Chris Boyd (80) and Keegan Hughes (29) will both play a vital part in Roswell’s success this season. Hughes led the Hornets with 558 receiving yards last season. Boyd, also a top WR on the team, has already committed to Vanderbilt.

By Jeff Dickinson

Since it first opened its doors in 1949, Roswell High School has been about excellence and tradition. The second-oldest high school in Fulton County, Roswell has excelled academically and athletically for more than 50 years.

Football is one of the programs that has helped form the tradition of Roswell High School. Having won state football championships in 1968, 1970 and 2006, much is expected of the Hornets when football season begins to arrive each August.

Former coaches Ray Manus and Tim McFarlin set high standards for Roswell football. McFarlin led the Hornets to the state playoffs in seven of his 10 years at the school, and helped the team win the state championship in 2006.

When McFarlin resigned following the 2007 season, the school turned over the football reins to defensive coordinator Leo Barker. Barker, a former eight year veteran of the Cincinnati Bengals, was thrown right into the Roswell football fire, and the Hornets struggled through a 5-5 season in 2008.

Disappointing 2008?

And while on the surface, that record may seem like a disappointment for Barker and the Hornets, Roswell’s season could have easily been much different. Roswell lost three games by a combined total of 11 points. Had a few more bounces of the ball gone Roswell’s way, that 5-5 mark could have been 8-2.

Barker didn’t hesitate to answer when asked about the biggest factors in Roswell’s 2008 season.

“Our health was the biggest factor last season,” Barker said. “We had too many key players sitting on the sidelines with injuries last year. We lost our running back in the fifth game and several key offensive linemen.” Starting running back Duvall Smith among the Hornet stars limited by the injury bug. Smith ran for 438 yards and four touchdowns last season, but he only was able to play in five and a half games before he was hit by an injury.

Class of 2010

Senior leadership shouldn’t be a problem for the Hornets in 2009. Barker has 23 seniors on his football roster to try to rebuild from last season’s 5-5 record. The problem is depth. Barker said that an injury to the wrong player could spell doom for the team this year.

“The biggest thing that concerns me as we head into this season once again is health,” Barker explained. “If we lose the right player to injury, we could be in for a long season. That’s why we are trying to practice smarter and minimize the hits that the boys are having to take.”

Two members of Barker’s talented senior class have already signed scholarships with Division I schools. Kicker/punter Richie Leone signed with the University of Houston and wide receiver Chris Boyd signed with Vanderbilt.

Barker said that he is expecting a great deal from Leone and Boyd this year.

“I am very proud of Richie and Chris and it’s great to see their hard work pay off,” Barker said. “I really want to use Richie as more of a weapon this year. Chris is such a hard worker and is one of the leaders of our football program. We are expecting big things from both of them this season.” Leone’s seven field goals last season trailed only Chattahoochee Connor Coon’s 11 for most in North Fulton.

Offensive Firepower

Barker said he is also counting on vital contributions from Roswell’s receiving corps which not only includes Boyd, but deep ball threat Keegan Hughes who averaged 18.6 yards per catch last season. Barker is also expecting a big season from his returning quarterback, Brian Hickman. Hickman was second in the area last season with 15 touchdown passes. The senior also threw for almost 1,650 yards. In addition to Hickman, Barker says that junior J.P. Douglas will also see playing time under center and that he’ll be counted upon heavily to help lead the Hornets.

The running game should be strong once again for Roswell. Smith, now a senior, will be the lead back for the Hornets this season.

Although Barker said that he and the Hornets do have goals of winning the region, he feels like preparation will go a long way in helping the team realize those goals.

“I don’t like to get bogged down worrying about who we are playing each week,” Barker said. “Preparation is the key, and if we are prepared each week, then everything else will take care of itself. We try to teach them that if they take care of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, then Friday will take care of itself.”

2009 Roswel Hornet Roster (Players listed numerically) Brett Beidel, Demetrius Hightower, Zach Allen, JP Douglas, Martez Sumler, Nick Henderson, Austin Gleaton, Jake Finn, Kory Grooms, Davis Turnbull, Ty Long, Rashad Hoyle, Casey Culver, Brian Hickman, Richie Leone, Mitch Seibert, Chad White, Doug St. Amand, Steven Salinas, Andre Gwyn, Damarcus Ingram, Joe Barlett, Thomas Sexton, Andre Robinson, Sam Farmer, Keegan Hughes, Keaston Walker, Brain Chinn, Jacob Fagin, Jarrell Joseph, Matt Deese, Duvall Smith, Garrett Owen, Ben Jones, Drayton Robertson, Conner Slewitzki, Chimezie Umesi, Gavin Guidry, Derek Mendez, Tyler Hoffman, John “Foo” Dorsett, Derek Wolf, Anieken Iteun, Obi Owah, Jessie Adan, Joe Turner, Reggie Love Jr., Taylor Beckman, Marlon Chavarria, Daniel Hunter, Tyler Vral, Panchito Blanco, Alex Porter, Grayson Routt, Kendall Barton, Graydon Campbell, Chris Yeager, Max Navarra, Alex Thomas, Wilson Heres, Harrison Elliott, Ryan McDonald, Chaz Kuzell, Ali Mahdavi, Joe Kinskey, Delano, Swann, Taylor Smith, Josh Smith, Chris Boyd, Johnny Peace, Marshawn Outlaw, Julian Boyd, Dan Staub2009 Roswell Cheerleaders 2009 Roswell Cheerleaders Mandy Marsico, Caroline Garvin, Holly Lewis, Meghan Calhoun, Sydney Hilbert, Maggie Glass, Kiley Kagan, Morgan Thomas, Jordan Hulse, Jenny Hardman, Nancy Padgett, Allison Reece, Jen Blyth, No Longer With Team, Cuream Jackson, Erica Shults, Michele Rier, Taylor Comfort

Dickinson on Roswell

Prediction: Barker stepped into a tough spot last season after the team lost key seniors at several skill positions. In addition, McFarlin’s shoes were big ones to fill since he had led the Hornets to the playoffs in seven of his 10 seasons.

A .500 record is not what Roswell fans are accustomed to. The Hornets have experience at quarterback, running back and the receiver positions. The kicking game should also be solid with Leone. The keys are going to be on the offensive and defensive lines.

If Roswell can stay healthy, look for the Hornets to improve on their record of 2008. A 7-3 mark and another trip to the playoffs is a real possibility in 2009.