With every fall comes the thrill of the new football season. Football at North Augusta High School is a vital part of the school year, creating a community that is undeniably close. Every Friday Night, students, administration, athletes, Jacket Regiment members, alumni, and people of the community come out to watch our Jackets. Along with the Jackets taking on a new schedule, they have also faced new challenges of Covid-19, and the new direction of Coach Bryant.
Coach Bryant has joined the Jacket family this year and has taken the program by storm. Not only has he had to face the expected changes of being a new coach, he has had to deal with the unexpected curveball of the Corona virus. He says, “It’s affected us a lot,” and definitely made for a “crazy first year”. Of course, the team is having to take precautions to be safe – Coach Bryant is doing so by “having buckets for every kid with their number. They must bring their own water and masks must be worn. Social distancing is enforced, and busses and equipment must be cleaned.” Fans could see these methods used during the game against Blythewood. Athletes were able to participate safely while playing their hardest. Covid-19 has also affected Coach Bryant’s plan for the season. With a new coach comes all new plays and regimes that must be learned. Practice for the football team was cut short in the spring along with the 2019-2020 school year. Coach Bryant says, “What we are doing now should have been done in the spring.” But luckily, he says we have returning seniors who have done a great job leading and have gotten practice back on track.
The big question on everyone’s mind at the beginning of each football season is “how do you think the team will do this year?” When asked this, Coach Bryant states “We prepare to win. Coaches and staff have done a great job.” He, along with many others, are hopeful for a winning season. Coach Bryant says the team is stacked with a large group of young players consisting of twelve to fourteen sophomores, and one freshman. Unlike North Augusta history, Coach Bryant says he is “Offensive minded. I have called the offense for twenty years.” Coach Bryant has big plans for the future of the program as well. He states “We plan to continue to get better. By overseeing youth on JV, B-team, and middle school we can build to run our offense and defense.” He is doing this by holding clinics for North Augusta’s younger players and coaches to prepare them for high school football.
Coach Bryant said that North Augusta is a “good place, with a good coaching staff and administration. The kids are willing to learn. Overall, a good experience.” Hopefully with the new leadership of Coach Bryant this year, the North Augusta football team will be able to achieve great things.
Photograph: NAHS Football Website
Pictured: Coach Bryant
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