Eagles Look To Improve

The Montgomery County High School Eagles are under new leadership this season as Head Coach Kareem Hess has taken over the reins. He will be taking over a team that went 0-10 last season and is looking to make strides this season.

Coach Hess arrived at MCHS in early March with the rest of his staff coming in in June. They had a good summer with camps at Georgia Southern University, Dodge County, they hosted a camp, and went to Atkinson County for an OTA. That gave them some good competition over the summer as the team worked their way into the new system. Coach Hess said that he has seen a ton of improvement over the summer, and that the guys are picking up the new offense and defense well.

On the coaching staff this season, along with Coach Hess will be Devontae Osborn as the Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach, Josh Harrell from Vidalia will be the Defensive Coordinator, and Jake Hall will be the Special Teams Coordinator. Also helping out will be Matt Parker, Shaw Robinson, and Yabaka Moore.

On the offensive side of the ball, Jaquez Kelly and Eric White will be rotating at quarterback for the Eagles. White has the better arm and has some power in the run game, but Kelly is very fast and throws a good short ball. They both bring different elements to the offense and will both get playing time.

In the backfield, Elijah McEwen will get a lot of carries for MCHS at running back. Landon Williams will also get a lot of touches. He didn’t play last season but has had a solid summer with the team and looks to make an impact.

Out on the edge at receiver for the Eagles, they have four seniors that will be a key part of the offense. Jordan Patterson is a real deep threat. Jamun Coglin, who was a staple on the field last season, looks to make plays again this year. Jayden Harris is a playmaker for the Eagles and will also see some time at running back. Mason Barwick will see time at receiver and at tight end and is a solid possession receiver.

Up front for Montgomery, they will have Seth Carelock at center to anchor the line. At left guard will be Abisel Meztiquilla, Jayden Robinson will play left tackle, right tackle will be Torion Smith, and Chez Riveria will be start at right guard.

Coach Hess added that there are several players on the team that did not play last year. He tried to convince them to come out before school got out last year, and they showed up for summer work outs. He said that those players have really helped the team out, and they are looking forward to seeing what they can do.

On the defensive side of the ball, they will have two kids that have transferred into MCHS. Jaqwavion Grissom will be at one end, and Haze Thigpen, Stekenya Tate, will get playing time at the other end. At nose guard will be Robinson, who will be looked at to stuff up the middle. There will be a few others that will rotate in on the line as well.

At linebacker, White continued from page

will lead the way and make the calls on the field. Davonte Wise will sit at the other inside linebacker. Elec Waters will see time at outside linebacker as will Charles Rogers and McEwen. Coach Hess said that the linebackers are going to be the real heart of their defense and that they will be called on to make a lot of plays.

In the secondary, Zaden Waller will play at corner along with Cam Henderson. Will Palmer will also rotate in at corner for MCHS as will Jordan Patterson. At safety will be Coglin and Harris who will be utilized in several different ways in the defensive scheme.

On special teams, Thigpen will be handling the kicking duties with Palmer handling the punting duties. The long snapper will be White.

The Eagles will be in Region 4 in A Division 2. They will again be matched up against two of their rivals in Wheeler County and Treutlen County, with all three teams back in a Region together. This will be a tough Region for the Eagles this season, but they are hoping to get in the mix as the playoffs role around. They will play their first game on August 16 at Baconton Charter at 7:30 p.m.

Coach Hess said, “This school system has just had my back from day one. Anything we have asked for, they have found a way to make it happen. Dr. Barrow and Dr. Hightower have been great. Will Adams, our Principal, has worked so well with us, and everyone in the schools or has just been great.

“The community has helped out so much, fundraisers, helping us get new helmets, new shoulder pads, getting us drinks, food, they have just done so much. It has been a really great experience coming in here.

“I think that we are going to surprise some people this year. We have a really good group of seniors on the team, we have good kids, we have been working really hard, and it is starting to really show. We just have to get these guys to understand that they can win, that they can compete with anyone on that field. I want them to have fun and do to the best of their ability what we ask them to do. Just get out there and make plays, compete.”

The Eagles will open their season on August 16, at Baconton Charter at 7:30 p.m.

MCHS Running Backs – (L to R): Landon Williams, Trent Phillips, Stekenya Tate, Marco Tanner, Elijah McEwen, Jayden Harris, Eric White, Devontae Wise, and Coach Matt Parker.Photo by Mike Branch

MCHS Quarterbacks – (L to R): Kaden Williamson, JaQuez Kelly, Coach Devontae Osborne, Jayden Harris, and Eric White.Photo by Mike Branch

MCHS Cheerleaders -(L to R, Front): Arriyanna Brown, Paris Anna Thornton, Kee’Marhia Williams, Erin Adams, Gabby Nelms, Joanna Pantoja; (Middle): Ka’Lexis Thomas, Bailey Fountain, Ja’Mia Wesley, Jasmyn Troublefield, Jesselynn Jorden, Khloe Thompkins, Morgan Connell; (Back): Jaelyn Maldonado, Hartley Williamson, Addy Shepherd, Aaralyn Little, Zoe Jordan, Sicily Thornton, Zion Harvey, and Callie Rodgers.Photo by Pix Photography