FORT BENNING, Ga., (Aug. 28, 2013) -- Coming off a 3-7 season, the Hardaway High School Golden Hawks look to pick off the competition in 2013, and to do so, they will have to play more physically and exhibit mental toughness by winning the close games.
Last year, the Hawks could have possibly finished the season 5-5, but lost close region games to Bainbridge (19-24) and Harris County (21-28). Both of those teams made the playoffs with Harris County making it to the state quarterfinals.
Hardaway head coach, Jeff Battles, said he believes the team has made strides during the off season and it has shown in practice.
"We've tried to get them in better physical shape," he said. "I think that we have to get mentally tougher as a team -- that is something we've focused on a bunch. Players have dedicated themselves to the weight room this off season. They have been extremely physical during camp (and) everyone has bought in to what we are doing."
With four offensive and four defensive starters returning from last year's team, Battles said practices have run smoothly and the team has been cohesive in practice.
On offense, Battles will look to quarterback Blake Berry, Justin Crawford, wide receiver Christian Matthew and offensive lineman Desmond Barmore to produce the consistency needed to win.
"The offense will try to be more balanced," Battles said. "(We) will run more I concepts with an experienced offensive line and Crawford at running back."
Crawford showed his explosiveness at running back in the second quarter Aug. 21 in a scrimmage against Brookstone, taking off on a 34-yard run that set up Darius Blackmon's 2-yard touchdown run.
On defense, Battles will have the defense playing fast and attacking from many directions, he said.
During the scrimmage against Brookstone, the Cougars were constantly pressured by the Golden Hawks' defense, which accounted for a sack that led to a safety in the first half. The Hardaway defense held Brookstone to a lone touchdown, also scored in the second quarter.
Battles said the scrimmage went well, allowing him to work on different packages, and the evaluation of players and the team as a whole.
"We worked on the sets and personnel packages we needed to," Battles said. "We have some good stuff on film that we can correct and build on now. (It) helped us be able to evaluate some young players and their ability."
With the season set to kick off Friday, Battles said the team still has some work to do.
"We know we have to work on staying low off the ball and playing through the whistle," he said. "We did a good job of adjusting (during the scrimmage), both on offense and defense."
The Golden Hawks kick off the regular season against Jordan at Kinnett Stadium. Kickoff is
7:30 p.m.
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