Area Football Snapshot: Laney is hitting its stride while learning to overcome adversity

After committing a turnover and falling behind Butler 8-6 in the fourth quarter on the road Friday, Laney calmly marched 65 yards down the field and scored the game's go-ahead touchdown on a 20 yard completion from freshman Javaris Harris to sophomore Marcellus Brigham.

The pivotal drive, which resulted in a 12-8 region victory for the Wildcats, encapsulated what acting head coach Chris Thomas meant in a post game interview conducted over Facebook Messenger Saturday when he said "this season has had its share of adversity... but we are making the best of the opportunity and seizing the moment." 

The winner of two of its last three games, no area team has been hit harder by Covid-19 complications than Laney (2-3, 2-1), who because of the virus has played all five of its games without head coach Rashad Dunn while also having to make due without starting quarterback Keshaun Sanders for the first two games of the season.

The trials have been many: 

- First, Laney's opener against arch rival Josey was postponed (and moved to this Friday).

- Next Thomas found out two days before its first game against Grovetown (a 6-2 loss on the road) that the sophomore Sanders would be quarantined (because of contact tracing) for two weeks, thrusting the freshman Harris into starting QB duty. 

- Then the team had to cancel practices the Monday and Tuesday after the first game so the entire school could be sanitized, making preparation for its game at Lincoln County that week (a 13-7 loss) that much more difficult. 

Understandably, the offense has encountered problems with penalties and turnovers because of the chaos. Mix in the fact that Troy commit Jordan Stringer, Laney's star running back and linebacker, was unable to play for the better part of two games because of a lower body injury, and you get a recipe for disaster... one would think.

Troy commit Jordan Stringer (14), a four-year Laney starter

Responding to adversity:

But Thomas couldn't be more proud of his players for the way they have responded, particularly Friday night when a group of men made of less would have folded:

"Having to keep these kids' minds sane has been a job within itself, especially with such a young team with limited (36 players) numbers," Thomas explained before concluding with noticeable pride that "...last night we grew up as a team and persevered through all the turnovers and penalties to get a pivotal win in region play."

 

Player Profiles:

Despite the obvious difficulties, Laney has been able to rely on a strong defense that is anchored by Stringer and fellow seniors CJ Madison (nose guard) and Corey Alexander (linebacker). All three players have started for at least three seasons. Led by those veterans, the unit has held opponents to 10 points per game, and on Friday Butler was able to manage only 65 yards of total offense.

CJ Madison (53) and Corey Alexander (4)

Jordan Stringer -

Jordan Stringer (2) - August, 2019

Thomas gushed about Stringer, a four-year starter who received Augusta Chronicle All Area honors as far back as his freshman season, and who has been a leader on both the football and the basketball team since the day he stepped onto Laney's campus:

"Jordan is one of the most humble kids I have ever been around. But this year one of our coaches talked to him about having to be a different type of leader this year, and having to be more vocal because he is a kid that really leads by example," Thomas said. "Here is a kid that has over a 3.6 GPA and can graduate in December if he likes. He actually was attending classes Augusta Tech last year. He is part of the early college program that Laney used to have. He often gets down on himself when he feels like he does something he knows better than to do, but he’s a kid that also will come back and make up for it."

Marcellus Brigham - 

Marcellus Brigham (5) - August, 2019

Thomas also heaped heavy praise on Brigham. First, let me say that I agree with Chris's assessments (below) and I must also say that at 6-3 and 190, the sophomore wide receiver's appearance and play are striking to the eye in a way that is truly unique. Brigham has four touchdown receptions this season, and he plays all over the field on the other side of the ball. Thomas described Marcellus's versatility:

"He is really like a unicorn. The first 2 games we lined him up at linebacker where he had a few tackles for loss. The last game we asked him to go down and play defensive end to rush the passer and contain him, which he did very well. This week we asked him to play safety to give our secondary a boost. He has played all three at a very high level. Not sure why power 5 schools are not reaching out which I’m sure is all about to change after this season."

Marcellus Brigham makes a tackle against Aquinas in August, 2019

If you are skeptical about Thomas's next statement, I encourage you to go watch Laney play and judge for yourself:

"I truly believe that kid (Brigham) is the number 1 athlete in the class of ‘23," Thomas declared. "And I’m not saying that because he is my player. You ask every opponent we have played so far. I mean offensively he is seeing double teams as a sophomore and still managing to make the play when presented with the chance."

And in case you want it clarified, like I did, Thomas means Marcellus is the best sophomore athlete in the nation!

Marcellus Brigham makes a diving catch against Aquinas.

Javaris Harris -

This season Brigham has been on the receiving end of all four of Laney's touchdown passes, two each from Sanders, the sophomore, and Harris, the freshman. Sanders has impressed Thomas with his accuracy, and Harris with his playmaking ability, his composure (especially for a freshman), and his ability to "take some pretty tough licks."

Harris leads the team in rushing touchdowns (4) to go with his two passing touchdowns. And the freshman showed uncommon composure Friday when during his first series behind center in the game he led the Wildcats on their fourth quarter go-ahead touchdown drive.

"He's a very unique individual. The kid is a threat wherever he is playing at on the field," Thomas explained. "This is a kid the area better get used to hearing about. He just has that “IT” factor. Very dynamic with the ball in his hands."

Javaris Harris (5) - Laney

The road ahead:

Laney's only loss during region play came at the hands of league leader Putnam County (6-0, 3-0). This Friday the Wildcats will their long time rival Josey (1-3, 0-2), who will be trying to build on the progress it has seen recently after winning its first game in 29 tries on its opening night.

From there the road for the Wildcats will get even more difficult as the remaining opponents (Westside, Oconee County and Jefferson County) all currently sport region records at or above .500. Thomas made a point of saying that one of the team's goal is to make the state playoffs, something no player on the current roster has experienced. If the Wildcats keep making progress, and maybe catch a break or two, they could very well deliver on that goal.