SCOUTING REPORT : by William Huff | photos : file
Syrupmakers rebuilding in Coleman ’ s second season
CAIRO SYRUPMAKERS
Region 1-4A
SCOUTING REPORT : by William Huff | photos : file
Syrupmakers rebuilding in Coleman ’ s second season
CAIRO — As the Syrupmakers prepare for their second season under head coach David Coleman , they face the same pros and cons that most programs face in year two . In his second year , Coleman has much more time to prepare . Last season , he was brought in to take over Cairo ’ s football program in June and had little time to prep before the season started . This season Cairo has had a productive and , more importantly , a full summer to work out any kinks in their play and iron out any wrinkles .
“ I think with coach David Coleman and his staff having a full year to prepare this year will make a huge difference as well ,” said the voice of the Syrupmakers , Michael Best .
“ Last year was so rushed with Coach Coleman coming in during June and having to put a staff and plan together in a hurry .”
But with pros also come cons . Cairo is losing several big playmakers and will be introducing a new quarterback . While Coleman has not said who will be slotted into the starting role , a safe bet would be senior Juderek Gee-Simmons . Simmons transferred to Cairo from Mitchell County , where he was a solid quarterback for the Eagles last year . In one stretch of four games , Simmons threw for 202 yards and one passing touchdown .
However , Simmons appears to be a solid duel threat quarterback , sometimes preferring to use his legs as evidenced by his four rushing touchdowns in that same four-game stretch .
Cairo will also be losing several skill players like wide receiver Tyree Kelly . Kelly had 34 receptions last season for 624 yards and 9 touchdowns .
Cairo wide receiver Cam Brown ( 18 ) runs the ball during a game last season .
The Syrupmakers will also lose a fair amount of production in the backfield after losing Amarion Bryden , who rushed for 395 yards last season , to graduation .
One player that Cairo can look to to filled the need in the ground game is Josh Jones . Jones is a rising junior and has a phenomenal sophomore season with 491 yards on 118 rushing attempts and averaging 4.2 yards a carry . This came after a freshman season that didn ’ t see Jones take the field much . He played in just one game his freshman season netting 32 yards rushing . With the massive improvement he appeared to make from his freshman to sophomore year , it will be very exciting to see what improvements Jones has made leading into his junior year .
Cairo ’ s schedule is also a favorable one as they start at home with a pair of non-region games and then have a stretch of four home games in a row leading into region play . Coach Coleman , however , is not allowing his team to over look anyone . Coleman is favoring a philosophy of one game at a time . Choosing to focus on each game and a “ go 1-0 ” mentality rather than looking at the season as a whole . Though , the home games are a plus .
“ We like playing at home . There ’ s no place like Cairo , Georgia and Cairo football ,” Coleman said .
The Syrupmakers will open with
14 2023 SOUTH GEORGIA FOOTBALL