continued from page name called ….

continued from page

name called a lot of times and is has great hands. There are also several younger players that will get some time on the field and the chance to catch some passes.

On the front line for the Bulldogs, they will have Dakota Malone and Ben Bailey will both see time at center. Augustus Underwood has also worked at center over the summer and may get reps at that position as well. Javier Gonzalez and Underwood, along with RJ Langston will play at guard for the Bulldogs. At tackle, Landon Lewis has moved into the position. Maurice Oglesby is a big guy that they are looking to have a big year at tackle. Brody Benton doesn’t have the traditional size, but Coach Martin says he is a workhorse and gets after it every play. JJ Pacheko is a younger guy that is trying to work into a position on the line as well. There are some other guys that can fill in as well for Toombs.

On the defensive side of the ball, there will be a few of the same names as the Bulldogs are trying to develop some more depth at those positions. Hayden Johnson had a good year as a freshman and will be looked to do even more. Davis will also get time on the defensive line after moving in from linebacker. At nose guard, DJ Jordan, Jamarcus Johnson and Nick Frazier, and Zade Taylor have worked hard and are working into the line as well.

At linebacker, Scott and MJ Burton will get the start as inside linebacker. They have both grown and gotten bigger and stronger and will be playmakers in the middle for Toombs. McCall will also get rotations on the inside. On the outside, they will have Hayden Roy leading the way. Kareem Palmer has also put on a lot of strength and will be at the other side. Wadley and Slade Mc-Donald have had good summers and will also see time on the outside of the linebacker core.

In the secondary, starting at cornerback are Polke continued from page

and Aiden Stokes, who is moving over from linebacker. Deion Moore will also get a lot of time at corner. At safety, they will again be led by Hayward with Alex Scott getting plenty of time at safety. Coach Martin said he would argue that they are the best pair of safeties in the state. Fletcher and Junior Bullard will also get some time at safety.

On special teams, the Bulldogs are looking to replace Braylen Dietrich as their kicker. They have Alex Otero, who will come in to try to fill those shoes. Punting the ball, Fletcher will get the start and Lawton Toole will also punt. At long snapper, Malone will be returning to that position.

Coach Martin said, “I have been a head coach before down in Florida, but was just the football coach, not the Athletic Director as well. But doing both of those here, you really just see so much of the other stuff that has to happen. I couldn’t do this job without the administration that we have. Barry Waller, our Superintendent, is just incredible. He is in the weight room with us a couple days a week, out on the field a few days a week, he just loves these kids and really cares about it. It sets the example from the top down. The Board, the school staff and faculty all do everything that they can to help us out.

“A lot of time we get some crazy ideas as coaches on things that might help our players, and they always tell us, let see if we can make that happen. You know they have your back and the kids know that as well. This is just a special place to be and to coach.”

Martin added, “This community, just wow! If we are playing at The Pit, it is a tough place for teams to come to, and it is always packed out. The community travels so well, not just for football, but you saw them in Columbus for the softball team, through the playoff run of our basketball team, and to the State Championship for the soccer team, our people just show up and it is great to see, and we really appreciate it.”

TCHS Quarterbacks – (L to R, Front): Carter Branham, Cole Lovett, Joseph Owens; (Back): Lawton Toole, Coach Jared Hamlin, and TJ Stanley.Photo by Mike Branch

Photo by Mike BranchTCHS Defensive Backs – (L to R, Front): Nick Carrol, Don Mincey, Carter Branham, Markeal Crawford, Cole Lovett, Deon Moore, Aiden Stokes, Brandon Stevens; (2nd Row): Kaleb Bailey, Hunter Palma, Ethan Harrison, Jayden Greene, Cash Bland, Alex Scott, Cornelius Bullard; (3rd Row): Adam O’Neal, Gavin Fletcher, Justice Wilds, Mike Polke, Lagonza Hayward; (Back): Coach Jeff Smothers.