The Gatewood Gators will travel to Athens Christian this Friday for a preseason scrimmage.
Head coach Jeff Ratliff hopes to iron out any last-minute kinks before the regular season starts one week later at Flint River Academy in Woodbury.
Before practice at home in Eatonton last Friday night, Ratliff said he’s not sure what to expect when he gets to Athens since the Eagles have a new coach who is still trying to reach a full roster.
Regardless, Ratliff said he and the ACS coach had agreed to use a controlled scrimmage template and rotate between offense and defense every 10 plays, regardless of what’s happening on the field.
“We’re going to try to get in about 120 plays, but if we get at least 100 snaps, I’ll be happy. So, hopefully, we’ll have it six times on offense and six times on defense, and we’ll see what happens,” Ratliff said. “It gives our guys somebody different to go up against and hit, and it gives the coaches a little more control instead of always worrying about what down it is and how far we have to go.
"And if one team is dominating, you just start over. You can treat the next play however you want to. You can say it’s first and 10 again, or it’s third and whatever; it just gives you a little more control over what your guys are going to do.”
While happy to have one last opportunity to fine-tune his team, Ratliff said he’s already more focused on the season opener, when the Gators will go up against the 2023 GIAA Class A championship-winning Wildcats.
“They had a really good team last year, and they’ve got a lot of those guys back. So, their coach (Kirk Hoffmann) called me because he was having trouble scheduling some games, and I needed an opener, so we worked it out,” Ratliff said. “But usually, when teams call you, they feel good about what they’ve got. So, I don’t know what we’re getting into there. But I know they had a good year; they beat just about everybody, so it should be a good test.”
Gatewood reached the GIAA Class AA state final in December, but lost a 16-10 heartbreaker to Edmund Burke Academy. Following that game, the team lost some senior firepower, including star linebacker and running back Evan Bennett, who signed with North Carolina. The Gators also lost defensive powerhouses Luke McNeill, Lawson Wooten, and reliable kicker Jayden Daniel.
Regardless, Ratliff said he expects several returning players will step up their games to fill the voids this season.
“Ames (Johnson) is back as our starting quarterback, and he’s a tremendous athlete,” Ratliff stated. “So, we need him to have a good year for us to have a good year. There’s no doubt. I expect him to lead us, and I expect him to perform. I’m not worried at all there.”
The coach also mentioned Hunter Johnson, who filled in for Bennett as running back when he was sidelined by injury for a few games last season, and his brother Tanner Johnson, who will play as wide receiver.
“Hunter did an outstanding job and developed into a great running back. He was already a great DB, so I’m expecting a lot out of him again. And he’s put on some weight but hasn’t lost even a step on his speed,” Ratliff observed. “And there’s our big lineman, Blake Daniel. He’ll play left tackle for me and play nose tackle. I need Blake to be dominant, and I think he can be. He’s had a good summer offseason, and is off to a good start so far. And Blake brings the experience. He started as a sophomore, and then last year, he just got better and better. He’s going to be the leader out there.”
Additionally, Ratliff mentioned Ben Brannen as the fastest player on the team, Jackson Hewatt for his ball-carrying ability, Mason Sinclair for his versatility on both sides of the ball, and called Gage Rainey “probably my best defensive lineman.”
Ratliff acknowledged he’s no doubt leaving someone out who deserves recognition but stressed he’s happy with what he’s seen so far and feels the Gators should enjoy a good season in 2024.
“Hopefully, those first five games are going to prepare us for the next five,” he said. “And by then, I hope they’re all playing at their very, very best. Because that’s what it takes.”