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PREP BASEBALL: New-look Redskins aim to be competitive this spring
Social Circle enters 2020 season with a new head coach and fresh faces abound
Social Circle Baseball
Junior Jacob Bergman and the Social Circle Redskins will try to navigate their way to a successful season under the leadership of first-year head coach Kevin Dawkins this spring. - photo by Brett Fowler

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. —  With a new head coach and some new faces coming through the program, Social Circle baseball is in a major transition phase heading into the 2020 season.

The Redskins have made the Elite Eight the past two years in a row, but six seniors graduated from last year's club and just four starters return in 2020. Social Circle also lost its head coach when hall of famer Danny Blue retired, opening the door for former Rockdale County head coach Kevin Dawkins to take over the reins.

“Outside of losing six seniors, I think the biggest change from last season is having a new coaching staff,” Dawkins said. “Coach Blue is a Hall of Fame coach and coaches like that will always be hard to replace, but we have been working hard since August trying to install our own philosophy and system so that our guys have ample time to get acclimated and bought in to what we are trying to accomplish.”

So far, Dawkins is happy with the buy-in from his players.

“All of our guys who were not playing a fall sport were in the weight room on a daily basis getting stronger and working on the little things that would help them grow as a baseball player,” he said.

Dawkins will rely heavily on his returning starters to lead the way. Dylan Hawley, Jason Ball, Brady Head and Gabe Jones all return this season. But there’s a crop of young talent that includes Logan Cross, Mason Moore, Mason Allen and Mitchell McCullough.

“Dylan Hawley is one of the first players that comes to mind when thinking of someone that will play a big role on our team this year,” Dawkins said. “Being a returning starter and slotted to bat in the middle of our lineup, Dylan provides the power potential that we will need throughout the season.

“Brady Head and Jason Ball are two guys that will be leaned on heavily, not only on the mound, but also in the field. Mason Moore, a freshman, as a chance to come in and make a big impact, not only in the lineup, but also behind the plate.”

Social Circle will begin the 2020 season on Friday, Feb. 14, at home against Newton High School.