Some high school coaches believe summer passing league events are nothing more than window dressing, a way to get their skill players in shape and maybe improve the timing and chemistry between the quarterback and his weapons.
For North Murray, however, the past few weeks may have been the most important in the short history of the program. A team still searching for annual success, the Mountaineers were successful on the local, regional and national 7-on-7 stages this summer, and the lift in both play and confidence among the team’s skill players has caught even coach David Gann by surprise.
“It’s like night and day watching these guys this year compared to last summer,” Gann said of senior quarterback Hinton McConkey and his plethora of experienced playmakers. “On the surface we may not match up with some of the teams we’ve gone against this year, but these guys have not backed down from anyone and more than held their own.”
The biggest jump in play has come from McConkey, who has grown into the position in more ways than one. According to Gann he’s four inches taller and has put on 20 pounds. Add that to the confidence he earned this summer and the coach believes he has a major weapon.
“Just watching him throw the ball, you can tell he’s much stronger and he better understands our offense,” Gann said of the senior who passed for 1,393 yards and rushed for 712 last year. “And he just wants to win. That’s the biggest thing of all.”
Ask McConkey about the upcoming season and he gushes with excitement and quickly points to his numerous weapons as the reason, including 6-foot-3 receiver Payton Swilling (488 yards receiving, 12 touchdowns), receiver Jordan Adams (415 yards, six touchdowns) and running back Drake McCowan (872 yards rushing and 12 scores).
“We’re returning 97 percent of our offensive production,” the quarterback said. “Jordan Adams and Payton Swilling are two of the best receivers in Georgia. Payton runs the cleanest routes I’ve ever seen, and Jordan is the fastest player on our team and he can get past people. Drake has put on 25 pounds and he’s just huge. If we’re clicking, we can be unstoppable.”
One question yet to be answered is the team’s ability to play a consistent four quarters. McConkey believes it all has to do with instilling a will to win at any cost.
“We have all the talent in the world but last year not the intensity and drive to match it,” he said. “Just finding a way to put four quarters together is the key. We always came out hot last year, but we would lay down when something bad happened because we didn’t have leadership. Our biggest goal this summer is to find a way to keep that from happening.”
– Lindsey Young
NORTH MURRAY MOUNTAINEERS
Head coach: David Gann (9-11 in two years here and overall)
Last year: 4-6, 3-4 in Region 5-AAA
Returning starters (O/D/K): 8/7/2
Control panel: The Mountaineers have a potentially dominant offense led by returning starters QB Hinton McConkey (6-2, 200, Sr.), RB Drake McCowan (5-10, 160, Sr.), WR Jordan Adams (5-9, 150, Jr.) and WR Payton Swilling (6-3, 210, Sr.).
New producers: Stopping teams has been an issue for the Mountaineers in recent years, so a trio of athletic newcomers – DB Noah Allen (6-foot, 175, So.), LB Brody Frazier (6-foot, 185, So.) and DL Tyson Taylor (6-1, 230, Sr.) – will add some life to that critical aspect.
By the numbers:
46 – Touchdowns scored last year by the team’s quartet of returning skill-position stars.
43 – Points per game allowed by the Mountaineers during a killing four-game region losing streak last year.
3 – 7-on-7 events won this summer by the Mountaineers, who made the championship bracket of the Cam Newton Foundation national tournament in Charlotte.
2014 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 29 – at Rockmart
Sept. 5 – Chattooga
Sept. 12 – Sonoraville*
Sept. 19 – at Calhoun*
Sept. 26 – Murray County*
Oct. 3 – at Lakeview-F.O.*
Oct. 17 – at Coahulla Creek *
Oct. 24 – at Adairsville*
Oct. 31 – Gordon Central*
Nov. 7 – Ringgold*
- Region 6-AAA game