Below you can watch videos from the sixteen high school football coaches in the Fulton County Schools system in Atlanta. The coaches took part in Friday’s 5th annual Fulton County Media Day.
The day began with a heartwarming talk from Christion Abercrombie, a 2016 Westlake grad who went on to become a starting linebacker at Tennessee State. On September 29, 2018 against Vanderbilt, Abercrombie collapsed on the sideline and rushed to a nearby hospital where he had emergency brain surgery.
While doctors weren’t sure if he’d ever walk again, Abercrombie walked to the podium to address coaches and student-athletes about his road to recovery.
Each coach brought a couple of players with him and talked about them during their season previews.
Alpharetta Raiders
Jacob Nichols is entering his 6th season as head coach of the Raiders. Nichols owns a 39-18 career mark at the school, which makes him the winningest head coach in Alpharetta football history.
2018 Record: 6-5
2019 Season Opener: Collins Hill, August 16
Banneker Trojans
Lou George enters his first year as the Trojans head coach after serving as an assistant at Westlake. Last year, Banneker won the Region 6-AAAAA championship last year.
2018 Record: 9-2
2019 Season Opener: Lovejoy, August 23
Cambridge Bears
Craig Bennett enters his eighth year as the head coach of the Bears. Cambridge is coming of a 3-7 season.
2018 Record: 3-7
2019 Season Opener: Creekview, August 23
Centennial Knights
Shane Sams enters his first year as the head coach of the Knights. He comes to Centennial after being the offensive coordinator at Warner Robins.
2018 Record: 7-4
2019 Season Opener: Northside, August 23
Chattahoochee Cougars
Mike Malone is the new head coach at Chattahoochee. The Cougars are coming off a winless season.
2018 Record: 0-10
2019 Season Opener: Riverwood, August 23
Creekside Seminoles
Creekside is coming off an 8-4 season under third year head coach Maurice Dixon. Last year, the Seminoles won the Region 5-AAAAAA championship.
2018 Record: 8-4
2019 Season Opener: Johns Creek, August 16
Hapeville Charter Career Academy Hornets
Heading into his 10th season with the Hornets, Winston Gordon has won 70-percent of his games with a 70-30 record. Hapeville finished 10-2 last season, losing in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs. The Hornets won the AA title in 2017.
2018 Record: 10-2
2019 Season Opener: Cedar Grove, August 24
Johns Creek Gladiators
Matt Helmerich led the school to a 9-1 season last year with the only loss coming against St. John’s College High School (Washington, DC), the No. 6 team in the final 2018 High School Football America 100 national rankings. Helmerich is entering his third year as Johns Creek’s head coach.
2018 Record: 9-2
2019 Season Opener: Creekside, August 16
Langston Hughes Panthers
Daniel “Boone” Williams takes over the Panthers as head coach after serving as an assistant for eight years.
2018 Record: 4-6
2019 Season Opener: Dutchtown, August 23
Milton Eagles
Head coach Adam Clack is entering his third season at Milton. The Eagles are the defending Class 7A state champs. Milton finished No. 20 last year in the High School Football America 100. This year, the Eagles enter the season ranked No. 55 in our Preseason 100.
2018 Record: 13-2
2019 Season Opener: Buford, August 23
North Springs Charter Spartans
Scotty Parker begins his third season as the Spartans head head. The program will be looking for its third playoff appearance in four years.
2018 record: 3-7
2019 Season Opener: Fellowship Christian, August 23
Northview Titans
Assistant head coach Danny Young filled-in at media day for head coach James Thomson, who is ready to enter his third season as the leader of the Titans.
2018 Record: 5-5
2019 Season Opener – Riverwood, August 16
Riverwood International Charter School Raiders
Former NFL player Willie Clay, who serves as the Raiders defensive coordinator filled-in for head coach Robert Edwards at Media Day. In his first year, Edwards led the Raiders to an 8-3 season.
2018 Record: 8-3
2019 Season Opener: Northview, August 16
Roswell Hornets
Matt Kemper enters his third season with the Hornets. Last season, Roswell finished 9-2. The Hornets made a brief appearance in our Top 100 after beating Milton 22-20 in mid-September. They lost in the opening round of the 7A playoffs to Tift County
2018 Record: 9-2
2019 Season Opener: Campbell, August 30
Tri-Cities Bulldogs
After six seasons as head coach at Newton, Terrance Banks moves to Tri-Cities.
2018 Record: 1-9
2019 Season Opener: Douglass, August 30
Westlake Lions
Bobby May moves-up from offensive coordinator to head coach of the Lions this year. Last year, Westlake had the second highest scoring average in the state.
2018 Record: 9-3
2019 Season Opener: Creekside, August 23
