ITG Next spoke with Collins Hill head football coach Lenny Gregory about celebrating last year’s state championship win, how they plan to replace talented players like Travis Hunter and Sam Horn this season, and new region opponents Dacula and Buford.
Q: Coach Gregory, what is your personal rule on how long you let you, your staff, and players enjoy and celebrate the state championship from last season? All coaches are different about that. How about you?
A: I don’t think there is a right answer to this question, but here is my opinion.
First, last year’s team will be celebrated forever as it goes down as the first team in school history to win a football state championship. We have had some really great events to celebrate with our community, and I have encouraged all our players and coaches to enjoy those opportunities to celebrate last year.
Now, as far as this year’s team, they started their offseason in February, and this year’s team is very focused on being humble and hungry to build another championship at Collins Hill. We have had a good offseason, and our kids don’t ever talk about the championship; they are just focused on keeping the standard the standard.
Q: It’s no secret that you will have a bit of a new look team with the departure of several key members of the teams that played for the state title these last two seasons, including Travis Hunter and Sam Horn. Did spring practice help to answer some of those personnel questions?
A: Yes, and this year’s motto is Next Up. We talk about the opportunity to be the next up player at Collins Hill. We had a ton of great players graduate, but we have a lot of great young players that I am excited to see play this fall.
Q: What are your thoughts on the new look region this season with newcomers Buford and Dacula now a part of Region 8-7A? Do you think it will make for some fun new rivalries?
A: The new region alignment has certainly put us in probably the toughest regions in the state. I really think that being in a tough region and playing good teams in your non-region prepares you to win championships. One of the keys to our success at Collins Hill was playing the tough non-region schedules, which prepared us for our tough region schedules. If you’re going to build a championship program, your players must believe they can compete and win against anyone. We will be really young, but our kids will be prepared to compete with one of the toughest schedules in the state.
Q: There are some good matchups on your 2022 schedule. Can you talk about some of the games, especially a few new opponents that Eagles fans didn’t see last year?
A: This year we will play a schedule against 10 playoff teams and two state champions in Cedar Grove and Buford. We need to have a great summer and stay healthy this season. We have the opportunity to play 10 really great teams that will challenge our young players to grow up fast.
