'He's the reason we're so good:' Return of injured star takes Bryan County to next level

Seniors on the Bryan County football team remember the struggles of their freshman season under first-year coach Cherard Freeman, who worked to create a foundation in a year where the team went winless.

Freeman remained steadfast in his approach and Bryan County started to turn things around last year, but star junior Austin Clemons was lost for the season due to injury in Week 4. Nonetheless, the team made big strides — reaching the playoffs and finishing 6-5, the program's first winning season since 2013.

Clemons has come back in a big way for Bryan County as the senior is leading the way as a running back and linebacker for a squad that is off to a 3-0 start.

Bryan County started things out by going on the road to knock off Freeman's alma mater, Lincoln County, 28-16, in the first win over a team ranked in the Top 10 of its classification in the state in school history. The team followed with dominating shutout wins over Treutlen and Wheeler County for the first 3-0 start since 2013.

Clemons has led the way on both sides of the ball as he has rushed for 463 yards (7.7 yards per carry) and six touchdowns, while making 32 tackles, including six for losses, with a sack and interception on defense.

In Week 4 last season, Clemons went down with a hairline fracture of his femur.

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"Austin was there at practice everyday through his rehab staying positive and motivating his teammates," Freeman said. "It was like having another coach. He's a special kid who always says the right things. He cares about his teammates, he's a straight 'A' student who is always well dressed and a 'yes sir, no sir' kind of guy. His parents have done such a great job raising him."

Clemons, who is also a basketball and track and field standout, said it was a tough situation watching from the sideline, although he tried to make the best of it and absorb all he could about the game. Now he's back, playing alongside his close friend and classmate Tanner Ennis, trying to make it a senior season to remember.

"I tried to do the best I could in a hard situation last year where I knew I could have helped us win some more games," Clemons said. "But I believe everything happens for a reason. This year has been great. It was amazing to win that first game at Lincoln County for Coach Freeman because that's his old school. He's a great coach and we wanted it for him. Just being able to play in that game meant so much to me."

He rarely leaves the field, but Clemons said he likes playing running back a little better than linebacker as he uses a strong combination of speed and power.

"When I get the ball, I feel like I can't be stopped," Clemons said. "It's a different feeling, but I also like the contact and stopping people myself at linebacker."

Clemons said he and Ennis have been playing a variety of sports together since they were about seven years old. Ennis was named the Region 3-A Division I Defensive Player of the Year last season and is off to another great start, playing everywhere from cornerback to safety and linebacker for a Bryan County defense that has allowed just the 16 points in that first game at Lincoln County. Ennis leads the team with 35 tackles, including 6.5 for losses, and has four catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns.

"We're really close, Tanner is my Dog," Clemons said. "He's a great player who can play anywhere."

Freeman said the relationship between Ennis and Clemons reminds him of the friendship between the characters Gerry Bertier and Julius Campbell in the movie "Remember the Titans."

"That's how close they are," Freeman said. "And they aren't the type of leaders who are going to get on their teammates. They just set the example to follow by doing everything the right way."

Quarterback/linebacker Sean Kelly Hill and linebacker Luke Holcombe have also been big time contributors to the team this year, along with Chris Winfree, Carlin Covington, Jet Lewis and Jacari Carney.

Bryan County has a bye this week before hitting the road to face Portal (2-0) in a big non-region matchup. Ennis said the team is focused on getting better every week.

"Having Austin (Clemons) back means so much, that was the key piece we were missing last year," said Ennis, who was named the Savannah Morning News Most Versatile athlete last spring. "He's so athletic and tough — he's the main reason we're so good. I think out strength is our physical style of play. Our goal is to win the first region championship in school history, and anything we do after that would be a plus."

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Return of this injured star takes Bryan County football to next level