Sports
Marietta Hitmen Kick Off Season Saturday
Joseph Courson has been named Hitmen head coach. He is a graduate of Sprayberry High School and was quarterback on the varsity football team from 1988-89.
Starting quarterback Lacey Herring had never heard of the Marietta Hitmen, a third-year semi-pro football team.
When first-year Hitmen coach Joseph Courson contacted him, Herring assumed he wanted him to help coach the team.
“Honestly, when Coach Courson asked me to play with them I was skeptical at first because I had never heard of the team and I thought he wanted me to coach,” Herring said. “But, I looked at some of the players and I started throwing it to the receivers and I wanted to play with these guys.”
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Once Herring sized up the potential of the Hitmen, the 25-year-old eagerly joined the Marietta squad. Herring’s commitment to the team is evident as he drives an hour from Calhoun to practice with the team. Hitmen players range in age from 18 to 35 years old, with the bulk 25 and under.
After going 4-2 last year, Marietta will open its third season against the Alabama Bengals at noon Saturday at Osborne High School. Family-friendly live entertainment, music and games will begin when gates open at 9 a.m.
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The Alabama Red Devils and Alabama Avengers will play next in the Kickoff Classic at 3 p.m. The Atlanta Rattlers will close out the National Developmental Football League triple-header when they play the Alabama Steelers at 6 p.m. All-day tickets are $8. Courson said the NDFL aims to be the equivalent of college-level football.
Coach Courson played quarterback with Herring last season for the North Georgia Bulldogs. Courson, 39, said he’s glad to have Herring leading Marietta’s West Coast offense. Herring threw approximately 15 touchdowns last season for the Bulldogs in the summer United South Football League. The previous year with the Bulldogs, the 6-foot, 210-pounder threw for 2,450 yards and 27 TDs.
“Lacey is amazing,” Courson said. “He has the strongest arm of someone that can throw it deep at this level. They call him ‘The Rifleman.’ I’ve seen him throw the ball 75 yards in the air. This kid’s got an amazing arm. … I’m not a traditional (offensive) team. We do all kinds of things. We run the I-(formation), the spread, but the majority of our game is West Coast. My hero growing up was Joe Montana.”
Herring’s receivers include speedy deep threat Ralph Scott, possession receiver Travis Ledbetter and slot receiver Jordan Ainey. In his first year playing semi-pro football, former New Orleans resident Ainey said he’s been impressed by Coach Courson and the team’s play. Marietta topped the heavily favored and higher division Georgia Buccaneers on a last-second 45-yard field goal by Matt “Ricky Bobby” Brownlow to win its final preseason game 10-7 Sunday.
“When (Courson) stepped on the field I had total respect for him, he has so much energy and discipline,” said Ainey, 24, who moved to Atlanta in 2006. “He teaches you so much about the game. … Every time I step on the field I learn something new. I actually look forward to going out there. I really like Coach Joseph. He actually practices with us.”
Of the 35 players currently on the Marietta roster, Courson believes 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end Roger Wilson has the best chance to possibly play in the NFL. The 22-year-old, who runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, also will also get some snaps at fullback to open holes for running back Joe Davis. Davis averages about 7 yards per carry.
“I’ve been around a lot athletes and he stands out,” said Courson, who can still throw a football 68 yards. “He constantly takes care of himself and he’s a natural. If you saw him, he looks like (Atlanta Falcon) Tony Gonzalez and to have a guy like him on my team ... his attitude is a plus.”
Curtailing some of the bad attitudes that once were common on the Hitmen has been the biggest change players have noticed Courson has brought to the team since he was named head coach six weeks ago. In fact, Courson said he kicked off one of the team’s best players when the player wouldn’t stop using profanity.
“I’ve got two rules, the first one is show class at all times and the second rule is discipline, know what your assignments are,” Courson said. “I’m just trying to build character all the time. … We’re representing Marietta, Ga. My family comes to the games and other families come to the games and whatever we demonstrate must be in the most utmost (professional) way.”
The Marietta Hitmen are slated to play a 12-game schedule with half of those home games at Osborne. Home games will generally start at 8 p.m. Saturdays.