KATHLEEN, Ga. — It was a rough season for the Veterans football team last season.
Due to injury, the team featured over four different quarterbacks and rotated starters all over the team. Ultimately the team finished 3-7 and didn’t win one region game.
“I’ve never seen a year where we had so many key injuries,” Warhawks head coach Josh Ingram said. “...Within two days, we’re down to our third string quarterback and it just seemed to snowball after that.”
Ingram said the team has worked with their strength and conditioning coach to hopefully prevent these injuries. However, he added they learned to focus on what they can control and to always be ready if someone does go down.
Here’s a full preview of the Veterans High School football season
Offense
With All-State quarterback Jake Maxwell out the door, Ingram is handing the keys to Brooks Masters.
He said that his new starter will be key in running their RPO and run-heavy system. He praised Masters as a tough runner and his overall leadership.
Ingram did note that the team has two freshman quarterbacks that are seeing significant reps.
Rowan Singleton and Trey Byrd have been working with the team since January, and the head coach says he is excited for what they’ll bring to the team.
Alongside senior running back Justin Shine — who led the team in rushing last season with 188 yards and one touchdown — is sophomore running back Tylan Glover, who Ingram said he’ll also be featured in the offense this upcoming season.
"Both have had an unbelievable off season, both are on our leadership council, both are going to make plays of Friday nights and both are going to share that load," he said.
The other test the Warhawks face coming into this season is replacing wide receiver Preston Bird, who was arguably their best player. He led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns with 560 yards and seven touchdowns, respectively.
“We don’t have a Preston Bird, and it’s hard to find a Preston Bird, but he’s leaving his impact on this receiving core,” Ingram said.
Ingram said two players he has big hopes for are junior Mouhamadou Mane and senior Aaron Evans. He noted how shifty and fast Evans is and how tall and athletic Mane is.
Mane’s size helped him receive a Georgia Tech offer earlier in his career. While he hasn’t played much, Ingram hopes things can come together for the young wide receiver.
The offensive line is led by senior interior offensive lineman Jadin Spano, who’s joined on the interior by fellow senior Michele Asaro and junior Idris Evans. Ingram, a former offensive line coach, said he was very excited about sophomore left tackle Jaden Durham, who he said stands near 6-foot-5, which is a size the team hasn’t had for a while.
“We’re starting to get some big bodies up front,” Ingram said. “(They’re) probably the hardest working group on the team…We push them pretty tough everyday. We’ll go as far as they'll let us go. With our scheme this year and what we’re trying to do, they’re gonna have to play at a high level every Friday night.”
Defense
While the offensive side of the ball has had several changes, the defense, Ingram said, is the most experienced group on the team. However, they have had to adjust to their third new defensive coordinator in three years.
The defensive line, led by two-year starters and seniors Judd Perdue and Brian Williams, have big expectations on their shoulders. Ingram said the team leans a lot on their leadership and abilities.
Kane Byrd, who also spent time on the defensive line last year, is shifting over to be a primary pass rusher off the edge. He had the second most tackles on the team last year with 58 and led the team in tackles for a loss and sacks with 14 and seven, respectively. Ingram said he has big expectations for their weak-side pass rusher.
"He's a strong, physical kid," he said. "We're trying to use his athleticism and how strong he is to create one-on-one matchups. We're excited about him... He's gonna really take off with some stats because of what he does specific to his position.
Ingram also praised his two new inside linebackers, who he said, out of his time with Veterans, are some of the strongest inside linebackers he’s seen. Lincoln Goode and Hudson Warden were called “best friends,” by Ingram based on how well they work together.
Warden is one of the few returning starters from last season and was tied for second on the team with two sacks and finished fourth behind Byrd, Williams and Perdue with three tackles for a loss. However, unlike that group of returnees, he was only a second year.
Since transitioning from outside to inside linebacker, Ingram has loved what he continues to bring to the team.
“Ideally, you’re not playing a ton of freshmen and sophomores, but Hudson, we call him Huddy, he was one of the guys,” Ingram said. “He flies around in that box and he’s done a really good job learning the defense, learning the fits, getting us lined up… He makes us go on defense. We’re excited about his athleticism and what both inside linebackers have shown us so far.”
Ingram said these players will likely see some time on offense as primary blockers for various run players. However, he did say Warden could see some time in the backfield as a wildcat quarterback.
While the front seven has a ton of experience, Ingram did say that the defensive backs, which lost multiple starters including Northern Illinois commit Antonio “Tone” Scott.
While inexperienced, he’s really excited about the height and length of his junior defensive backs, like LJ Morton, Christian Askew, Northside transfer Derek Ingram and Ricky Houser.
"All the guys in the secondary have the ability, the size, the athleticism to play at the next level," Ingram said. "I'm just excited to see how they grow up. How do they handle adversity."
Schedule Breakdown
The Warhawks will take on one of the toughest schedules in the state of Georgia this season. They face fellow Houston County programs like Warner Robins, Houston County, Northside and Perry, the latter of whom won a state championship last year.
They’ll also play strong programs like Coffee, Lee County, Jones County and Statesboro. However, Ingram said he and his team are ready for the challenge.
“I’m excited about the schedule,” Ingram said. “I know it’s hard, I know it’s difficult, (but) I believe in our kids, I believe in our coaches. I want people talking about Veterans, even if they’re saying that’s one of the toughest schedules in the state. How awesome would it be, you go and do well and now you’re on people's radar.”
Veterans Full 2024 Schedule
* indicates a region game
Aug. 16 - @ Jones County
Aug. 23 - @ Statesboro
Aug. 30 - @ Starr’s Mill
Sept. 13 - vs Perry
Sept. 20 - @ Warner Robins
Sept. 27 - vs Houston County*
Oct. 4 - @ Thomas County Central*
Oct. 18 - vs Lee County*
Oct. 25 - @ Coffee*
Nov. 1 - vs Northside*