Marion County expects to challenge for state title once again
This is the 15th in an 18-part series previewing football teams around the Bi-City. For a more in-depth look at the Eagles, go to ledger-enquirer.com/sports. Coming Monday: Kendrick.
By DAVID MITCHELL
dmitchell@ledger-enquirer.com
BUENA VISTA, Ga. -- When last we saw Marion County, it fell just short in a 15-13 loss to Hawkinsville in the Class A-public semifinals. The loss ended the Eagles 17-game winning streak, as well as their pursuit of a second straight state championship.
Eagles coach Mike Swaney didn't sugar coat it this week in practice -- the loss hurt. The players and coaches had a tough time watching Hawkinsville win the state title over Irwin County a week later, knowing how close they were to playing in it once again.
But after that, the Eagles put it out of their minds, turned their eyes to the future and refocused on the 2015 season, knowing that this year, as in the last two, they will be one of the top con
tenders for a state title.
"We've had the best offseason we've had since I've been the coach," said Swaney, who is entering his sixth year at the helm at Marion County.
"We got a lot of guys back and a lot of guys who realize that we were 2 or 3 yards away from going back to the state championship last year."
The most notable returnee is, of course, Lorenzo Smothers, who has been arguably Class A's best producer for the past two seasons. Last year, he totaled 34 touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams combined, and Swaney said he is stronger than ever and poised fora big year.
The rest of the offense around Smothers, who lines up at both wide receiver and running back, is mostly intact from a year ago.
One offensive lineman is gone, but the other four return.
Thousand-yard rusher Johnny Royal graduated, but last year's No. 2 runner Mykelle Kelley is back and will shoulder the load there.
The biggest change is at quarterback, where sophomore Quentez Battle will take over the huddle. He is replacing the graduated Dustin Eckert, who was remarkably efficient if not spectacular over the past two seasons. He tossed 40 touchdown passes and just 7 interceptions, leaving Swaney trying to find a way to replace his production.
"It's hard to replace someone who protects the ball like that," Swaney said.
But Battle has better athleticism and his smart. Swaney notes his lack of starting experience and said the offense was just a matter of getting him settled.
Defensively, the Eagles lost arguably their two best starters in Marquis Thomas, the top defensive back, and Derrick Lawrence, a versatile defender who played in the defensive backfield, at linebacker and at defensive end.
Still, Swaney said the majority is back and the unit is further ahead now than it was at this time last year.
"We've just got to get out there Friday night and see how they perform," he said.
Expectations, understandably, haven't changed for the Eagles. The goal is to win a region.
With power rankings determining playoffs in Class A, Swaney said it's vital to earn one of the top seeds via region title versus trying to earn home field advantage as an at-large team.
The region is difficult, as always. Dooly County returns plenty, Brookstone should be improved, Pacelli is ready to take the next step and Hawkinsville, of course, is the defending champion.
"The whole region is tough," Swaney said. "We figure if we get first in our region, we've got a chance to go a long way."
David Mitchell, Follow David on Twitter @leprepsports.
This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 10:54 PM with the headline "Marion County expects to challenge for state title once again ."