After consecutive region championships in 2014 and 2015, the Irwin County Indians are diligently working toward a return to that status.
2015’s D.J. Pollard and 2016’s Tristan Billingsley have graduated to the college ranks, but new leaders are emerging and coming into the spotlight for the Indians. A senior-led offensive backfield will provide experience, talent, and direction in their 2017 campaign. Quarterback Will Stephens returns with the help of running back Steven Thomas, but D.J. Lundy and Jamal Paulk will offer sophomore support for the run game.
Defensively, Thomas also returns as the leader of the secondary, and senior linebacker D.J. Young is flanked by young but experienced outside linebackers in Jay Stanley and Eric Anderson. Play within the trenches will need the most improvement on both sides of the ball, but a formidable schedule won’t allow for much of a learning curve.
Buddy Nobles enters into his fourth season with the Indians of Ocilla, amassing an overall record of 29-10-2 to date. In his still young tenure, Nobles holds winning records over every opponent on their regular season schedule except for rivals Fitzgerald (0-3) and Clinch County (2-2), so 2017 will be yet another opportunity to move positively toward Irwin County’s pursuit of the school’s second state title.
In the Game Magazine / South Georgia / August – September 2017
Irwin County Indians
Perseverance and Adaptation Crucial for Indians’ Season
Written by Cole Parker
Photos by Wenda G Bailey Photography
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