Football Preview Union Recorder 2020 | Page 44

HCHS Bulldogs looking to bounce back in ‘20 SPARTA, Ga. — Fifth-year head coach Marleau Blount has been busy trying to build a football program at a school known more for basketball. The Hancock Central High School Bulldogs seemed to be turning that corner last year when they earned a landmark victory against Aquinas, but it all disintegrated when it was found that the Sparta school fielded an ineligible player in multiple wins. Blount called the mishap “purely clerical” and unintentional since there was a mix-up as to where one of his players resided. The Bulldogs wound up forfeiting three wins, including the big one against Aquinas and finished 2019 at 2-8 well outside the playoff picture. “It was real unfortunate that the team had to pay for that,” said Blount. “I thought last year’s team was a really, really good group, so that really set us back a lot.” The HCHS head expects a bounce-back in 2020 due to one thing all football coaches covet — a big senior class. “This is my best senior group. I’ve been waiting on these guys to become seniors. This was my first ninth-grade JV group, and they went undefeated. Everything’s falling into place like I wanted it to. They’ve been getting their teammates to do workouts on their own to make sure they’re in some kind of shape when we do come back.” By GIL POUND That point Blount made about individual workouts is very important for Hancock Central because it was one of the few programs in the state that did not hold summer conditioning. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Sparta very hard, causing the tiny town’s situation to be covered by national news media. The school felt it was safer to have kids remain at home than have them come to campus and possibly spread the virus even more, so summer workouts did not happen. When The Union-Recorder spoke to Blount in late July, he said he was hoping to have his guys report the first week of August. Preseason scrimmages were canceled so the coaching staff could get more time with the players before hitting the field for real competition Sept. 4. The Bulldogs are expected to have between 40 and 50 players dress out this season with around 20 of them being those experienced seniors Blount referenced. Both the total roster and senior counts are very good for Class A programs like Hancock Central. “Our numbers are going up,” said Blount. “When I started as the head coach I wanted not just to put a team on the field, but to really build a legit program where kids could look forward to playing from the middle school to JV to varsity.” Among that senior group is two guys who already have a couple HER MAJESTY 1881 Hancock Courthouse Good Luck this SEASON to the Hancock Central High School Bulldogs and the John Hancock Academy Rebels Chairman Helen G. “Sistie” Hudson District 1 Commissioner Gloria Cooper District 2 Commissioner Steve Hill District 3 Commissioner Terrell Reid District 4 Commissioner Randolph Clayton Tax Commissioner Virginia Kendrick Sheriff Tomlyn T. Primus Clerk of Superior Court LeShauna R. Jackson Probate Judge Sabrina Lamar Chief Magistrate Judge Shirley R. Ingram Coroner Adrick Ingram BANK OF HANCOCK COUNTY 12855 Broad Street Sparta, GA 31087 (706) 444-5781 414632-1 “Have a great Season Hanock County Central High School and Go Mighty Bulldogs” 12630 Broad Street, Sparta GA 31087 • (706)444-5746 www.hancockcountyga.gov 416802-1 44 Football Preview 2020