Wayne County head coach Derek Chastain spent several seasons coaching against some of the toughest teams in the state and country, and his first year at the helm of the Yellow Jackets is no different. The Yellow Jackets opened up against West Laurens on the road, and the Raiders have been running through opponents. Week two was a tough Brunswick team on the road before the home opener against a resurgent Valdosta was delayed by the residual effects of Hurricane Hermine.
“You have to play the best to be the best,” Chastain said. “We want to take this program to an elite level, and you have to see where you stand against elite programs. Our kids have battled and fought even through probably one of the toughest non-region schedules in the state.”
The challenging non-region schedule full of tough schools, most larger than Wayne County, allows Chastain to see how his team measures up under pressure.
“I was extremely pleased with how Garrett Overholt stepped up when Trenquell Holloway went down against Valdosta,” Chastain said. “He didn’t flinch versus Valdosta and really was the lone bright spot in our game versus Brunswick. He threw the ball well, and our young guys on the perimeter did a nice job as well. Defensively, I believe that the play of Lamont Trent has really stood out in these first three games. Lamont is a junior linebacker that has played very physical and consistent through these first three games.”
During the first half of the season, the Yellow Jackets’ defense has been the strong point.
“Without a doubt our defense is the strength of our team,” Chastain said. “We have to do a better job giving them looks during the week so that it doesn’t take them a series on Friday night to get used to the speed of the game. We have had a few injuries on that side of the ball and hope to get these young men back for region play.”
Chastain has been working with his offensive line, and he has also found a strength and willingness in players that have stepped up to help the line improve.
“We have to be better on the offensive line,” Chastain said. “We are asking these kids to use some techniques that they aren’t used to, but regardless of technique or scheme, we have to be more aggressive. I tell them all the time that you have to play more aggressive than you are. Especially in the trenches. We are slowly but surely getting better up front. We have had to shuffle some people around to put them in spots to help create competition in practice and improve as a unit. Guys have come to the offensive side of the ball that have played their whole career on the defensive side of the ball to help and have had an unselfish attitude about it.”
While the Yellow Jackets haven’t achieved their first win yet under Chastain, the team is getting better every game, and the wins are coming.
“It’s like chopping wood,” Chastain said. “You have to keep swinging, and it’s hard tedious work, but before long that tree is coming down if you don’t quit. I want to see us develop an identity on offense. I want to see our guys continue to work to win the day each day they are blessed with. Don’t let circumstances affect your response to the situations we are faced with.”
ITG Web Content
Getting Closer to Win Number One
Written by John Wood
