A.G. Middlebrooks' recovery is essential

Optimistic preseason banter has never been in large supply with Lincoln County football coach Larry Campbell, but the winningest coach in Georgia high school history has reason for a little gloom in 2009.

Gone is the Red Devils' all-state and almost automatic kicking game. Gone is the starting quarterback. Gone is every experienced member of the offensive line, receiving corps, and defensive secondary.

Worst of all, for the time being, gone is injured running back A.G. Middlebrooks.

Coming off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, Middlebrooks has a stress fracture in his leg and is waiting for clearance from his orthopedic doctor before he can return to the backfield. The senior tailback has sat out all of the Red Devils' preseason practices but has continued working out on his upper body in the weight room.

"It's just a week-by-week thing," Campbell said. "He's a big key to our football team without a doubt. Without him right now we're going to be scuffling."

With 22 seniors graduated from last year's Region 7-A champions, the only strength Lincoln County has to count on is its returning backfield of Middlebrooks and fullback Tavious McGahee. Campbell isn't sure whether his biggest offensive threat will be ready for Friday's season opener at Greene County or if he'll be withheld from the grueling nonregion schedule to get fit for region play. By then, a completely green offensive line should be finding its way.

"The injury to A.G. has got us in a big mope right now, so getting him back ought to be a big boost to our offense," Campbell said.

Until that point, the Red Devils will operate a little differently on offense. Two juniors with limited experience as backups to Bo Reed -- Franklin Sherman and Garrett Mohr -- are competing for the starting job. Three receivers up from the JV squad will try to fill the void left by big-play receiving threat Wilkes Goolsby.

"We will be throwing the football quite a bit and running the offense a little different than the past," said Campbell. "The reason for that is we're just so small up front that we just don't feel like we can line up in the wishbone or I-formation and overpower anybody."

Until the offense gets healthy and grows up, the Red Devils hope that their tradition of strong defense will continue to keep them competitive in the always tough nonregion schedule. But even that will be tested by youth.

"Lincoln County forever has put a lot of emphasis on our defense and depended on our defense for whatever reason and we're counting on it again," said Campbell, who has only linebacker McGahee and defensive lineman Marquis Parks returning on that side of the ball. "With a young secondary it's going to put a lot of pressure on our defense also."

Of all the losses, none may be tougher to fill than the void in the kicking game. It has been a strength and weapon with the strong and accurate leg of all-state placekicker and punter Vance Tarver, but his graduation leaves a gaping hole Campbell hasn't had to worry about for four years.

All of the personnel questions add up to one bigger question: Can the Red Devils continue to reign in Region 7-A? Wilkinson County went as far as the state semifinals last year and returns nearly every starter. Neighboring rival Washington-Wilkes returns a wealth of skill talent to make things easy for new coach Lee Hutto.

"I think it's definitely going to come down to one of those two teams," Campbell said. "We will be doing everything we can to win a region championship, but for the first time in a long time I don't see us being a favorite just because we lost 22 seniors."

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.