Coach Edwards rallies troops at Houston Co.

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — Coach Jeremy Edwards and the Houston County Bears will begin spring football practice on May 4 on the countryside. The Houston Bears will have their spring practices for nine days before completing their “Black and Silver” inter-squad spring game. Houston County’s “Black and Silver” Spring Game will take place on the evening of May 19.

Coach Jeremy Edwards has come into the countryside, beginning the reconstruction of a winning culture. Edwards has the Bears focused on family and academics, and the newly implemented core values for the Houston County Football Team are: Energy, Toughness, Discipline, Family and Competition.

The Edwards era in “Bear-Down” country officially began on the first Monday of January. The Houston County Board of Education voted on the coaching change at a board meeting in late October of 2021.

Reminiscing on the past: On November 11, 2021, Edwards coached in his second consecutive GHSA State Championship Game. After claiming the class 5A State Title, Edwards accepted the position as the new head football coach of the Houston County Bears. This officially ended the Ryan Crawford era and a new beginning for HOCO.

With HOCO and Crawford in the past, Edwards has brought his offensive mindset to the countryside. As the offensive coordinator for Warner Robins, Edwards led the powerful Demon offensive attack to consecutive championship seasons. Prior to coaching at “War-Town,” Edwards was the offensive coordinator of the Cairo High Syrupmakers.

His time at Warner Robins was filled with electricity and high scoring. In 2021, the Warner Robins offense averaged 48 points per game under his leadership, with the Demons finishing 14-1. Also as the offensive coordinator, Edwards was 40-4 at Warner Robins.

“I am excited to get started here at HOCO,” Edwards said. “I am also excited to bring in a new coaching staff, as we began work on January 3.”

Edwards hopes to bring the same winning culture back into “Bear-Down” country. The HOCO Bears finished 4-7 last season under Ryan Crawford and lost to Evans in the first round of the GHSA State Playoffs. Coach Edwards and the Bears are also hosting a few community events.

On May 7, there will be a Moms Clinic hosted by the HOCO Bears at 10 a.m. at Houston County High School. On May 14, the HOCO Bears will host their Reverse Raffle event at Rigby’s at 6 p.m. On May 23-25, the HOCO Bears are hosting their Youth Camp at Freedom Field.

HHJ News