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Undefeated Eastside remains focused on the big picture
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As I write this week’s blog, I can’t help but reflect on the events of the past week. My hope is that all is well with you and that those that you love are safe and well. Hurricane Helene, The Storm of our Lifetime, left a mark on our state that will be felt for some time to come. Massive power outages left schools closed and all but halted athletic activities statewide. In Covington, the Eastside Eagles prepared for their game with Madison County. Head Coach Jay Cawthon spent last week keeping and eye on the sky.
“We were able to have a regular Monday practice,” recalls Cawthon. “We had a regular Tuesday practice and then Wednesday we tried to beat the rain and get out to the field, but ‘Boom’ the thunder chased us into the gym and that’s when I got the phone call about everything being canceled . We did not see our kids again until Saturday morning We were not allowed to do anything. We brought them in Saturday morning and fed them breakfast . We had a little walk through in the gym just to rekindle some thoughts, because we hadn't seen them in 48 hours. Then we got on the bus and went up there. So, it was a very unordinary week and I know a lot of football teams have experienced that this week.”
Football players and football coaches are creatures of habit. Coach Cawthon and his staff had to have some degree of separation anxiety. Then there was little time to prepare for a unique offensive attack and a rare Saturday bus ride.
“Going up there on that Saturday afternoon was a change of routine.” recalls Cawthorn. “We were really worried about it. Madison County runs the triple option and they do it well. We knew that they would try to keep the ball away from us, and that first drive they kept it for about seven minutes. After they saw it the first time, and we gave up the seven points, we went to halftime, up 9-7. We scored on both our possessions. But I really saw something because that's the first time that we've been tested since the Newton game. After halftime our kids came out with a different level of energy. I was so proud of them with all that adversity of the week, But I was really proud of how they responded and took the game over in a second half. First play of the second half Jayden Barr broke one for about 67 yards. We scored on the next play. Then there was a turnover the very next series, boom, we scored. So, it got to 23-7 in a hurry. Our defense really homed in on their responsibilities of doing their job and just getting ball back to the offense. We didn't have to punt. We scored on every possession we had."
The 37-7 win over Madison County lifted the Eagles season mark to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in Region 8-4A. To have a perfect record at this stage of the season might surprise some, but not the coach who has been optimistic all along.
“We got a lot of experience coming back for last year’s 8-4 team,” says Cawthon. “The kids have a mission, and they are really approaching each week, to go 1-0, and we've gotten better every week in each phase of the game. We have a lot of guys that have a lot of experience playing on Friday night and that helps a lot. So, there's not a lot of starry eyes out there. They believe in each other, and they're playing for each other."
Cawthon is a veteran of the Eastside football program. He likes to talk about the culture of the program and the work ethic of the players. It was something observed during the off season.
“High school football is year-round pretty much,” says Cawthon. “I tell them all the time, I got you for 10 1/2 months, that's about it. I've been here for 20 years, as an offensive coordinator and the head coach last four years. Our kids just work. We had a great off season, with a lot of people back who know what's going on, and how our culture is. We hit the ground run in the summertime, doing the 7 on 7s, and then a couple of OTAs. I think we want up against some good competition in the OTA that really prepared us, so, I'm happy we we’re at.”
That happiness was tested in week one when Eastside opened the season against cross-county rival Newton. The Rams had dominated the series recently, but this time the Eagles soared to a 26-16 win. Cawthon attempted to approach Newton like any other game. Good luck with that.
“It's big for our community,” says Cawthorn. “For us, it's the first game of the year this year. We didn’t say anything about it all summer. Obviously, our kids knew who it was. You want to come out and get a win in that first game to get some momentum over any opponent. It was a big hump off our back. We hadn't beat them in four years. It's always a big crowd, and it's a great atmosphere. Not a lot of people gave us a chance. They never do, but our kids are very confident. I think it really springboards us to where we are now, no doubt.”
The Eagles hot start to the season has opened some eyes in a region that includes Walnut Grove, unbeaten North Oconee and an improving East Forsyth team. Eastside last won a region title in 2018. This year’s squad is experienced with talent to match.
Jayden Barr, a Georgia Tech commit, does a bit of everything. Barr starts at running back and safety – he’s even the long snapper on the punt team. Christian Gass, who is headed to Tennessee, is a linebacker who is extremely active. Bailey Benson, another linebacker, has committed to Wake Forest.
“Those three guys have really led us,” Cawthon said. “I think we've done a really good job on both last scrimmage. We had three starters coming back on the offense who have played a lot of football. We really controlled the line of scrimmage in all of our games. Both on the offense and defensive front.”
Cawthon had been worried about the defensive front, which had two new starters, but has seen great growth. And junior Xavier Joseph, a junior who has started since he was a freshman, continues to improve and play well.
On offense, Eastside quarterback Peyton Shaw does a good job managing the offense and taking shots down the field. A three-headed running attack of Barr, Myles Mims and Tyler Solomon have done a nice job.
These Eagles might be soaring, but Cawthon is careful to keep them grounded. He feels that is a key to his team’s long-term success.
“The big thing at our place is our standard,” says Cawthon. “It's on the back of everything that we wear. It’s just playing to our standard of football, practicing our way. I preach it every day, and I begin each talk at the end of practice with ‘It’s the biggest game because it's the next game.’ I really started doing that leading up to the Newton game because those first four games had no bearing on our goals. They are non-region. I didn’t want them to build it up any more than our community does.”
The community has to be thrilled with the Eastside Eagles and will be sure to pack the stands whenever and wherever they play. After playing on Saturday last week, this week’s game with Walnut Grove was scheduled for Thursday, it has since been moved to Saturday. Like so many teams around the state, in wake of the Hurricane, they can only control the controllable.
“We’ve got Walnut Grove next,” says Cawthon. “They are a very physical bunch. They are 4-1 coming in from an off week. We never really talk about our opponent. I usually tell them who were playing right after the game on Friday night and we don't even mention their name again. I think that speaks volumes to our kids. They're not worried about the other team. Just worry about what Eastside can do.”
Six games into the season, the Eastside Eagles have passed every test that they have faced. They have proven something to themselves and to their coach. You can hear it in the tone of his voice .
“They’re very resilient,” says Cawthorn. “They understand the process. And we talk about a lot about we can only control what we can control, don't worry about anything else -- and that includes the weather. We've had a lot of close teams here, but this this group is probably the top five closest teams we’ve had here on the field and off. “
Football Fridays in Georgia returns this week with Collins Hill at Buford. Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. on the Great GPB!
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