4 Questions With Irwin County Football Coach Casey Soliday
We spoke with Irwin County football coach Casey Soliday about his team’s state championship win last season and what fans can expect in 2021.
Q: How long does the celebration of winning a state championship last? Is there a point where you tell the team it’s time to forget about 2020 and focus only on the here and now?
A: It doesn’t last long at all. This year with the championship game after Christmas, we got till school started back, then you have to get those returning players’ minds on next season and start hitting the weight room hard. Then you add the seniors we have to replace, and that forces you to get back to work quickly. You do get that time when the rings come in to get everybody back together and celebrate it one final time with the team.
Q: There are coaches that never win a state championship, and you’ve won two in a row, including 2019 with Buddy Nobles by your side. Do you stop to consider how tough that is?
A: I do not take those for (granted) at all. You never know when you will have that chance again. Take this year: There was at least four other teams that were really good and had great coaches that could have been there with a break or two. You also have to factor in that single-A tends to run more in cycles of athletes, so it could be a few years before you can make that run again. I really appreciate the situation I have been in.
Q: What’s it like to coach your son and to have him play such a big part in winning these titles?
A: It’s awesome, and it’s tough. You can’t help but try and hold them to a higher standard, which really isn’t fair to him. You find yourself getting more frustrated at them than other players sometimes, but then in the end it is so special to be able to celebrate that final win with them.
My oldest son played on a team that lost a championship, and that was really tough, but to get to celebrate winning one with my youngest is awesome. It’s tough to get there, even tougher to do at that same time one of your sons are there.
Q: Looking ahead, you’ve got some holes to fill with the graduation of several key players. Is there an area that’s in better shape than another group?
A: Our offensive line and linebackers should be our strong points. We lost a couple really good players there, but also have the most returning in those spots. Really excited to see which kids will step up and become those household names in Ocilla this year. There is a couple kids that have been waiting for their opportunity because they have been behind some great ones for a couple years. Now is the time to make the most of it.
Written by: Phil Jones
