Season Preview: Harrell, veteran defense anchor Blazers’ hopes

BACONTON — Four straight victories at the end of last season gave Baconton Charter confidence.

A veteran defense led by two-time Defensive Player of the Year Carson Harrell has the Blazers believing they can turn that confidence into their best season yet.

Head coach Jermaine King enters his fourth season with a program that finally has something it hasn’t enjoyed in years — stability.

Instead of learning another new system, returning players have spent the offseason refining the one they already know. The result, King said, has been a dramatic shift in the team’s culture.

“We’ve seen a big change,” King said. “We’ve had 42 kids out here working during the summer. And the kids are holding each other accountable to be at practice and to be focused on what we are doing — not just be here, but be here.”

That message has become the standard inside the program.

King said players are no longer simply showing up for workouts. They’re investing in one another, pushing teammates through offseason conditioning and spending extra time in the weight room.

“Our improvement in the weight room has been very significant,” King said. “The kids have been working hard, and they’ve spent a lot of time together.”

That chemistry could pay immediate dividends on defense.

King believes the Blazers return one of their deepest defensive units since he arrived, with most of last year’s starters back in the lineup.

At the center of it all is Harrell.

The standout linebacker has been named Baconton’s Defensive Player of the Year in each of the past two seasons and is expected to anchor the defense once again.

“I expect Carson to be there again,” King said. “He has a nose for the football.”

While the defense appears ahead of schedule, several offensive questions remain.

Quarterback is still the team’s most competitive position battle.

If the season opened today, King said Kayden Logue would get the starting nod, although Preston Hurst continues to make the decision difficult.

“Both of them are working hard and doing a good job,” King said. “Kayden is just a step ahead at the moment.”

Logue is also expected to handle the kicking and punting duties.

King believes running back Braylen Hundley could become one of the team’s biggest offensive weapons after an impressive offseason.

“Braylen has had the best offseason and made huge gains,” King said. “I’m looking forward to a big season from him.”

Perhaps the biggest key to the offense, however, won’t be in the backfield.

It will be up front.

King said Baconton’s emphasis on strength training was designed to improve offensive line play, and he’s looking for a group of six linemen who can develop chemistry before the opener.

“We’re looking for five starters and one guy who can rotate in,” King said. “If those guys can gel together, it’ll make a big difference in us moving the football.”

King also expanded his coaching staff by adding Ryan Manard as offensive line coach, Jay Tully to coach the receivers and Marcus Singletary to work with the running backs.

The Blazers will again play an independent schedule while continuing to build toward future region competition.

Baconton opens the season Aug. 21 at home against Southland Academy before traveling to neighboring Pelham for a rivalry game on Aug. 28. The schedule also includes perennial GIAA power Southwest Georgia Academy.

“We put some teams on our schedule that will push us,” King said. “We’re working toward being able to compete in the region.”

The Blazers also welcome eight freshmen to the varsity roster. King believes they’ll make an immediate impact because they already understand the system after coming through the middle school program under coach Zack Dallas.

“They know the schemes, the expectations and the terminology,” King said.

For King, that’s another sign the program is heading in the right direction.

Four years ago, Baconton Charter was trying to establish an identity.

Today, the Blazers believe they have one.

“I’m looking forward to our best year yet,” King said. “The kids are really buying into what we’re teaching, and good things are coming.”