Summary of last season:
After falling in their opener to McIntosh County Academy last season, the Herons jumped to a 3-1 record. Their three loses of the season were to MCA, then region 2-AAA foes Pierce and Liberty. The Herons got wins over Charlton, Jeff Davis, Montgomery, Tattnall, Appling and Long. After the halfway point of the season, Brantley County won three out of five games to claim the region’s number three seed and made the state playoffs for the first time since 2006 when current Brunswick Coach Sean Pender was at the Heron’s helm. The Herons eventually fell to Jackson High School in the first round.
The Coach:
Coach Mark Walker is going into his eighth season at Brantley County. After serving in the U.S. Army, Walker joined the staff at McIntosh County Academy as an assistant. He became an assistant at Brantley County High School in 2001 and was named Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach two years later. In 2010, Walker became the Heron’s Head Football Coach. He has spent his entire head coaching career in Nahunta. The past two years he has led Brantley County to winning seasons and a playoff appearance last year.
Outlook for this season?
“It is our goal to play fundamentally sound football and to reach the state playoffs,” Walker said. “2016 was the second time Brantley made the state playoffs. If we make the playoffs this season it will be the first time in school history that Brantley has made the playoffs back to back.”
The Herons would like to see another trip to the post season this year. It will be tough with standout quarterback Mikell Collins gone. However, the Herons have eight starters returning from last year’s playoff team.
Big games this year:
The Herons will face six teams with new head coaches this year. They will open at home against MCA and then host the Charlton County Indians. Then it’s on the road to Richmond Hill for a tough three-game stand to start the season. Then, the Herons host Jeff Davis County and Montgomery County. October brings Region 2-AAA play and the games that count toward the playoffs. They will face off against Pierce, Tattnall, Appling, Liberty and Long in region play this season.
SE-SF-0817-Brantley
Herons Seek Return to the Playoffs
