With the hiring of new football coach Kevin Saunders, the Touchdown Club set aside a night for questions and answer from parents.
The parents in attendance ranged from current, future and a few from the past players. Coach Saunders took the floor with his philosophy on what he expected from the athletes that will be wearing the Bobcat uniform. Saunders stated that was there not only to build a program that has fallen on difficult times over the past few years but also to help these athletes to become responsible young men. Each player will have his personal phone number and if there is going to be an absence from practice, the player should call and not the parent. In doing this it teaches the athlete to more responsible. A comment that had the parents shaking their heads in agreement, Saunders stated that he was all about competition. Coach Saunders said, ” I don’t care who the player’s parents are or what grade they’re in, the best players will be on the field playing.” “If a freshman beats out a senior for a position, that freshman will play that position.” Saunders also stated that the players are expected to perform well in school and keep up their grades.
In discussing the changes that will be made along with the season schedule, Saunders spoke on the changing of the equipment to Addidas from the current provider. Helmets and shoulder pads will be the first change as an update to the equipment are needed now. The 2019 regular season schedule has been set by the GHSA and has the Bobcats with only four home games and six road games. It was also announced that Dade County and St. Francis High Schools will be home scrimmages for the team this year. The Junior varsity team was also discussed as Saunders confirmed 8-10 sub-varsity games to be played on Thursdays. The Varsity coaching staff will be on the sideline for every JV game and both freshman and sophomores will be a part of the team. The complete list of coaches for the 2019 and beyond Bobcats has not been released and will be updated as soon as information is available.