The 2016 football season wasn’t a season to tweet about for Jordan Vocational High School. The Red Jackets posted a disappointing 0-10 record, but head football coach Justin Newman has his first season jitters settled and a positive outlook for this year.
Newman was late coming on board at Jordan. He joined the staff at the school in May of last year and attributes some of the struggle his team experienced to rushed adjustments.
“Last year was a learning year for everyone, especially myself,” said Newman. “It was very hard starting out, but I believe we have found things needed to be successful at Jordan.”
Jordan is one of the oldest high schools in Columbus and has produced notable teams and athletes back in the day. The athletic department is on a mission to gain respect as contenders in every sport. Newman has bought into that notion and is pushing it to his athletes as well.
There is no doubt the Red Jackets have ability. In fact, Newman sees the team’s greatest strength as athleticism. It may seem like an uphill battle to come back from a gloomy 0-10 season, but there are some rays of hope.
The team’s leading rusher for the 2016 season was Aaron Maxwell (HB). He is one of three seniors returning for the offense. The other two are Antonio Williams (OL) and Jaquan Crawford (HB/LB). Junior Emmanuel Mann rounds out the list of veteran players.
Quentin Duke (DB) was the Red Jackets’ leader in tackles on the season. He is a senior this season and will be joined on the defense by returning starters Demetrius McCrary (DB) and Golden Strawther, III, (LB/DE). Both are seniors and all three should provide stability and leadership for the Jordan defense.
Despite their losing 2016 record, several Red Jackets generated some interest from colleges looking to fill slots in their programs. Among those garnering attention among the starters are Mann, Maxwell, Duke and Strawther. Also on the list of college prospects are seniors Austin Bedsole (OL), 6’6” and 320 lbs., and Kaleb Smith (DB). Juniors making that list are Hunter Dupont (OL), 6’3” and 275 lbs., and D’Quandre Sullivan (LB).
Newman was one of several new area coaches to stand on the sidelines last season. He has 11 years of experience in coaching and is a Columbus native. He is looking to improve his team’s performance this season with discipline and focusing on the little things that caused problems last season.
There are no coaching changes for the Red Jackets, but Newman has changed his goals for his team a bit from last season. For 2017, Newman has set three goals of a winning season, securing a playoff appearance and 100 percent graduation rate.
According to Newman, their biggest challenge for the upcoming season isn’t lack of talent, inexperienced players, or a tough schedule. Instead, he feels the greatest challenge facing his team for 2017 has more to do with the mental than the physical.
“Defeating the past,” he said.
Going forward, Newman is appreciative of the support he and his athletes receive from their fan base. Losing doesn’t do wonders for the morale of a team or for supporters, but the Red Jackets Nation haven’t given up.
“The support is there, we have just got to show them that we are trending in the right direction as a program,” said Newman.
And just how does Newman plan on doing that?
“Creating a culture,” he said. “By implementing things that were hard to implement last year by getting to school in May.”
Columbus Valley/Fall Football Preview/August 2017
Jordan High School
Columbus, GA
By Beth Welch
