A new field, a new region and a new era for Raiders football. Habersham Central’s time is coming, and the Raiders are on the rise.
We’ve seen this coming for the past couple of seasons. As the Raiders have endured being in the highest classification in the state, and in an extremely tough region, it will now pay off.
The Raiders will stay in class 6A, but move from region 6-6A to 8-6A. With the GHSA adding a class 7A, many of the Radiers’ region foes will be moving up and out. This creates a nicer fit for Habersham Central, whose six-member region consists of itself along with Gainesville, Apalachee, Dacula, Lanier and familiar foes Winder-Barrow.
The schedule allows for something the Raiders haven’t had in years…a deep non-region slate. Over the past two years, Habersham has only been afforded one non-region opponent, having powerhouse 2A school Rabun County for the opener before diving right into region play. Even the 2012-2013 schedules only allowed for a couple of non-region games as well.
“Everyone talks about Michael Babers, which they should. He is a tremendous player and young man. But we have other players who are going to be instrumental to our success.” -Head Coach Benji Harrison
The 2016 season will feature non-region opponents East Hall, White County, Franklin County, Stephens County and Chestatee, as well as a scrimmage against local Banks County. Not only does that give the Raiders time to sharpen up for the region games that will kick in Week 8, but will generate more of a local buzz.
“I think our non-region schedule is great,” says coach Benji Harrison. “We are playing great competition that will prepare us for our region. Also, with the type of travel that we’ve had to do the last few years, I think it will be great for our players and fans to stay in Northeast Georgia against teams that are much more familiar. Hopefully it will be a great opportunity to rekindle some old rivalries which make for very exciting Friday nights.”
Habersham, by virtue of playing in “Week 0” on August 19, will be awarded two bye weeks. One will be used following the season opener against East Hall, while the other will strategically come after Chestatee and prior to the first region game against Gainesville at home.
The Raiders have stability at the head coaching position and despite dealing with some turnover, as no team is immune, the Raiders have enough pieces coming back to be in contention for a state playoff push. “I think this group has a great chance to be the perfect definition of a team,” adds Harrison. “Everyone talks about Michael [Babers], which they should. He is a tremendous player and young man. But we have other players who are going to be instrumental to our success.”
Harrison is counting defensively on some returning players with experience.
“Jake Jones is going to have to be a player who is a great leader and makes a lot of plays for us on that side of the ball,” says Harrison. “Austin Frady is another. He, along with Dylan Holcomb, has been there before and is going to have to play really well for us on the defensive line. Trey Hurt will have to anchor us down in the secondary and have a great senior season.”
On the flip side of the ball, quarterback Cole Wilbanks and Michael Babers are going to be crucial, as will the protection in the trenches. “Offensively, Cole has now had a year to get his feet wet, and I expect him to be a great leader and make plays for us this season,” says Harrison. “An entirely new offensive line is going to have to gel together fast for us to do the things we want to do on offense. Another player who is going to have to make plays for us is Aaron Wood at [wide receiver].”
Harrison knows there are many other players who will come in to play in 2016. “There are others that are just as important [as the ones mentioned], that I think will bring a lot to this team.”
The Raiders went 1-9 in three of the past four seasons, and endured an 0-10 mark two years ago. However, with coach Harrison leading a group with the character and talent they have, and the excitement of the new changes, there’s no reason not to mark November 11 on your calendar…the state playoff opening round.
