The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850, 71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
tjournal@alltel.net

   The Marion County High School football program will begin a new era when the 2006 season kicks off. The Eagles have a new head coach, Calvin Aldridge, and will also be the school’s first team since it was renamed from “Tri-County High.”
   Coach Aldridge inherits a very young team (only four seniors) and a program that has struggled to build a winning tradition since it was founded in 1976. Tri-County’s overall record since then is 97 wins, 200 losses and 5 ties, with a total of five winning seasons (1979 - 9-1, 1984 - 6-4, 1986 - 6-4, 1993 - 5-4-1, 2004 - 6-4).
However, the new coach likes the chances the current nest-full of eagles has of starting something special.
   “We only have a few seniors, but they’re all good, and we have really strong junior and sophomore classes,” he said. “The freshmen class looks pretty good, too, and even the talent at the middle school level is looking good.”
   He added, “I hate to say that ‘youth’ is our strength, but this definitely looks like something we can build with. We will return 50 kids next year, plus pick-up some newcomers. I think this year’s seniors can help us build a foundation and lead us into the future.”
   He’s also quick to point out that he’s not writing off this year’s season by any means.
   “I think offensively, we’ll have something the fans will like to see, and I think we’ll be competent on defense,” said Coach Aldridge.
   The Eagles are in the tough Region 5-AA, which includes Heard County, Manchester, Macon County and Lamar County.
   “It’s like we’re playing up a classification, because we’re in Class AA and the school is basically small enough to be Class A,” noted Aldridge, before adding, “But I don’t think our kids will run from the challenge. We’ll play hard, compete, and it will help us get better.”
    There are 49 players on this year’s team, which is a pretty large total considering the small senior class of players. There are four seniors, 11 juniors, 18 sophomores, and 16 freshmen.
   Tramayne Wilson, junior, will lead the offense at quarterback. Wilson started at the lead offensive position as a sophomore in some games last season. He will lead the team’s “West Coast Offense” that will run a range of power sets to spread the defense out. Coach Aldridge says fans can expect a combination of power and finesse on the offensive side of the ball.
   Other players expected to lead the team – or as Coach Aldridge would say “other horses” – include:
   * Kendrick Reeves, a sophomore running back (6’1”, 260), who is expected to have a great year at the fullback position. Coach Aldridge describes him as a “tough football player,” and noted that coaches from Georgia Southern University will probably be keeping an eye on him. Reeves saw a lot of playing time last year as a freshman, but mostly on defense.
   * Trent Mathews (6’ 2”, 375) and Billy McMurray (6’ 2”, 349), both sophomores, are expected to open up holes and protect the quarterback well as the anchors of the offensive line. Both players obviously have good size, but they also move well for big men. Mathews battled back from an injury early last year to earn a starting role.
   * Sophomore Harold McCarthy (5’ 10”, 175) is a good, smart player, who will be the “voice of the defense” from his linebacker position.
   * Larico Dixon, junior (5’ 10”, 175) is a “really quick” linebacker.
   * Senior Jonathan Thomas (6’ 4”, 245) will be called on to play on both sides of the ball as a defensive end and offensive lineman.
   * Mike Jones, junior (5’ 10”, 160), is one of the team’s hardest workers and will be a key running back.
   Other players with significant varsity playing experience include: Robert McKenzie, junior defensive lineman, who started some as a sophomore; Jonathan Banks, senior defensive lineman, a returning starter who is moving to the defensive side of the ball this year; junior receivers Randall Alexander and D.J. Lemons; and senior offensive lineman James Royal.
   Coach Aldridge said he’s pleased with the hard effort his players have been giving in practice. He’s also pleased with the help he’s getting from his assistant coaches.
   “The coach staff has done a great job adjusting to the change,” he said. “I’m very fortunate to have good people.”
   The Eagles will host Schley County High in a preseason scrimmage this Friday, August 25 at 7:30. The following Friday, Sept. 1, they will host Chattahoochee County in the first official game of the season, also at 7:30 p.m.
   “I hope the community comes out and supports this team,” said Coach Aldridge. “The kids have worked very hard. … I’d also like to thank everyone who helped with our recent football camp. We’ve received a lot of support so far.”