E.K. Slaughter wasn't sure what to expect when he first met with his new team. What the veteran coach has learned after the first few weeks with the Generals is contrary to the team's 1-19 record the past two seasons.
"If I didn't know the record the last two years, I never would have guessed it with the way these guys have worked," Slaughter said. "It's been great to have that attitude and to find out these guys are very coachable and hungry to improve. It's honestly been a pleasure to go to work with these guys every day."
Changes abound with the Generals, the most notable to fans the installation of a quick-hitting spread offense that Slaughter believes will take advantage of quarterback Dylan Bice. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound junior has taken to the offense quickly, and he believes the pre-snap reads and quick drops will result in a dangerous offense.
"We have more pre-snap reads this year," Bice said. "I need to know where the ball is going pre-snap by making the right read, and that's going to help me cut down on interceptions. I threw too many last year because I forced too many passes, which is why we're going to determine where the ball needs to go before the snap. It's going to be very quick."
Slaughter has enjoyed working with his new weapon and said there's one thing that already sets Bice apart.
"He has one of the best arms I've ever coached, and he can flat out throw the ball," said the coach who is well-known for his quarteback tutelage. "Early on it was trying to catch him up mentally on what we want to do, and he's come a tremendously long way in just two months. He can do some things with the ball that's hard to coach.
"Dylan's a pocket passer, but his feet are good enough that he can buy enough time to find someone who's open. I think he's really special, and if people don't know about him in the area, they will after this season."
Bice said Slaughter and his staff already have won a big battle with instilling a new attitude and work ethic within the team.
"I can't wait for this year. It's going to be fun with this new coaching staff," he said. "They're building a lot of character within the team.
"Our attitude in the way we're playing the game now is the biggest change I've seen. We're helping each other, and it's not like, 'Oh, great, we've got football practice.' Now, it's like, 'Hey, we get to go out and kick some tail today.' It really is going to be fun."
- Lindsey Young
HERITAGE GENERALS
Head coach: E.K. Slaughter (first year here; 28-33 in six years overall)
Last year: 1-9, 1-4 in Region 7B-AAAA
Returning starters (O/D/K): 6/6/2
Control panel: QB Dylan Bice (6-4, 215, Jr.) is entrenched as the trigger man in the Generals' new spread attack and has a solid target in WR Christian King (6-2, 210, Sr.). Two-way lineman Isaac Miller (6-3, 265) will be a key component in the trenches.
New producers: RB/LB Tanner Nance (6-foot, 240, So.) played some last year and will be counted on for a heavier workload this season, while WR Jordan Goodman (6-4, 175, Jr.) will give Bice another big target after transferring from Ooltewah. DB Luke Grant (5-7, 150, Fr.) is expected to be in the defensive rotation.
2014 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 29 - at Ringgold
Sept. 5 - at Lakeview-F.O.
Sept. 12 - Dawson County
Sept. 26 - Southeast Whitfield *
Oct. 3 - at Cartersville *
Oct. 10 - LaFayette *
Oct. 17 - at Ridgeland *
Oct. 24 - Pickens County *
Oct. 31 - at Northwest Whitfield *
Nov. 7 - Gilmer County *
- Region 7-AAAA game