(This is the first in a series of stories highlighting Richmond County’s high school football teams, sharing comments from the county’s media day on Aug. 3)
Coming off last year’s 8-4 season that took the Laney Wildcats to the second round of the playoffs, Coach Ronnie Baker has a few holes to fill.
“We graduated 16 seniors,” said Baker, who brought three sophomore players and one junior to a media day at Westside High School on Aug. 3. “We have eight attending college and playing collegiately. We’ve had kids to go on to play at the next level.”
But Baker isn’t worried.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who are returning this year who should get in to do a good job for us,” he said.
The JV had a good season last year as well. During the off season, players strengthened their games by attending various football camps and testing out their skills against players for higher level programs.
They’ve also been hitting the weight room with everyone putting forth extra effort including their head coach.
“See, I’ve lost some weight,” he said.
The Wildcats will kick off their season at home against the Academy of Richmond County on Aug. 21, and right now, the playing field is level. Everyone is undefeated with hopes of winning every game and making a run for the state title, he said.
He’s taking it one day at a time, one game at a time and one team at a time.
And while he hopes for a return to the playoffs, Baker said the most important part of the program isn’t about titles; it’s about preparing his players for life after high school and after football and instilling them with discipline and a work ethic that will carry them throughout their life.
“You just try to teach them good habits. We always say at Laney High School, we say ‘trust the process; stay true to yourself,’” he said. “Those are the things we’re constantly putting in their head.”
The discipline he demands isn’t just for on the field; it’s at home and In the classroom as well.
Landon Geter, a sophomore, said some of what his coach has told him has spilled over at home. He said he’s picking up the slack at home and stepping up to do more.
And the teens are also developing leadership skills so they can help other players and students, they said.
“As far as what a successful season looks like, it’s just getting these young men to be better people,” Baker said.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named best local writer by readers of Augusta Magazine in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
