A New Era of Football
New head coach says team could meet high expectations this year
By Anne Marie Kyzer Staff Writer

ERIC PARKER Head Coach Age: 40 Hometown: Camilla, Georgia Family: Wife, Rashann; and sons, Keenan, 9, Kendall, 8, and daughter, Kamryn, 4 Flashback: Attended Mitchell-Baker High School and Georgia Southern University Coaching philosophy: We can't control the outcome because that belongs to God. However, He allows us to influence it through hard work and dedication. Pre-game rituals: I like to relax and talk about something other than football. Favorite thing about game night: Community excitement Favorite college team: Florida State University Seminoles Favorite NFLteam: Dallas Cowboys Off-season activities: Playing golf, fishing and vacationing.

When he took the head coaching job at Laney High School in Augusta, less than 25 players showed up for workouts.

Three years later, he had the team headed to the state playoffs for Laney's first appearance since the '70s.

The school captured the region championship in 2000, a title it hadn't held in nearly 30 years.

ERIC LUKE Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Age: 37 Hometown: Washington, Georgia Family: Wife, Lisa; daughter, Rian; and son, Justin Flashback: Played defensive back for Valdosta State University Blazers and defensive back and running back for Washington-Wilkes High School Tigers Coaching philosophy: Play hard or don't play at all. Pre-game rituals: Listen to music during my reflection time Favorite thing about game night: Getting it started Favorite college team: Florida State University Favorite NFLteam: Miami Off-season activities: Getting ready for the next football season Other sports: Coaches track and field

For the remainder of head coach Eric Parker's tenure there, the Wildcats didn't go another season without making the state playoffs and made two trips to the Georgia Dome for the semifinals.

They hadn't seen such success on the gridiron since the Wildcats' heyday in the '60s.

It was a good run.

Now, exactly one decade from his start at Laney, Parker is starting over in Burke County.

Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Age: 46 JIM DYE Hometown: Blythe, Georgia Family: Wife, Sherry; sons, Jay, 12 and Jackson, 10 Flashback: Played center for the Georgia Southern Eagles and tight end for the Hephzibah High School Rebels Coaching philosophy: Getting the kids to believe in each other and the coaches and to give a great effort Pre-game rituals: Try to relax Favorite thing about game night: Finally starting the game Off-season activities: Spending more time with family and playing golf

Intimidated? Anxious? Not in the least.

Parker says moving on is just part of the job.

"Obviously, it's a transient profession," he said. "People are always looking for new horizons to conquer."

Burke County fans and the school board are hoping he makes short order of conquering those horizons here.

Since Parker's arrival on the scene, they've made sure he has the resources and staff to accomplish big things.

The pressure from the outside isn't so much what drives Parker, though.

BILLY WEHUNT Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Age: 35 Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina Family: Wife, Jennifer; sons, Zac, 9, Bryson, 5, and Brantley, 4 Flashback: Attended North Carolina A&T State University where he was a place kicker for the Aggies and played linebacker, kicker and quarterback in high school for the Southern Gilford Indians Coaching philosophy: Preparation plus perspiration in order to achieve perfection Favorite thing about game night: The energy, excitement and expectations of watching our players perform Favorite college team: Tennessee Volunteers Favorite NFLteam: Dallas Cowboys Off-season activies: Spending time with family

"I don't think anyone could put anymore pressure on me than I put on myself," he said, shaking his head. "And I think that's true of most coaches."

Parker doesn't think the Bears have that far to go to see some serious success, saying to compare Burke County to Laney is an apples to oranges comparison.

JAMIE EPPS Receivers

He's right. Although they didn't claim any region titles, Burke County only saw one losing season over the past seven years.

"The kids here were already disciplined, and they worked hard. The program was up and running," Parker said. "I've had the opportunity to be around a lot of winning programs around the state, and I haven't seen any out work this group."

The key, he said, will be the self-confidence his players have on the field, adding that all the potential in the world is nothing without that assurance.

With that assurance, Parker seems pretty confident that it won't take Burke County long to meet the high expectations set before them.

Going into the season, the Bears biggest strength is likely their defense. Parker said the quickness and speed on that side of the ball will give them an edge.

"It will allow us to be competitive," he said, but said he doesn't look to any one person as the key factor.

"The kids are buying into the fact that we're going to have to do this by committee," he said. "No one is going to carry us, but we've got a handful of kids that are able to go out and make plays together."

MARK FLOWERS Defensive Tackles/ video coordinator

The greatest weakness, Parker said, may be inexperience.

He's seen what the players can do at practice in the Bear Den, but he's yet to see what happens when it's show time.

"You always wonder what will happen when the lights come on and these guys are out there," he said, but then he shrugged. "I don't think about that so much though, because I think we can overcome that pretty quickly."

Parker's been grooming them for the game situation as much as possible in practice, focusing on "intensity and consistency."

He runs his practices with the same level of energy the players will see on a Friday night.

"When we get on the field Friday night, we don't want to get caught playing at a pace we're not used to," he said.

At the same time, he's concentrating on the players' abilities to perform when it comes time.

ROBERT FLOYD Kickers

"You've got to go out and play to the best of your ability every time," he said. "Inconsistency doesn't win ball games."

The Bears are starting the season pretty healthy. No players are nursing injuries that could cost them any playing time.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle lately has been the heat.

While Parker said he and his coaching staff have had to make some adjustments during practice, like starting later and taking more breaks, he said it's nothing that everybody hasn't had to deal with right along with them.

GARY FULCHER Offensive Line MERCEDES HAMILTON Offensive Line BOBBY MOORE Defensive Ends TRAVIS THOMAS Equipment Coordinator AMANDA HANKINS Athletic Trainer