Photos Andy Calvert
Coosa finished last season with a 3-7 record. They did not win a single game in the region but pulled away a few wins against teams such as Southwest Whitfield, Towns County, and Gordon Central. Geoff Cannon arrives from Brantley County, to take over the head coaching duties and looks to turn around the program.
Cannon has taken advantage in the offseason and has implemented new terminology and schemes for the Eagles this upcoming year. Coosa did a 7on7 against Darlington, which was their first competition against another team. They had an OTA at Chattooga, which was Coosa’s first time ever at an OTA.
“We held our own against some tough teams in OTA’s,” says Cannon. “I am super excited about implementing concepts within our offense and being able to relentlessly pursue on defense.”
Geoff Cannon’s goals for Coosa are just as you would think they are: compete, and be able to compete at a high level.
“I just want to be competitive. I didn’t come here to lose football games, I came here to win them. Doing the small things that it takes to win is a process, but it takes time. Being able to set a standard for these kids and holding these young people to those standards is extremely important.”
“Offensively, we need to be 11 for 11; we need to be able to execute in general, and under pressure. The same goes for defense, we don’t want to put ourselves behind the 8 ball.”
It is more of a mindset thing rather than a personnel matter, according to Head Coach Geoff Cannon.
Cannon wants to enforce a spread offense but loves using the run game with some sniffers and wings. Adding gaps to the run game is crucial. Defensively, they will be more of a 3-4, but is essentially a 5-2 with the linebackers sniffing. There will be a 4-man front, with heavier run offenses.
Coosa has a few big names this upcoming year that Cannon and the Coosa community will be excited to see. Harrison East, a 1st team all-region linebacker, will be back for his senior year. Deshaun Turner is a 1000-yard rusher in 2023, returns, and DJ Johnson and Tristan Adams will play a little bit of running back as well. Kaden Turner will see time at slot receiver, and Jaylen Wofford will be battling for the QB spot as well. Omarion and Vonye Millsap will see good snaps at receiver and are extremely talented. Along with Harrison East, Haygen Cothan will be a big name on the D-Line. DJ Johnson and Mason Brownlow will play outside on defense and in the secondary JJ Worrice is a big name, with Vonye and Jaylen Wofford being able to see time as well.
Cannon’s arrival brings high hopes to the Coosa Community as he looks to make his mark on the program.
