Putnam County football officially began the Joel Harvin era on Aug. 25.
Previously at Early County, Harvin was hired in January after previous head coach Shaun Pope retired. The War Eagles went 9-3 and made it to the second round of the Class AA playoffs under Pope in 2022 but were eliminated by Fitzgerald for a second straight year.
Harvin plans to lead Putnam County back to the playoffs, so he’s had the War Eagles working hard since spring camp and throughout the summer. As the season nears, Harvin said he’s ready to see his guys reap the benefits of their hard work.
“We’ve got a lot of young guys that have stepped up and we’ve grown over the summer,” he said. “I’ve asked these kids to learn a new offense and defense. Most of the time when you ask players to learn new things it’s a challenge, but we’ve got a lot of guys that are bought in. They’re here every day. We still have a lot of young guys who are still learning, but they’re coming along like we want them to. It’s just a learning process.”
Harvin and his staff have been impressed with the work ethic of their players, but also how they’ve picked up the new offensive and defensive systems. The Putnam County coaches also admire how their players performed at various camps they attended this summer.
According to Harvin, the War Eagles remain a “work in progress,” but he is encouraged by how things have gone from the first spring practice in May to the end of July.
“From the first day of [fall] practice, I am pleased with where we are. We still have a long way to go, though. The summer has been good, and the kids understood how I wanted things to go. They’ve responded well. We’ve also had a few leaders step up,” Harvin said.
Putnam County had to replace a lot of senior leadership from last season with players such as Jalon Kilgore, DJ Bland, Brayon Farley, Seth Boyer, and Tamarion Peters, among others, all graduating. Each of those former players were huge contributors in 2022.
Harvin believes replacing that leadership and talent can be done, however, he recognizes it will not necessarily be an easy task. Still, he said he’s already seen a few guys “step up.”
“Kaleb Crawford has stood out. He’s been there about every day. Tyson Waller, Zacoree Wallace, Rashod Daniel, and Sharod White, too. Those guys have really stepped up,” Harvin said. “They’re a little bit older now and not [underclassmen] anymore. They are going into their junior and senior years. It’s important for them to succeed. I definitely think they can.”
Crawford, a senior wide receiver and safety, missed all of last year with an injury but is primed to have a stellar campaign for the War Eagles this season. The same goes for a trio of seniors in Waller, White, and Wallace.
Daniel carried a lot of the load last year behind Kilgore and Peters on offense. Out of all the players Harvin mentioned, the junior running back was the most effective last season. He rushed for nearly 600 yards and is looking to be even more productive in 2023.
“We’re going to have to lean on those guys [a lot] to help carry us through the first few games of the season,” Harvin said. “We’ve also got to wait for these younger [players] to get their experience before we’re finally able to really move along.”
The goal for Harvin throughout the offseason was to get his players accustomed to his style of coaching. It seems as if his players have done just that as they started fall camp two weeks ago.
Harvin acknowledged he doesn’t want his team to be judged on its record but on how it grows week by week. He said that growth each week will be a measuring stick for this squad.
“A lot of the time, people only judge a football team by wins and losses, but to me, it’s about our players continuing to get better and better each week, to absorb the experience that so many of our guys need to become better football players,” Harvin said. “We’re going to face adversity at some point throughout the season, whether it be at the start, middle, or end. Our guys need to understand that we’re going to have to push through it.”
Putnam County is likely to face some adversity at the start of the season, just as it did in 2022.
The War Eagles will face Baldwin and Oconee County to open up the season. They played each at home on Al Reaves Field last year, splitting the games, but will face both on the road this time around.
Putnam County is set to begin region competition in Week 4 against Butler. The War Eagles are also predicted to finish second in Region 4-AA behind reigning Class AA state champion Thomson, according to the Georgia High School Football Daily newsletter.
Harvin highlighted he has a lot of respect for the teams on his squad’s schedule, especially during the final three weeks of the season.
Putnam County will face Thomson (Oct. 20 at home), Laney (Oct. 27 on the road), and Washington County (Nov. 3 at home).
“To be in the [same] region with the team that won the state championship [last year] shows how strong it is,” he said. “Obviously, the last three weeks will be some tough games. We have to be ready to play good football. The first two games of the year are also really great teams. So, we’re going to get the experience early.”
Harvin explained how important it is for guys to be playing their best at the end of the year.
“We’re going to get to throw our kids into the fire and get them ready for those last three weeks. Really the last four weeks,” Harvin added. “We need to make sure that they can withstand the physicality of the game, and also be ready to play whenever they are called upon.”