Irish looking forward to new region
Dublin head coach Roger Holmes sounds excited about the Fighting Irish’s new region competition in GHSA Region 3-2A.
But before the Irish get to those games, they have four non-region games to play, starting Friday at Tattnall County. There are also games against Veterans (home), Wilkinson County (road) and Swainsboro (home) to play before Dublin jumps into region play Sept. 23 against East Laurens.
“We think we’re in good shape, and we’re probably on track overall,” Holmes said about the start of the season. “Our overall team speed is better, and we have good size, but that size is young, so we need some of those young kids to step up.”
Holmes is entering his 15th season with the program, and the Irish have won six games each of the past two seasons after seven the year before that to bounce back from a 2-8 2012 showing.
Senior Ramon Pittman will be a focus for Dublin at running back (and some at quarterback), while the defense will be led by defensive end Steven Linton and get a boost from Issiac Phillips, a linebacker who transferred to Dublin from Wheeler County.
That defense should get a test in the opener as Tattnall County has made the switch from a two-tight end wishbone attack to a four- and five-wide receiver spread attack.
“They have an excellent quarterback, and this might fit their people better,” Holmes said of the Battle Creek Warriors, who won their region title in track and field last season. “Our defense is going to have to be ready to play early.”
The Irish will need to be ready once region play begins. Dublin’s new region also includes Bleckley County, Dodge County, Southwest, Northeast and Washington County.
“It’s going to be a really competitive region, and all the games are about an hour’s drive, so that will help the gate,” Holmes said. “Southwest hung with Mary Persons up there in a scrimmage, and that threw up a red flag for everybody in the region. Dodge County and WACO are what they always are.
“It’s going to be one of those regions that isn’t decided until the final week.”
This story was originally published August 18, 2016 at 2:11 PM with the headline "Irish looking forward to new region."