Storylines to follow
The Eagles are coming off a pretty good season by anyone’s standards. The 2014 season saw the Eagles, led mostly by a group of stellar sophomores at the time, advance to the playoffs and overcome a 21-point deficit to beat Thomson 35-34 in double overtime. Eastside finished 7-5 (4-4 Region 4-AAAA).
Arthur Holmes. defensive end, Evan House, receiver and Carlos Huggins, running back/linebacker, highlight some of the key losses for a talented team.
Most of the core returns in now-junior QB Austin Holloway and the rest of his standout 2017 class Josh Sims (WR), Eric Stokes (RB), Micah Hart (LB) and Caleb Allen (DB).
Eastside has a new head coach in Troy Hoff. Hoff has been a coordinator with Eastside for a decade and now he’s the guy calling the shots.
Eastside can score with anybody. The Eagles scored 20 points or more in all of its games except one and they scored over 30 points five times.
The Eagles weakest link will be its defense, where they have some talent as well as youth. The Eagles gave up 21 points or more 10 times and more than 30 points four times. As prolific as Eastside’s offense is, Eastside’s defense has to improve to take the team past the second round, which is highly possible with this group.
Top guns:
*Last season’s stats.
QB: Austin Holloway (JR) 2,480 yards 18 TD
RB: Eric Stokes (JR) 318yds (5yards/attempt) 7 TD
WR: Josh Sims (JR) 53 catches 785 yards 4TD
DL: Lamarius Benson (Soph) 44 Tackles / 1 Forced Fumble / 2 Sacks
LB: Micah Hart (JR) 96 Tackles / 1 Sack / 1 Forced Fumble
DB: Caleb Allen (JR) 45 Tackles / 1 Sack / 6 Pass Breakups / 1 INT
KR/PR: Eric Stokes & Josh Sims
Projected award winners:
MVP: QB Austin Holloway (JR)
Most improved player: Caleb Allen (JR) CB / WR
Practice warrior: Garret Stevens (JR) LB
Defensive player to watch: Cody Mash (SR) LB / TE
Offensive player to watch: Austin Holloway (JR) QB
Breakout player: Josh Sims (JR) WR/DB
Projected starters on offense and defense:
*This is still in progress for Eastside, all starters not yet determined.
Offense
QB – Austin Holloway
RB – Eric Stokes
RB – Anthony Brown
WR – Josh Sims
WR – Jalani Baker
WR – Brayden Harper
TE – Cody Mash
OL – Ethan Galloway
OL – Chandler Sweat
OL – Will Shelton
Defense
LB – Cody Mash
LB – Micah Hart
LB – Garrett Stevens
CB – Caleb Allen
CB – Josh Sims
Safety – Andrew Henderson
Safety – Davin Griffieth
Safety – Dre Lott
DL – Tim Birt
DL – Brady Dial
DL – Lamarius Benson
DL – Cameron Gaither
Coaching Staff:
Troy Hoff – Head Coach / Offensive Line
Jay Cawthon – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Nathan Ogle – Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
Frankey Iverson – Wide Receivers / Video Coordinator
Chuck Jordan – Running Backs / Special Teams Coordinator
Anderico Bailey – Defensive Backs
Marcus Walls – Defensive Backs
Jamal Bruce – Defensive Line
Brett Miller – Tight Ends
Kurt Jordan – Assistant WR & Special Teams
Dr. Rene RileyMD, FAAOS - GA Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Dr. Ryan J. TomlinsMD, CAQ - GA Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Felisha Quist – Trainer
Schedule:
8/28 7:30 p.m.
Vs. Alcovy (Covington, GA)
9/4 7:30 p.m.
Vs. Madison County (Danielsville, GA)
9/11
Vs. Griffin (Griffin, GA)
9/17
@ Jonesboro (Jonesboro, GA)
9/26
Vs. Eagle's Landing (McDonough, GA)
10/9
@ Locust Grove (Locust Grove, GA)
10/16
Vs. Henry County (McDonough, GA)
10/23
7:30p
@ Hampton (Hampton, GA)
10/30
@ Walnut Grove (Walnut Grove, GA)
