VHA Eagles Poised for a Resurgence with Senior Leadership and New Direction

VIDALIA, GA – The Vidalia Heritage Academy Eagles are flying into the new football season with a renewed sense of purpose and a wealth of experienced leadership. After a 4-4 season in their inaugural year of GIAA 8-Man football, the Eagles are looking to build on their foundation and make a statement in a competitive region.

The biggest change comes at the top, with Head of School Jeff Mc-Cormick taking the reins as head coach. McCormick is a familiar face to the program, having been a coach since the team's inception a decade ago. He'll also continue his role as Offensive Coordinator, a position he’s held for several years. He's joined by a respected staff, including Bryan Habicht returning as the defensive coordinator, and assistants Blake Adams and Billy Johns who will focus on skill positions and linebackers, respectively. Kevin White will round out the coaching staff, working with the defensive backs.

A key factor in the Eagles' potential for success this year is the large senior class, with nine of the team's 22 players being seniors. McCormick has watched many of these young men grow up, and he's excited to see them step into leadership roles. 'Our big group of seniors have just done such a great job leading this team and really holding all the players accountable,' McCormick said.

He also praised their summer preparations, stating, “We had a great summer. We have a team from Macon that we have been scrimmaging against for the past couple seasons, and we did that again this year. We have looked really good in the weight room again this season, and Leger Curl came back from college where he is playing baseball and really gave the guys a boost of energy. He is such a good kid, and our players responded really well to him and the techniques that he brought from his college experience.”

Offense: A Familiar Face at Quarterback The Eagles' offense will be led by senior quarterback Jake Adams, who is back healthy after an injury leading into last season. Adams, who has gotten bigger and stronger in the offseason, and looks to use that to the offense’s advantage. Mc-Cormick believes Adams has a 'great football mind' and will be the catalyst for the offense. 'The team is just different with him back there as he is also a great leader,' McCormick noted.

In the backfield, the Eagles will rely on the contrasting styles of senior Dylan Green, who brings blazing speed, and junior Trevor White, an All-State linebacker last season who brings a powerful, physical running style.

Out wide, junior receiver Pearson O’Neal will be the main playmaker with his reliable hands and sharp routes. Senior Wayne Richardson will also be a key piece, splitting time between receiver and a tight end position, where his blocking ability will be a major asset in the 8-Man game. The offensive line will be anchored by freshman Aliah Ruballamen at center, a powerful young player who has earned his starting spot. He'll be flanked by two senior guards, the formidable Brannen Brantley (6'4', 265 lbs.) and Grey McNeal (6'1', 235 lbs.), both of whom have shown significant improvement in the weight room.

Defense: Depth and Leadership are the Strengths The defensive line is an area of strength for VHA, with great depth and size. Brannen Brantley will be a force at tackle, while the towering Truitt Jarriel (6'4', 275 lbs.), now healthy after an injury last season, is expected to have a big year. Seniors Jackson Franklin and Wayne Richardson will hold down the end positions, with senior Logan Belcher also expected to contribute significantly. Coach McCormick said of Belcher, 'He is the nicest kid away from the field but just flips a switch when the play starts and has a real nose for the football.'

At linebacker, the Eagles have a trio of hard-hitting playmakers. Trevor White returns after an All-State season in which he led the team in tackles, while Gray McNeal will serve as a defensive leader, making a lot of the calls from the field. Junior Carson Morales was the team's second-leading tackler last year and is primed for another big season.

In the secondary, sophomore Levi McDade, in only his second year of football, has shown great potential at cornerback. The Eagles will also be able to tap into the speed of Pearson O'Neal and Dylan Green for added coverage when needed.

A New Chapter for Special Teams One of the more intriguing developments for the Eagles is their kicking game. McCormick is enthusiastic about the team's ability to kick extra points this season, something that can be challenging in 8-Man football due to the limited number of blockers. Sergi Fontaine, a soccer player for the past two seasons, has joined the team as the new kicker. His strong leg has turned heads at summer camps, and the Eagles hope to use it for touchbacks on kickoffs as well. McDade will serve as the backup kicker.

The Season Ahead

The Eagles are set for a challenging and exciting season, beginning with a tough road test against the defending State Champion, Sherwood Christian Academy, in Albany. This is followed by a home game against a strong Georgia Christian School team. continued from page

Other key matchups include a contest with David Emanuel, and a new rivalry with Citizens Christian, which is new to the football league but has a longstanding rivalry with Heritage in baseball. VHA will play nine games this season, with eight of them being crucial region games. Their only non-region matchup is against Baker County, a public school.

Community: A Foundation of Support The team's community has been a source of unwavering support, particularly after Hurricane Helene. The storm destroyed the school's bleachers and scoreboard, and the community rallied to replace them through donations. This spirit of support extends to all of the school's sports programs, something McCormick is truly grateful for. 'We have such a great community,' he said.

'Our games are all well attended and other schools even comment about how well our fans travel.' He added, ' We have great support from all over. After Hurricane Helene we didn’t have any bleachers, no scoreboard, it destroyed them all. Insurance covered just a small portion of the damage. Everything that you see that has been replaced has come from donations from this community and we can’t thank them enough. And that wasn’t just for our athletic facilities, it was for the whole school. We had roofs that had to be replaced, damage to buildings; what this community did was incredible. The people here just look out for all the kids, whether it be at the public schools or the private ones.'

“We also have a great staff at our school, great parents and community coaches for our players from archery to cheerleading to baseball and football. All our sports have so many people that are involved, it is humbling to see. We really are blessed here.”

With a new coach, a strong senior class, and a supportive community, the Vidalia Heritage Academy Eagles are ready to put their experience to the test and make their mark in the GIAA. 'We have had some fun getting ready for this season,' McCormick concluded. 'We have seen great things leading up to now, and we are excited.”

VHA Seniors – (L to R, Front): Logan Belcher, Sergei Fontaine, Dylan Green, Chuck Page; (Back): Jackson Franklin, Wayne Richardson, Brannen Brantley, Gray McNeal, and Jake Adams.Photo by Mike Branch

VHA Quarterbacks – (L to R): Levi McDade, Jake Adams, and Peyton McLain.Photo by Mike Branch

VHA Running Backs & Receivers – (L to R, Front): Cole Johns, Dylan Green, Carson Morales, Levi McDade; (Back): Chuck Page, Pearson O’Neal, Trevor White, Wayne Richardson, Jackson Franklin, and Peyton McLain.Photo by Mike Branch

VHA Kickers – (L to R): Sergei Fontaine and Levi Mc-Dade.Photo by Mike Branch