The 2015 Worth County Rams opened the season with two losses to Fitzgerald and Lee County. However; it is not about falling, it is about how you recover. And the Rams recovered quite well. Including the postseason, they would go 8-2 for the remainder of the year, finishing at 8-4 and advancing to the second round of the GHSA Class AAAA State Playoffs.
Given the motivation within the student-athletes and coaching staff in the locker room, expect that dedication to carry Worth County into another successful year.
“I expect the Rams to continue on the momentum from last season,” said Jason Tone, head coach of the Worth County Rams. “This year’s seniors are really pushing everyone around them to become the best. With great senior leadership, you can accomplish big things.”
Big things seem to be the norm in Sylvester; the Rams left their names at the top of numerous statistical charts. The team’s 21 interceptions on defense set the standard for the state, and fueled by the power of three players earning 1,000 yards or more on the ground, the team also led the state in rushing. Last year’s ending total of eight wins was also the most that the Rams had secured since 1999.
“Last season was a big year for us,” Tone said. “We had a senior group that bought into the hard work and was able to play together as one unit.”
A major strength that bolsters the Rams’ 2016 campaign is their tremendous offensive line. Anchored by seniors Ryan Alligood (6’2”, 270) and Bryan Manuel (6’6”, 310), the team looks to build on a successful 2015 season in which their only region loss came at the hands of the region-champion Bainbridge Bearcats.
“We’ve learned that if we play consistently as a team, we are hard to beat,” Tone said. “Hopefully this year’s team remembers that lesson and grows from it. Our goal every year is to be the most physical and most disciplined team in the region.”
Coach Tone is confident that this year’s team can definitely return to the form that took them so far a year ago. Consistency is key; he believes that, while the coaches provide training and skill development, truly great athletes also have to motivate themselves. He emphasizes this through team competitions during the offseason, stressing the winning and losing aspect of each because, at the end of the day, those are what appear in the final standings.
“If we get better every week, I think that we will have a successful season,” he said. “Our job is ultimately decided by wins and losses, but as a coach you have to do more than just coach wins and losses. You have to teach these athletes to be successful young men.”
Worth County Rams
Constant Improvement Is Key To Building On Recent Success For Rams
Written by James Washington
Photo by Danna Cooper
