Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Tim Morse

SYLVESTER — Things have been different at Worth County High School during the past three seasons.

As far as football is concerned, that is.

After struggling during the early part of the decade, the Rams have made back-to-back appearances in the state playoffs. Worth County now expects to compete for region titles and make the postseason. It’s not arrogance, it’s just that head coach Jason Tone and his staff have brought a level of confidence to the program that seemed to be missing.

In fact, when they Rams made the five-hour trek last November to play at national power Buford, most didn’t believe the team would stay on the field with the mighty Wolves — most except for the Worth County players.

“That was the first time we had been that far in the playoffs in a while,” senior offensive tackle Bryan Manuel said. “We wanted to do more.”

Worth lost, 42-0, ending its season. But it didn’t stop the positive steps the Rams have taken since Tone’s arrival. The Buford loss came after the program recorded an impressive 35-0 rout of Locust Grove in the first round.

The Rams believe they are building a program that continues to improve each season. But Tone isn’t taking all the credit.

“We’ve got a good staff here, and we’ve hired a lot of good people,” said Tone, who is entering his fourth season. “This is Year 4, so these kids who are seniors have done the exact same thing for four years now. They know what to expect in the weight room, practice and in games. That’s why they are disappointed when we don’t live up to the standards we’ve set over the last few years.”

The Rams do have some holes to fill, especially on the defensive side, where only two starters are back. Worth will be looking for a lot of younger players to step forward.

The situation is much better on offense. The Rams will be breaking in a new quarterback, but whoever wins the competition will have an experienced offensive front to lead the way. Four senior starters — guard Ryan Alligood, Manuel, center Jeremiah Motin and tight end Lee Little — all return.

Running back Chris McDaniel is back after a promising junior season. McDaniel will be the leader in what should be another brutal ground attack.

Wide receiver Ja’Kwaveon Thomas also returns.

Even though the Rams defeated Crisp County twice last season (once in regular season and in the region playoffs), Tone knows the talented Cougars return most of their players from a young squad and should be one of the teams to beat in the new Region 1-AAA. He also expects Monroe, Cook and Dougherty to be strong.

But he hopes his team will continue to build on the foundation he and his staff have started.

“The mindset has changed,” he said. “They expect to win and compete. They are disappointed when we don’t win. That’s a good thing. Anytime you go out there expecting to win, you’ve got a chance.”

Which is a good reason the Rams feel good about the direction the program is heading.

—————

WORTH COUNTY RAMS

• REGION: GHSA 1-AAA

• 2015 RECORD: 8-4

• COACH: Jason Tone (fourth season)

• RETURNING STARTERS: WR Ja’Kwaveon Thomas (Sr.); RB Chris McDaniel (Sr.); G Ryan Alligood (Sr.); T Bryan Manuel (Sr.); C Jeremiah Motin (Sr.); TE Lee Little (Sr.); OLB Akenyon Bagley (Sr.); CB Justin Hamilton (Sr.); K/P Seth Souter (Sr.)

• TOP NEWCOMERS: S Chavis Marshall (Sr.); RB Horace Everson (Sr.); NG Brandon Toomer (Sr.)

• 2016 SCHEDULE:

Aug. 19 — at Thomas County Central

Aug. 26 — at Turner County

Sept. 2 — Veterans

Sept. 9 — Early County

Sept. 16 — at Thomasville

Sept. 30 — Harris County

Oct. 7 — at Cook

Oct. 21 — Dougherty

Oct. 28 — at Monroe

Nov. 4 — Crisp County