of college offers in hand with more expected. Running back Keveon
Robbins and linebacker/defensive end Marquavious Lawrence both hold
offers from Stetson University and Southeastern Missouri State University.
Robbins heads up a backfield group filled with three- and four-year
starters in Coach Blount’s spread attack. Jaylon Hatcher will take the
snaps behind a mostly returning offensive line, and he has no shortage of
weapons to get the ball to, starting with Robbins and senior Queontavious
Ivey.
“He’s been a great defensive player since he was a freshman, but we
found out last year he can run the ball,” Blount said of Ivey. “The only
reason Robbins didn’t get 1,000 yards was because Ivey shared the load.
We had a pretty good tandem back there.”
Moving toward the outside of the offense, senior Jamal
Taylor is a name many will recall from Hancock’s basketball
state championship run last winter. He led
the Bulldogs to a 28-3 overall record on their way
to the school’s first hoops title since 2008 and will
play slot back out on the football field.
“Nobody could stay in front of him with a basketball,
so we’re going to get the ball out to him
in space and let him make a whole bunch of
plays,” the HCHS head coach said.
Blount said he has the guys to fill the
two vacancies on his offensive line, so
the only question mark on offense lies
with the outside receivers. The group has
size but needs to improve their ball skills
according to the head coach.
Defensively the Bulldogs have
seven starters back including
Lawrence who burst onto the
scene last year. Blount feels
good about that side of
the football since the
team played some 2019
games without a defensive
senior due to injuries.
He did acknowledge
that some work
needs to be done in the
secondary, though.
Following GHSA’s regular realignment, Hancock’s
region has decreased from recent years, but still features
familiar names. GMC Prep and Warren County remain on
the slate, while Wilkinson County, who was in the opposite
sub-region from HCHS last year, moves in. Crawford County
is a newcomer to the group in the first year without GHSA
power ratings in a while. Public and private schools have
been split into their own divisions full-time, so postseason
berths and seeding will be determined in the
more traditional method based on region records.
Warren made a deep run into the postseason a
year ago and looks to be the team to beat. A lot
of weight will likely be placed on the Oct. 16
game between Hancock Central and Warren,
which is set to take place in Warrenton.
Blount said his philosophy has not changed
from past seasons.
“One game at a time, same as it’s been
these last few years. Right now I just want to
see my guys and get them back out on the field
for something close to normal.”
The Bulldogs are scheduled to kick off their
season Sept. 4 at Macon County with region play set to
begin Oct. 2 versus GMC Prep in Sparta.
“One game at a time,
same as it’s been
these last few
- Coach Blount
years.”
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Football Preview 2020