New Season Less Than Month Away for Cane Football

The countdown is now inside the final month for the start of a new season for the Monticello High School football team.

Players and coaches have remained busy through July and will begin the first of five days of conditions before going full contact August 1. Canes coach Rydell Jackson said players can practice with helmets beginning Aug. 1.

Recently players attended a Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp hosted by Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. The camp was beneficial in several ways, Jackson said, including for team bonding.

“It was a great camp for us,” the coach said. “The kids competed well against other teams and we saw some positive things. They are also some things we need to continue to work on.”

Offensively the Canes were able to move the football and also made some stops defensively.

Another bright spot from the camp Jackson wanted to point out came when eight players dedicated their lives to Christ.

MHS competed at a passing league event Tuesday of this week at Greene County High School. Athens Academy and Jefferson County also participated.

“It was a chance for us to see more competition,” Jackson said.

One of the strengths for the MHS team in 2019 will be the offensive line. Tyler Wages, Johari Stone, Hyrum Pierce and Michael Clendenin will be among those working in the trenches for the Canes. Each will be seniors.

“We are going to have to rely on our offensive line,” Jackson said. “That is where we have most of our offensive returners back. They will lead the way for us.”

In addition to the returning players up front Jackson said there is quality depth for the offensive line in 2019. Coaches have been working throughout the offseason to get skill position players ready to contribute.

MHS will host Strong Rock for a preseason scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 16, before hosting Mount de Sales in the 2019 season opener the following week.

Non-region games against Bowden and North Cobb Christian will follow. The Canes will then open region play with back-to-back games against Union County and Rabun County. Monticello was 4-3 in region play last season and qualified for the state playoffs.

Work continues on the new MHS football field and complex. Athletic director Matt Martin said earlier this week it remains “a work in progress.”

At one point there was hope home games could be played at the new location by mid-season but Martin said that is not guaranteed as of late July.