous returner who has already set records for punt and kick return yardage since joining the team in 2021.
Since its inception in 2015, Kennesaw State’s football program has quickly found success under head coach Brian Bohannon.
The team has made four FCS Playoff appearances, largely due to their powerful option running attack. The last couple of seasons have been rough, including a 3-6 run as an independent in 2022.
Now, with key players returning and some fresh talent joining the roster, the Owls have the experience, coaching, and potential to be competitive in their first FBS season.
Success might not come immediately, but Kennesaw State has the makings of a dangerous team as they adjust to the higher level of play.
If the offense can find its rhythm and the defense holds up, the Owls could surprise some people in their inaugural FBS season.
The Owls roster has several players that may be familiar to high school football fans who are also readers of The Southern Sports Edition. Senior LB Jalen Barnum played at Wayne County High School and redshirt junior kicker, Britton Williams, was a standout for Richmond Hill.
The team also includes a couple of redshirt freshman from the old GHSA Region 1-7A in OLB Qway McCoy, who played at Colquitt County and TE Ian Pederson from Camden County High School.
The 2024 schedule for the Kennesaw State Owls is:
Aug 31 at UTSA
Sept 7 vs Louisiana
Sept 14 at San Jose State
Sept 21 OPEN DATE*
Sept 28 vs UT Martin
Oct 4 vs Jacksonville State
Oct 12 OPEN DATE*
Oct 15 at Middle Tennessee
Oct 23 vs Liberty
Oct 30 at WKU
Nov 9 at UTEP
Nov 16 vs Sam Houston
Nov 23 vs FIU
Nov 30 at Louisiana Tech
*one of the open dates should become a contest with New Mexico State
Camden County Wildcats Coach’s Show w Travis Roland August 13
Geaux Tigers
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In Brian Kelly’s third year as head coach, LSU aims to secure a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff.
Key to this ambition is developing a strong ground game to complement their potent passing attack and improving their defense to at least average performance levels. If these goals are met, LSU is likely to be a top-12 team when the regular season ends.
Significant changes will mark the 2024 season, starting with Garrett Nussmeier replacing Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels at quarterback, and Joe Sloan stepping in as the new play-caller.
Nussmeier, known for his pocket passing, led LSU to a victory in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin, throwing for 395 yards. While he lacks Daniels’ rushing ability, Nussmeier’s passing skills are promising.
LSU’s offense faces the challenge of establishing a solid running game, relying on Kaleb Jackson and Josh Williams.
Head coach Kelly expects wide receiver Kyren Lacy, who learned under a pair of 2024 NFL first round draft picks in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, to have a breakout season.
Other key receivers include Chris Hilton Jr., Aaron Anderson, and transfers CJ Daniels and Zavion Thomas. Tight end Mason Taylor, son of NFL legend Jason Taylor, is expected to play a significant role in the short passing game.
The offensive line, considered the team’s strength, is anchored by juniors Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr. at the tackle positions. Redshirt freshman DJ Chester is taking over as center.
Defensively, LSU struggled last season, leading to the dismissal of coordinator Matt House and his assistants.
Blake Baker, formerly of Missouri, is now in charge of improving the defense, which allowed 416.6 yards and 28 points per game in 2023.
Key players include linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., who returns to inside linebacker despite previous struggles, and Greg Penn III, who recorded 89 tackles last season.
The defensive line’s performance, led by Jacobian Guillory and Sai’vion Jones, will be crucial, and the secondary, led by Major Burns, brings experience.
Special teams see the return of kicker Damian Ramos, who led the FBS in extra points made and attempted, and newcomer punter Peyton Todd. Kelly places significant emphasis on the return game, with Zavion Thomas expected to handle most duties.
Despite losing top players like Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas Jr. to the NFL, LSU’s offense will remain strong, supported by an elite offensive line and a transfer portal reinforced receiving corps. The primary concern on defense will be the secondary.
Improvement in this area is critical for LSU’s chances to make the 12-team playoff.
In terms of roster changes, notable additions from the transfer portal include wide receivers CJ Daniels (Liberty) and Zavion Thomas (Mississippi State), and safety Jardin Gilbert (Texas A&M). Losses include running back Logan Diggs (Ole Miss), offensive tackle Lance Heard (Tennessee), and cornerback Denver Harris (UTSA).
LSU is ranked No. 12 in USA Today’s first Coaches Poll for the 2024 season. The Tigers’ first game is against the University of Southern California, ranked No. 23, on September 1st in Las Vegas.
Here’s LSU’s full schedule for the 2024 season:
Sept. 1: USC (neutral-site game in Las Vegas)
Sept. 7: Nicholls State
Sept. 14: at South Carolina
Sept. 21: UCLA
Sept. 28: South Alabama
Oct. 12: Ole Miss
Oct. 19: at Arkansas
Oct. 26: at Texas A&M
Nov. 9: Alabama
Nov. 16: at Florida
Nov. 23: Vanderbilt
Nov. 30: Oklahoma
Arresting Developments
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Georgia football has been marred by several off-field incidents involving its players in the last few weeks, continuing what has already been a difficult year of police interaction for Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs.
Among the latest, starting linebacker Smael Mondon and backup offensive tackle Bo Hughley were arrested on separate misdemeanor charges of reckless driving.
Hughley was arrested Tuesday, July 9th and charged with reckless driving and failure to maintain lane. He posted a $26 bond and was released from custody. Mondon was arrested the following day, July 10th on charges of racing on highways and reckless driving, similarly posting a $26 bond for his release.
The incidents involving Mondon and Hughley highlight ongoing issues within the program. Mondon was observed racing alongside freshman defensive back Demello Jones, driving at 75 mph in a 40 mph zone.
When stopped by police, Mondon denied knowing Jones, despite evidence to the contrary. Jones, who pulled over voluntarily, received a citation for racing. Mondon’s attempt to dissuade Jones from discussing the incident in their team group chat further complicated the situation.
These arrests add to a troubling pattern for the Georgia football program. Back in March of this year, teammate Trevor Etienne was arrested for driving under the influence.
Etienne ultimately pleaded no contest to reckless driving, and the more serious DUI charge was dismissed. All of this brings the number of traffic-related incidents involving Georgia football players to 24 in the last 18 months.
The year 2023 began with a fatal crash involving Devin Willock and recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy, which resulted in misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing for former Georgia player Jalen Carter.
Three months later, Carter was selected ninth overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2023 NFL draft.
The frequency of these incidents has drawn significant attention and criticism. Head Coach Kirby Smart has acknowledged the issue, expressing disappointment and emphasizing the need for better behavior off the field. Despite efforts to address these problems, the arrests continue to cast a shadow over the program.
Further complicating matters, wide receiver Rodarius “Rara” Thomas was arrested on July 26th and charged with multiple felonies, including family violence battery and second-degree cruelty to children.
This incident follows a previous arrest last year for false imprisonment and family violence, for which Thomas completed a pre-trial diversion program. Thomas has been suspended indefinitely from the team. His recent arrest underscores the ongoing legal troubles faced by Georgia football players.
The arrests of Mondon and Hughley, coupled with Thomas’ legal issues, reflect broader challenges within the program. Despite being one of the top teams in college football, Georgia has struggled to maintain discipline off the field. These incidents have the capacity to not only tarnish the program’s reputation but also raise concerns about the overall culture and management.
Coach Smart, during SEC Media Days, emphasized the importance of addressing these issues. He expressed disappointment in the outcomes of these incidents and reiterated the program’s commitment to fostering better behavior among players.
However, the recurring nature of these problems suggests that more significant changes may be necessary to ensure a safer and more disciplined environment.
The 2024 football season officially kicks off for Georgia in less than a month. The Bulldogs will host the Clemson Tigers on Saturday August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The Dogs will start the season at, or near, the number one spot in most national preseason rankings.
New War Chant
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Charlton County High School Indians are heading in the 2024 football season with a new chief.
After finishing the 2023 season with a disappointing record of record of 2 – 9, and what has admittedly been a difficult last few years, the Charlton County Indians made a change at the top.
In December, the Tribe hired Demario Jones as their new head football coach. Coach Jones arrives in Folkston after spending the last two seasons as the head man at Godby High School in Tallahassee, FL.
Jones spent those two years at Godby working to put the once-proud Cougar program back on the track to success. Even though the win/loss record wasn’t what fans might have hoped for right away (the Cougars finished last season 3-6), Coach Jones is confident they were moving in the right direction.
Jones said, “At first things were a little rough out on the football field, but a lot more competitive this past year. I knew what a rebuilding job it was going to be coming into Godby, maybe not a lot of people would have wanted it considering it wasn’t going to be instant success.”
Coach Jones is a native of Jacksonville and played football at Raines High School. He was a walk-on defensive lineman at Valdosta State University. He worked hard and played well, eventually earning All-Gulf South Conference status. He ultimately received two first team all-conference nods in 2008 and 2010, and won a national championship with the Blazers. Jones was also the president of the Student Government Association at VSU.
After spending eight years as an assistant coach at Valdosta High School, Coach Jones became familiar the region Charlton plays in (GHSA Region 2, Single A Division II) by spending a couple of seasons calling the defense for Charlton’s long-time region foe, Turner County.
Coach Jones is known as a defensive coach, but he has made a splash on the offensive side of the ball by bringing in new Offensive Coordinator, Arturo Meza.
Coach Meza will handle play calling duties for the Indians after spending last season as an offensive assistant at Lowndes High school.
The Indians will be expecting continued growth out of sophomore QB A.J. Glover, who accounted for 6 touchdowns and finished his freshman year with the third most passing yards in the region.
Also returning is last year’s leading rusher, Omari Wilson, who carried the ball for 453 yards, averaging 56.6 yards per game played.
The defensive unit will be young and hungry. Only a few starters from last season will return for 2024. Junior free safety Brandon Woolard returns for the Indians as one of last year’s leading tacklers, along with senior outside linebacker/running back Maurice Sims and sophomore defensive tackle, Tim Sapp.
As with all GHSA regions, there will be realignment in 2024 for Region 2-1A Div. II. Along with Charlton County, the region will include Lanier County, Turner County and last year’s region champ, Clinch County.
New for this season will be the removal Atkinson County, while adding Irwin County and Brooks County to the group. The region will now have six teams, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.
With a 2-2 record in the region last year, Charlton qualified for the playoffs but fell in the first round to Jenkins County.
There is a new attitude in Folkston this summer, and certainly a new energy. Coach Jones is focused on getting his team prepared to compete for region championships for many years to come. His philosophy is to empower his young men. He plans to use his experience to give his players the tools they need to be successful and then hold them to that expectation.
The 2024 Schedule for the Indians:
August 16th vs Brantley County
August 23rd at Mcintosh County Academy
August 30th at Jeff Davis
September 6th vs Yulee
September 13th vs Toombs County
September 27th at Lanier County (Region Opponent)
October 4th at Clinch County (Region Opponent)
October 11th at Irwin County (Region Opponent)
October 25th vs Brooks County (Region Opponent)
November 1st vs Turner County (Region Opponent)
