FIVE 2020 LEADERS
YEAR
RECORD
41-19
2020
7-5
2019
9-2
2018
9-3
2017
8-5
2016
8-4
RUSHING
Harrison Allen
222 carries, 1,240 yards, 11 TD
PASSING
Patrick Shelley
104/174 1,140 Yds, 10 TD
RECEIVING
Thomas Speed
33 Rec. 445 Yds, 4 TD
TACKLES
Harrison Allen
91 tackles
SACKS
Tyler Watkins 5 sacks
INTERCEPTION
Patrick Shelley 5 INT
Tommy Atha ..........................OL
Brent Bell ........................OC/QB
Kevin Hunt .............. AHC/DC/LB
Chantz McClinic ...............RB/LB
Kelly McDurmon ..............OL/LB
Dean Ratledge .................DL/ST
Gavin Lawrence ................DL/TE
Alex Ables ......................WR/DB
Patrick Collier ......................WR
RIGHT TIME.
RIGHT PLACE.
RIGHT PRICE.
GHC GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE
706-802-5000 highlands.edu
PIGSKIN 2021 41
University System of Georgia
VARSITY COACHING
STAFF
ALL TIME RECORD
141-59-1
Historical Info from
Georgia High School Football
Historians Assocation
REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS (10)
2015, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009,
2001, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1981
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS (1)
1998
COACH:
TOMMY
ATHA
20 Years at School
Record: 157-63
Career: 157-63
STADIUM:
Chris
Hunter
Stadium
2020 R E S U LTS
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY 32-7 W
ST. FRANCIS 41-9 W
HEARD COUNTY 30-35 L
HERITAGE (RINGGOLD) 20-7 W
KING’S RIDGE CHRISTIAN 27-0 W
BREMEN 20-21 L
MOUNT PARAN CHRISTIAN 30-28 W
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE 24-31 L
NORTH COBB CHRISTIAN 10-28 L
WALKER 46-7 W
Darlington under the radar?
Will be used as motivation
By Michael Baron
mbaron@npco.com
Darlington enters the fall aiming
to extend its state playoff streak
to 15 years. Tommy Atha, who is
entering his 20th season as head
coach of the Tigers, said he thought
his 2021 group is being overlooked.
“I think we thrive on that. I think
you’ll see our kids play with a chip
on their shoulder,” Atha said. “We
love it when nobody’s really thinking
about us or when we’re not
expected to maybe do as much.
We’ve got a good group of kids.
They’re physical and hardworking
and so we’re extremely motivated
for this football season.”
Last season, the Tigers finished
third in Region 7A Private at 7-5,
falling in the second round of the
playoffs to eventual Class A Private
state champion Prince Avenue
Christian.
“We felt proud of what we were
able to accomplish,” Atha said.
“We felt like it was a successful
year. We had a couple of difficult
region losses that left a sour taste
in our mouth, but we felt like we
responded from those. Overall,
considering the non-region schedule
that we play and the level of
competition in our region and being
able to advance to the second
round (of the state playoffs), we
felt like it was a successful year.”
Although Darlington graduated
just 10 seniors in the spring
(opposed to 18 the year prior),
many played big-time roles such
as Harrison Allen and Davis Watson
among others. Allen was a
two-way starter in 2020.
“Harrison was such a blessing to
have because he was so durable,”
Atha said. “(He would) take every
rep at mike linebacker then turn
around and be the primary ball carrier.
(This year) what we do have
is three or four kids that we have
confidence in, and I think you’ll
see running back by committee.”
The Tigers will feature 12 seniors
this season, including quarterback
Patrick Shelley. Shelley started all
of last season, completing 60.4% of
his passes for 1,174 yards, 10 touchdowns
and two interceptions. He
also garnered 683 rushing yards
with 10 ground scores.
“Pat’s ability to throw the football
was really what expanded so
much last year,” Atha said. “He’s
always been a dynamic athlete and
he’s got the ability to make such
great plays with his feet. He’s not
a kid that has to sit back there
and be stationary. When you get
him out in space and you’ve got to
make a play on him and give him
an opportunity to make an athletic
throw, we’ve always got the
opportunity for explosive plays.”
Atha said the “X” factor for Tiger
success in 2021 will be the lines of
scrimmage.
“I think when you win the battle
up front on offense and defense, I
think that’s where it starts and I
think that puts you at an advantage
or disadvantage,” Atha said.
“That’s where our focus is. We’re
going to try to be as good as we
can up front and then everything
else works off of that.”
Despite the departures of Watson
and Luke Lewis, junior Gatlin
Hancock and senior Chris McCluney
return and will both feature on
the offensive and defensive lines
as Darlington uses a hybrid three
and four-man front.
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