A surface analysis of the Hephizbah football team may lead one to conclude that the Rebels are poised to take a step back in 2023.
After graduation departures of two of the team’s most dynamic offensive weapons in quarterback Jalen Patrick and wide receiver Eric Grant, and after seeing those two — along with then-junior running back Telly Johnson — lead Hephzibah to a winning record and first playoff appearance since 2018, it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear people assume the Rebels can’t duplicate or improve on their 2022 season.
But head Coach Daniel Dorsey says, not so fast.
“I feel like we’re going to put together a very complete team this year,” Dorsey said. “I know we lost some pieces from previous years, but we’ve also had some guys who have been a part of the program and have just been waiting their turn.”
One of those guys is junior quarterback JJ Gant. Dorsey has pegged the 5-foot-10 signal caller as “next man up” behind center, and will likely get the start Friday when the Rebels host Westside at 7:30 p.m.
He won’t come into the task completely green, however. Gant led Hephzibah’s junior varsity team to the championship game during his freshman year. Last year as a sophomore, he directed the JV squad to a title. He even got a start last season when the Rebels defeated Salem 37-6.
In that game, Gant completed five of nine passes for 62 yards and a score while also rushing for 29 yards on five carries. That night, running back Telly Johnson was the bell cow, toting the ball 16 times for 184 yards and a score. But Gant showed enough in that start, along with his other action, to give Dorsey confidence.
“That’s the best thing about when you build an actual program,” Dorsey said. “That’s what we’ve been trying to do during my four years here, so that when we someone does graduate, we’re not scratching our heads like, ‘I don’t know what we’re gonna do.’ JJ is ready. He’s the next one up. He’s been patiently waiting for the opportunity.”
Dorsey’s not only excited about his new starting quarterback’s potential, but he’s also elated about the support Gant will have around him.
“We have a strong senior group of players scattered all over the field,” Dorsey said. “We have some skill guys and some guys up front who have come on the scene and have made a difference. Obviously Telly Johnson is the big name that pops up around here, but we’ve got other guys like Lamar Daniels and (wide receiver) Deonte Singleton who’s been steady and making plays the last four years starting as a freshman himself.
“Guys like Maurice Boyd, Devonta Dowdell, Marcus Kohn and Brian Bailey up front. These guys have been in the program and are doing all the little things right. They came in with me and that’s all they know. They’ve bought into it, and I think that’s why you’ll see a team that’s even more complete this year than in times past.”
As far as Gant goes, Johnson is actually one of his biggest fans on the team. Johnson, a 6-foot, 215-pound tailback who rushed for 1,205 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior, knows he has been elevated to the offense’s most dynamic weapon. And while some may expect the Rebels to ride Johnson’s coattails more in order to give the new quarterback time to settle in, Johnson believes Gant will make a major splash immediately.
“I actually think he’s gonna be great for us this year,” Johnson said. “After playing behind JP, he’s picked up on a lot of things that JP does, and he continues to just try and lead us in the right direction. I actually think JJ’s going to take advantage of this opportunity and show that he can run the show just as well if not better.”
As for Johnson himself, he says he feels no extra pressure to perform, now that he has a bigger target on his back.
“Nothing has changed with me personally, even though I know my role is going to increase,” Johnson said. “Just like I did last season, I’m going to continue to play hard for my teammates and try to be the best example on and off the field that they’ll hopefully follow. I’m not competing to be a starting player. I’m just trying to be the best teammate I can be.”
Dorsey said he’s discussed how things may be different for his tailback this year while wearing the distinction of being one of the area’s best players.
“We had this conversation at the end of last season and in the offseason,” Dorsey said. “I told him, ‘I can go ahead and tell you that your name and accolades and all of that is going to be out there. The question is, what are young going to do with it? Are you going to lead the team the right way, or make it all about me?’ And he’s definitely been leading the right way.”
That’s because Johnson understands that people expect a lot out of those who do a lot.
“I know the expectations are raised, and I’m definitely up for the challenge,” he said.
Perhaps the biggest challenge for the Rebels as a team is figuring out how to close out close games. None of Hephzibah’s five losses in 2022 were by more than two scores, which means it showed it can compete against any team on its schedule.
Team chemistry and cohesion is what Dorsey believes can help this year’s bunch get over the hump.
“It’s going to be us playing as a team, binding together in the good times and the bad, no matter what,” he said. “Trusting each other, communicating so we’re in the right spots and just doing the right things. I think it’ll happen because I’ve seen more togetherness with this team than any since I’ve been here.”
Johnson says you can chalk that up to another benefit to program buy-in, particularly from the seniors.
“The standard in our program since coach Dorsey has been here is winning every game one at a time,” he said. “And by doing that, the plan is to win the region and clinch a playoff spot early. We want it all, and we just know the work that comes along with that.”
