Everything connected to Woodmont High football is new this year.
Jason Farmer is the new coach and offensive coordinator, and he has a different game plan for the Wildcats. In addition, there is a new defensive coordinator and defense.
"Football is football," Farmer said. "As long as they are playing, that is the most important thing. They are learning a new offense and a new defense. They are learning everything new."
Farmer comes to Woodmont from Blue Ridge, where he was the offensive coordinator for a successful program. The move to Woodmont fulfilled his dream of being a head coach.
"When I first started coaching, I wanted to move up the ranks and one day be a head coach," Farmer said. "I didn't know where I would end up as a coordinator. I knew that would be the path I would have to take to be a head coach. It was my turn to be a head coach. Woodmont was something that interested me."
When Farmer got to Woodmont, a Class AAAA Division II school, he found a group of athletes who were ready to start working to improve and to become winners.
"It has been a good move. I have been very happy with how hard the kids have worked," Farmer said. "They wanted someone to come in and make them work harder. We have asked a lot of them, and they have responded pretty well."
Farmer said that most of the Woodmont team from a year ago returns. That gives him a large number of experienced players to work with and that, he said, will make it easier for them to learn the new system.
Because Farmer bases his starting lineup on who practices the hardest, he said his decisions wouldn't be made until the final days before the first game.
Farmer said a "probable" starting lineup on offense would have senior Austin Suratt at quarterback. Farmer said three running backs likely will see equal playing time: seniors James Ross and Krishone Franklin and junior Julius Evans.
The receiving corps includes senior Levon Atkins and juniors Cedric Sullivan, Raymond Fowler and Shaquan Dozier.
The offensive line likely would have seniors Jacob Hawkins and Austin Impson at the guards, juniors Malik Young and Merritt Richardson at the tackles and junior Hunter Haines at center.
Tanner Kohn, a junior, will do the kicking. Atkins made a number of big plays on kick returns last year and will handle that role again, Farmer said.
Farmer wants Woodmont to be able to pass and run in his no-huddle offense.
"If you look back over the last four or five years, the teams I coordinated have been pretty balanced," Farmer said. "Basically, we will be a no-huddle team. We will attack the defensive weakness wherever that may be. I will do whatever it takes to win."
On defense, possible starters would be Evans and Xavier Toussaint at the ends with Rashadric Jones and Demetrias Jones at the tackles.
Juniors Javion Duncan and Rasheem Clark and senior Josh Hulsey are the linebackers.
The corners are Atkins and Darius Barton. The safeties are juniors Jawanza Adams and Justin Elliot.
Although he thinks Greenwood is the top team in Region 1-AAAA, Farmer said the Wildcats will have to be ready every Friday night.
"Greenwood is not a good football team. Greenwood is a great one," Farmer said. "Everyone in our region is suiting up for them. We want to be at the top where Greenwood is."
