If my math is correct ... and it’s always suspect ... I have 73 teams that are undefeated heading into this week of play in the high school football season. Believe it or not, and it’s really a matter of space, there are 29 of the larger number that are still unranked.

These 70-plus schools have just as many different stories that got them to that point of their schedules. My assignment this week is a sequel to last week’s work as the tour of the state continues. It’s a story from the north, to the mid-state and the south that got us to where we are.

Kevin Hatcher

Kevin Hatcher, from his Mount De Sales days, now wears the colors. of the ACE Gryphons

Credit: Macon Telegraph

First stop is to catch up with a Hatcher...

Kevin Hatcher is a personality synonymous with middle Georgia athletics. His time at Mount de Sales lent itself to a lot of successes across the board on campus. But, in the off-season, he saw a different opportunity about ten miles down the road at ACE Charter -- a place he watched that had a lot of promise. Their football pedigree is only in its fifth season -- with a first-round playoff appearance last year -- but Hatcher has hit the ground running with a 4-0 start.

“It’s great to see a change in the culture with the kids here,” Hatcher tells me. “There has been a lot of buy-in and, with the on-the-field positives, it’s always good to see. Winning cures all, doesn’t it? We have exceeded expectations outside of the locker room so far and, when the community sees the buy-in things can happen that much quicker.”

The Gryphons offense has been lights-out so far this season: 70 against Crawford County, 63 against Pataula Charter, and 57 to open region play last week against Jordan. The fourth win was a two-touchdown win against GMC Prep a few weeks ago.

“It takes time to establish relationships with kids when you’re at a new school,” Hatcher admits. “They’re used to doing things a certain way and you’re used to coaching a certain way. You have to find that balance and that’s the challenge in all of this. It is a new world and getting the trust of everyone involved is significant to get everything done.”

Hatcher says there is a long way to go and there is a lot to improve. Each week, he feels there’s a better understanding of what the coaches are trying to do and that trust is the key component to all of it. It’s a point Hatcher makes over and over in our conversation.

ACE’s second Region 2-2A game is this week with No. 7 Northeast -- a tough team that made a deep run in the playoffs last season -- before the bye week and the chance to recover.

“Frankly, for us, the midseason is perfect for us to have that bye week,” Hatcher says. “It’s a way to get some rest and build momentum after this week. Northeast is an established program and Coach (Jeremy) Wiggins has done a great job there. It’s the most talented team we’ve faced all year and it will be a measuring stick for us. It’ll let us know how far we’ve come and we’re excited for the opportunity.”

Next stop is down south where a team is looking to take that “next step...”

ACE

The entire ACE Academy community has bought into the winning concept brought by Hatcher.

The Dougherty Trojans had a tough one to get through for their fourth win in a row -- a 19-18 win over Hapeville Charter. And we all know Hapeville Charter will play anyone, any place, any time. Last week happened to be down south.

“If you told me before the season that we would be 4-0, I would have said, ‘Wow!’” head coach Johny Gilbert admits. “This is a bunch of guys that have grown together and wanted to make that extra commitment this season. And they’re doing it so far.” Three of the team’s four wins have had something to do with play in the fourth quarter -- the 18-point win over Randolph-Clay is the lone exception so far.

Kameron Davis, Dougherty

Kameron Davis of Dougherty is a big-time DI prospect.

Credit: Albany Herald

“We were 10-3 last year and made it to the third round of the playoffs,” Gilbert continues. “The guys coming up this season wanted to make it to ‘Game 15.’ So, that has been their preparation and work all Summer -- getting to Game 15. They’ve really shown the commitment and have grown and matured a lot coming into this season.”

Gilbert admits the one thing they have to work on is discipline -- specifically with penalties.

“The guys are in the moment and they’re focused on everything in front of them on the field. Then, they’ll have what I call an ‘uh-oh.’ I mean, it’s those ‘my-bads’ over the course of a game that you’ll lose a game. The biggest lesson is that they have to be aware in the moment -- each drive and each stop -- and that includes special teams as well.”

As they get ready for Terrell County this week, Gilbert says “study hall” has been good in the lead-up.

“There are always mistakes that we have to clean up and we’re trying to do that and not make the same mistakes over again. Every week for us has to be step-by-step improvement to get to Game 15. Having those five straight games out of the blocks, I think, is a good thing before we head into region play. But we all know our region (Region 1-3A) will be a tall order with Crisp, Carver, and Thomasville. After that break, we have to be prepared.”

As do the other 70 teams in addition to the two we got to catch up with this time around...

And it’ll be fun to see what happens this time around...

Play it safe, everyone... I’ll see you soon...