2018 RECORD: 4-6, overall (3-5, REGION 6 AAA)
HEAD COACH: Denver Pate 8-12
ALL TIME RECORD: 136 games – 55 – 81 – 0 (40%)
TOTAL SEASONS: 13 FIRST SEASON: 2006 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 6
REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
Schedule:
8.30 at Model
9.6 vs Darlington
9.13 vs Calhoun
9.27 vs Murray County
10.4 at Ringgold
10.11 vs Haralson County
10.18 at Adairsville
10.25 vs Lakeview- Ft. Oglethorpe
11.1 at Coahulla Creek
11.8 at North Murray
Sonoraville began the 2018 season winning two of their first four games. The Phoenix also ended the season with victories in two of their last four games. Two tough region losses in the middle of the season left them on the outside looking in at the postseason.
“We fell short of the goals we set for the beginning of the season,” says head football coach, Denver Pate, who is heading into his third season at the helm of SHS.
“It is our expectation to get back into the playoffs because we advanced to the second round of the 2016 GHSA playoffs in our last playoff appearance.We also want to compete for a region championship,” says Pate.
It is important to note that a region championship would be the first in school history if the Phoenix can rise from the ashes.
Sonoraville’s offense will be experienced, as they return eight starters from last season. The offense will be led by two seniors, the 2018 leading receiver Ben Burns and running back Case Collins. The offense will have a much-improved offensive line with senior offensive guard Warren Gragg and Davon Buckner leading the core. The quarterback position has yet to be decided as junior Brady Lackey and senior team captain Blade Bryant are in competition to be the starter for their 2019 campaign.
Defensively, Sonoraville will also return eight starters. A trio of free safety Kobe McEntyre, middle linebacker Colton Richards, and multi-position athlete Blade Bryant (all three-year starters) will lead the charge. The coaching staff also expects senior linebackers Tyler Capps and Loren Hiles, and senior linemen Brandon Bristol, all to be playmakers for the defense this season.
Senior Tripp Morrison will handle both the kicking and punting duties for the special teams’ units again this year for the Phoenix. In the return game, Blade Bryant is very dangerous with the ball in his hands.
Three other Sonoraville Phoenix players to keep an eye on in the junior varsity ranks are freshmen Ridge Redd, Brant Bryant and Tristan Mullins. “These freshmen will be the face of the program in the near future,” says Pate.
