BRONCOS
STORY BY JAKE WINFREY
Chris Moss is right
back where he wants
to be.
After a break from the game,
Moss was hired back in January
to take over Holly Pond’s
football program following the
departure of longtime coach
Mike Bates.
Moss coached at Good Hope
from 2005-14, accumulating
a 48-58 record during
that stretch while guiding
the Raiders to five playoff
appearances and a region
championship.
To say he’s happy to
return to the sideline is an
understatement.
“It’s good to be back out
here,” Moss said. “Being
around these guys ... they all
work hard, and I hope we can
have an influence on their lives.
I know everything is up in the
air, but their expectations are
to play. I hope and pray every
day that these kids can play.
I enjoy working with them.
I enjoy what I do. But it’s all
about them.”
The Broncos won 21 games
and reached the playoffs three
times during Bates’ final four
seasons.
Moss is hoping to have
similar success, but there are
challenges that await entering
the 2020 campaign.
SCHEDULE
Holly Pond is coming off a
Aug. 28: Cold Springs
2-8 season and won’t have the
Sept. 4: at Oakman*
roster size of a traditional Class
Sept. 11: J.B. Pennington*
3A school.
Sept. 18: at Carbon Hill*
Add that to the obstacles
Sept. 25: BYE
Oct. 2: Tarrant*
posed by the COVID-19
Oct. 9: at Winfield*
outbreak, and it’s been a busy
Oct. 16: at Susan Moore*
— and different — offseason.
Oct. 23: Vinemont*
“That’s all a concern,” Moss
Oct. 30: at Fairview
said. “Because of our numbers,
*Class 3A, Region 6 Game
we’ve got to be in shape.
We’ve got to do things during
practice at a high level. I told
some of them they’ll never
come off the field. As far as COVID goes, that’s going to
be an issue, because we’ve never dealt with that before.
All the coaches around the state, though, will do what’s
necessary to keep our kids safe. We try our best to get
our kids in the safest environment, COVID or not.
That’s something we’ve always done.”
OFFENSE
The Broncos must fill a glaring hole on the offensive
side of the ball.
Kyler Chaney, the reigning All-County Overall MVP,
is gone following three superb years as Holly Pond’s
starting quarterback.
“Anytime you lose someone like that, it’s
tough to replace him, and it might be hard
to replicate,” Moss said. “They ran the
offense he was suited for. We’re
doing something a little different
offensively as to not put as much
pressure on the quarterback.”
Landon Perkins and
Austin Marsh are expected
to compete for playing
time under center.
42 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW