Last year, Putnam County High School (PCHS) football enjoyed one of the best seasons in its long-and-storied history.
In Shaun Pope’s fourth season at the helm, the War Eagles went 12-1 overall, tying a program record for most wins in a single season. The last time it occurred was 1996, when the legendary Al Reaves was head coach.
The War Eagles also captured the GHSA Region 4-AA title and made a deep playoff run. However, the eventual state-champion Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes bested Putnam County at home during the Elite Eight round of Class AA playoffs.
Now, the War Eagles will again try to make it back to the state playoffs, despite losing a key number of contributors from last year’s squad. PCHS has been training hard in the offseason, in both the weight room and on the field, for its upcoming schedule, beginning Aug. 26, at home against Baldwin.
“Well, after losing a really good group of seniors last year, we were concerned or looking to see who was going to step up,” Pope said. “You know, we’ve got some talented guys coming back, but we were really looking for some leaders. It was more like (this group) really gelled together. It was more than just one or two guys.”
Pope acknowledged it was rising senior Jalon Kilgore who stepped up first. The South Carolina verbal commit became a ‘vocal leader’ during off-season workouts.
Kilgore’s efforts caused other rising seniors such as DJ Bland and Tamarion Peters to follow in his footsteps. The trio led the way through the spring and summer.
“It kind of just matured in its own right as far as the whole group; everybody came together,” Pope said. “We had a great spring. The summer’s been going well with our older guys. Our upcoming rising ninth graders, we have a good little group of them.”
Keeping up the offensive rhythm
Despite losing starters Gerald Kilgore, Cedrion Brundage, and Malik Thornton from a season ago, PCHS returns plenty of skill players on the offensive side of the ball.
The trio of Kilgore, Peters and Bland will be the highlight of the War Eagles’ offense in 2022. Keywon Blue, Rashod Daniel, Brayon Farley and Cory Foster also are primed to take on bigger roles this upcoming season.
Pope pointed out he’s excited to see Bland continue to thrive on the field at wide receiver.
“DJ’s a really explosive player,” he said. “He’s a hard worker and also starts at cornerback. DJ’s going into his senior season as a three-and-a-half year starter for us.
We are going to rely on him a lot. He’s also our punter. He does it all for us.”
The fifth-year Putnam County head coach also expects great things out of Blue, stating he will play a huge part in the War Eagles’ offense at wide receiver.
Blue was the War Eagles’ fourth-leading receiver last season behind Jalon Kilgore (921 yards, 11 TDs), Malik Thornton (343 yards, four TDs), and Bland (316 yards, four TDs).
Blue hauled in 15 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns. They also return Farley and Kaleb Crawford as pass catchers. Pope is certain there won’t be a drop-off in production at the wideout position this upcoming season.
“All of those guys are returning and very talented,” Pope said. “They played a lot last year. They all weren’t in starting roles, but they all played a lot and got experience.”
As far as running backs go, Peters will be the most experienced. He rushed for 463 yards on 58 attempts, averaging 8.7 yards per carry last season. He also scored 10 touchdowns.
Pope expressed he’s ready to see the duo of Peters and Daniel run through defenses in 2022.
“Tamarion (Peters) saw a lot of action last year. Rashod (Daniel) saw some action for us at running back, but was a starter for us at linebacker,” Pope said. “Those guys are going to tote the load for us at running back (this year). Then we also have rising sophomore Cory Foster, who is going to get some for us back there.”
Overall, from a skill player standpoint, Pope expects the War Eagles’ offense to take another step forward in terms of production and finding a way to stay in a rhythm.
“We’re excited about our skill guys,” Pope said. "Branan (Griffin) also had a really good spring. He’s getting better and better at quarterback. There are always concerns about starting a rising freshman, but he’s come in, stepped up, and has held his own. The guys believe in him (based on) what they saw in him during the spring and summer. We’re just looking forward to it and are excited about the season.”
Defensive replacements
Putnam had one of the best defenses in Class AA last season. The War Eagles’ defense limited opponents in 2021 to an average of just 11.43 points per contest. The PCHS defense posted three shutouts and held four teams to under 10 points last year.
However, the War Eagles must replace quite a few starters from last season’s squad. Pope explained the losses of Thornton at cornerback and Zac Mitchell at safety will hurt, although he feels like there are several players that can step up in their places.
“Now, Brayon (Farley) is going to roll into that corner position,” he said.
“He played a ton on defense for us last year. He even started some games for us. We feel pretty solid about him. Right now, we’re still looking for a safety. Kaleb (Crawford) is really coming on at that position. He had a really good spring for us.”
Due to an injury, Crawford will miss time early this season, but Pope expects to get him back by region play. Armon Webster, a rising senior, is another player that could fill in and play safety, he said.
“After that, it’s kind of by committee. We’re looking forward to seeing who can step during fall camp,” Pope added.
Putnam County returns a strong linebacking core that is poised to be one of the best in its region. The trio of Peters, Daniel and Seth Boyer returns for the War Eagles this year.
“We feel pretty strong about our linebackers,” Pope said. “Rashod (Daniel) ended up being a starter for us at the end of last year. He’s all back.
So, our starting core of linebackers is pretty much returning, but we’re still working to develop some depth there.”
PCHS will have to replace Michael Crumbley, Unique Reid and Jamarcus Evans on the defensive line.
That trio combined for 14 sacks last season, with Crumbley and Reid leading the War Eagles in tackles for loss last year at 11.0 and 8.0, respectively.
However, a bright spot for Putnam County is bringing back Detravious “Tra” Smith, who racked up 48 total tackles and 7.0 tackles for loss in 2021.
The rising senior also totaled seven sacks and seven tackles for loss last season.
“Tra (Smith) is back. Zacoree Wallace is also back,” Pope said. “Blake Tiller, who played a lot as a ninth-grader last year, returns. We don’t have that big 295-pound defensive tackle that we had in Crumbley, who was very athletic. But the guys we’re going to be playing are around 240 to 250 (pounds) and are just as athletic. If I am being honest, they may be a tad bit stronger. So, we feel good about them.”
The Putnam County War Eagles open their 2022 season on Aug. 26, at home against Baldwin High.