The Macon Touchdown Club took a look back at the 2011 season Friday night, in its Annual Jamboree. To do so they invited a coach whose team experienced a lot of positives last season.
Georgia head coach Mark Richt spoke about the 'hot seat', and being under the microscope, especially after the Bulldogs' 0-2 start. Richt talked about the role his faith played through the adversity, and how he did his best to keep a positive atmosphere within the program. The team responded with 10 straight wins and a SEC East title.
Now, with a strong group of returners in Athens, expectations are much higher in 2012.
"I do think having the majority of our defense back, having a bunch of key players offensively back, a bunch of young guys that are getting better, and a new class coming in gives us a chance to be pretty good again," Richt said. "I never want to put a ceiling on what I think we can do."
The club named its top prep performers from 2011. Co-Back of the Year went to Westside senior Terrell Johnson. 'Mouse' ran for 1,322 yards and 12 touchdowns, and was a 2nd Team All-Region selection.
Sharing Back of the Year honors was Stratford junior All-State pick Austin Simmons. He racked up 1,841 yards and 26 touchdowns, leading the Eagles to the state title game.
Lineman of the Year went to Central junior linebacker Nigel Bowden. 'The Hammer' had 155 tackles in 2011, as well as five sacks. He was a 2nd Team All-Region pick.
"It makes me really excited for next year," Bowden said. "It makes me feel that I can do more next year. It makes me feel real confident in my team next year."
"I improved a lot since my junior year," Johnson said. "Hard work in the weight room, on the field, and in the classroom."
"I always want to get better," Simmons said. "I'm going to work harder to try to do even better than this year, and hopefully we can win a state championship."
Along with honoring players for their work between the lines, the clb also awards annual scholarship to the top student athletes. Taylor Morgan (Tattnall), Jeffrey Moss Jr. (Stratford), Stephen Murphey Jr. (Mount de Sales), and James Watwood (FDP) won the Bobby Sanders Memorial Scholar Athlete Scholarship.
No surprise who took home the local Coach of the Year award. Barney Hester added another plaque to his trophycase. He led Tattnall to its 11th state championship. The Trojans got off to an 0-2 start, before reeling off 11 straight victories, including a 35-12 win over Stratford for another AAA title.
"I think a lot of it's got to do with the fact that our kids believe in the system," Hester said. "They believe in what we do. They believe in the fact that if we get out and do what we need to do each week, and keep worrying about what we do each week instead of worrying about that one at the end of the year, that we've got a chance to be good when it really matters."
State Coach of the Year went to Calhoun's Hal Lamb.
The Super 7 honorees were:
Player of the Year: Jordan Jenkins, DE, Harris County H.S. (college choice:Georgia)
Jonathan Taylor, DT, Jenkins County H.S. (college choice: Georgia)
JaQuay Williams, WR, Sandy Creek H.S. (college choice: Auburn)
Will Adams, OT, Sandy Creek H.S. (college choice: Auburn)
Quinteze Williams, DT, Sandy Creek H.S. (college choice:Florida)
Francis Kallon, OT, Central Gwinnett H.S. (college choice: Georgia Tech)
Jordan Watkins, DT, Woodward Academy (college choice: Stanford)