Photos Andy Calvert
It is no surprise to anyone that Cartersville finished last season with double-digit wins; they do it year in and year out. They finished 13-1, with a loss in the AAAAA state semifinals. They lost to Coffee 18-35, a round after fellow region opponent Cass did.
So far throughout the summer, Cartersville has been extremely busy, spending their time working on themselves and the team, through the normal practices, OTA’s, and 7on7’s. They will look to take advantage of that hard work and look to translate it into wins this upcoming season. For a program like Cartersville, early success is crucial to success later on in the regular season and playoffs.
“So far, I have been really proud of my guys,” said Head Coach Conor Foster. “They want to win, and that starts in the spring and summer.”
He believes that the Coffee loss, while being last season, was able to build character and transform his group for the better in 2024.
Expectations and goals, according to Coach Foster, will always remain the same. Success is the only option.
“We talk about the standard at Cartersville; it doesn’t change, its next man. The main goal for our team week in and week out is to be a championship team in every single endeavor there is. For us, we want to be elite in all aspects of the game, and all the X’s and O’s.”
In the viewpoint of Foster, the O-line is an area of emphasis for this upcoming season. The line only returns one starter. That makes finding his best 5 on the line the most important part of the offseason.
In terms of formations and concepts, Foster likes to throw out multiple sets on the field. On top of using multiple sets, he will throw out different personnel groups during a contest to keep the defense honest and at bay. On defense, using simulated pressure is one of the hallmarks of his defense, with an additional stack, 3-4, and 3 high safeties. Overall, the Canes like to be multiple on both sides of the ball to just keep the defense guessing and offenses unsure of what to do.
As always Cartersville will have some dudes that are on radars for colleges large and small. Langston Hogg returns at center for the Canes, being recruited by D1 schools left and right. Cole Crawford, an upcoming sophomore, is currently being recruited by schools like UGA, Ohio State, and Tennessee. JJ Echols and Landon Heath will be some senior leaders in the fall. Brady Marchese and Reed Ezell are some juniors looking to make an impact. Finally, there’s the star of Foster’s loaded squad Jamauri Brice, who is a 2025 athlete who has committed to Georgia Tech. Overall, the Canes squad has a slew of talent, with unlimited potential all over the field.
Talent is never lacking at Cartersville. For a prestigious and successful program like this, the expectations will always be the same; Win baby, win.
