In this week’s “4 Questions,” we spoke to Jeff Littleton of the Bainbridge Bearcats, who are considered one of the favorites to compete for a state title in Class 4A this year.
Q. Well Coach, here we go again with the start of the 2022 regular season upon us. What is the biggest difference that Bearcats fans will notice about this year’s Bainbridge football team compared to last year?
A. There will be a lot of new faces on the field. We had some three and even four-year starters graduate. We have had many working hard to fill the void, however, and expect great things from them and the returning 11 starters.
Q. What was the main emphasis of the offseason for your team?
A. That the work they do is not a sacrifice, but an investment into what they become. We have lost in the semifinals and the quarterfinals the last two years, so we have worked hard to understand that focusing on the small things will take us to the top.
Q. The story of the seniors who graduated may be quality over quantity. You didn’t lose too many numbers, but you sure did graduate some major talent with the loss of Deyon Bouie, who was one of the most electric players to ever play at Bainbridge, along with Zye Chrispen and Zion Bouie. Can you talk about losing those players and the other graduating seniors who will not return?
A. Those three were all four-year starters and won a state championship as freshmen. They were the core of our talented skill group. We also lost four offensive linemen from that senior class.
Q. The good news is you have some really good returners who were major contributors to last year’s nine-win squad. That group includes quarterback Bo Smith, who really impressed people last season and during the offseason summer passing camps. Who else are we likely to hear from this year as difference makers for your Bainbridge football team?
A. Our leading tackler for the last two years returns in Dontavius Broadnax, as well as five of our six interior defensive players, which should be a strength. On offense, our leading receiver and playmaker, Antavious Murphy, returns, as well as leading rusher Keenan Phillips. Along with Bo Smith, these three should be a strength offensively.
