Worth County: Defending champs searching for new leaders

SYLVESTER — Jeff Hammond didn’t look like a coach coming off a state championship season.

As Worth County players gathered Tuesday for preseason picture day, Hammond walked off the practice field frustrated after what he described as one of the worst practices he has seen in years.

“We are either going to be very good or very bad,” the Rams coach said. “I’m not sure which yet.”

It was an unusually candid assessment from a coach whose team rarely had an off day a year ago.

Worth County finished 15-0, captured the GHSA Class A Division I state championship and established itself as one of the state’s most disciplined teams. Hammond said the Rams had only a couple of poor practices all season.

“We had maybe two bad practices all year last year,” he said. “But we didn’t have anything like today.”

The contrast illustrates the challenge facing Worth County as it begins the defense of its title.

The Rams graduated 21 seniors from last year’s championship team, taking with them not only experience but the leadership that set the standard every day in practice.

Hammond isn’t questioning whether his team has enough talent.

He’s waiting to see whether someone is ready to lead.

“I’ve got players who can step into those positions if they’re willing,” Hammond said. “I’m waiting on the seniors to step up.”

That question becomes even more important this season.

After winning the Class A Division I championship, Worth County moves into Class AAA and one of Georgia’s toughest regions. The new alignment includes defending Class AA state champion Carver-Columbus and Class AA runner-up Sumter County, giving the Rams little time to grow into a new identity.

Fortunately for Hammond, the calendar offers one small break.

The GHSA added an extra week before the regular season begins, allowing teams additional preseason practice time.

“I’m happy the GHSA has given us another week because we can sure use it,” Hammond said.

Worth County will spend part of that extra week facing one of Georgia’s traditional powers when the Rams travel to Valdosta on Aug. 7 for a preseason scrimmage against the Class 7A Wildcats.

For Hammond, the scrimmage isn’t simply about evaluating depth charts or polishing assignments.

It’s about discovering whether the next generation of Rams is ready to match the commitment that fueled one of the greatest seasons in school history.

The talent, he believes, is there.

Whether the leadership is, remains the question.