Russell County seeks to break out in Dwight Jones’ second year

Looking back at last year’s 1-9 season, new Russell County quarterback Gary Johnson offered his thoughts on what exactly went wrong.

“Last year, the biggest reason was people were slacking off and everybody had the mentality to lose,” Johnson said. “We’re trying to change that right now.”

The 2016 season was a tough debut to Dwight Jones’ second stint as Warriors head coach. Russell County was held to 14 points or fewer in seven of its 10 games and suffered a pair of one-point losses. The lone victory left the program with a 1-29 record over the past three seasons.

But Jones understands the task he’s taken on. A veteran head coach with stints at area schools Hardaway, Northside, Harris County and Auburn, Jones knew his return to the Warriors was a rebuild that wouldn’t happen overnight.

Entering his second year, Jones said he is happy with the progress he’s seen.

“I like the attitude. We’ve had a good summer weight program like most people have,” Jones said. “They know us 1,000 times better than they did last year, and we know them. They know what to expect from us and the tempo of practice. They know we’re going to make them work hard. Our guys last year laid the foundation, and now these guys are building on that foundation.”

Part of the retooling for 2017 involved Jones moving Johnson from free safety to quarterback for his senior year. Johnson said Jones told him of his plans at the end of his junior year, leaving him excited ever since.

Johnson has had to adjust to the rigors of playing quarterback, but he said the change has been a fun one. It also helps that he’s got an experienced coach behind him to settle him into the new role.

“I wish I could go four more years with him,” Johnson said. “He’s the best coach I’ve ever had. He stays on me. He’s got high expectations for me, and I’ve got to play up to those expectations.”

Johnson spoke of the team’s lack of confidence one year ago, something senior defensive end Simeon Hill also hit on. Jones has been establishing his motto of “holding the rope” — that is, holding up your teammates and not slacking off to their detriment.

In Johnson’s eyes, the Warriors’ grip on that rope is much tighter in Year 2.

“The whole team has been buying in,” Hill said. “We’re just looking good as a team. Hopefully, we can put together some wins this season.”

Jones has players like Johnson and Hill believing Russell County can break out of its recent funk and contend in 2017. Though time soon will tell if the Warriors follow through, that outlook has Johnson anxious to suit up.

“I’m just ready for the first game. I’ve been counting down the days since we played the spring game,” Johnson said. “I want to go out with a big season and surprise a lot of people.”

2017 Schedule

This story was originally published August 19, 2017 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Russell County seeks to break out in Dwight Jones’ second year."