DeKalb County High School Head Football Coach Michael Shaw is establishing a new program identity centered on toughness and discipline as he transitions into his first season leading his alma mater.
Coach Michael Shaw said the opportunity to lead the program where he attended school holds a special place in his heart. Shaw said he is focused on carrying on the legacy of former coach Steve Trapp while implementing his own specific vision for the team.
“When I got hired, I kind of staked my claim on just being tough, disciplined, and together,” Shaw said. “Trying to get everybody to just really buy into being a good teammate first and foremost, and if they love each other and they’re being doing everything they can to be good teammates, that’ll translate to the field because they’ll give everything they have to make sure that the person next to them is successful just like they’re successful.”
Shaw said the offseason program prioritized physical development for a large group of sophomores expected to compete for playing time. Shaw said these younger athletes must be prepared for the speed and physicality of a difficult 4A region schedule.
“We had several freshmen that got to play last year and a few that were, you know, right on the verge of playing,” Shaw said. “And just getting those guys to take another step forward and let our middle school and our young youth program know that, you know, when they get to high school, there’s an opportunity for them to play and if they keep working hard and show up with the right mindset that it doesn’t matter what grade you’re in, you have a chance to play if you’re developed far enough and just trying to get all those guys to stay in the program as long as they can, starting in whenever they start, eight or nine years old, and just continue to build and just be excited to be a part of DeKalb County football.”
Shaw said the roster features several returning starters who will serve as anchors on both sides of the ball. Shaw said linebacker Tucker Webb returns as a two-year starter to lead the defense, while senior Jesse Foutch is expected to start at both quarterback and defensive back.
“We have several a couple guys on the offensive line, senior Hunter Baloo and junior Aiden Summers,” Shaw said. “They both started last year and they’re looking to anchor the offensive line. And then another rising he’ll be a junior this year, Eli Jones, he started at nose on the D-line for us and he’s a really really big player in the middle right there, just kind of anchoring that defensive line.”
Shaw said the team also expects significant contributions from sophomore Reed Midget at running back and linebacker, as well as receiver Levi Cripps. Shaw said the program values student-athletes like rising junior Hunter Locklear who demonstrate a strong work ethic in the classroom and on the field.
“He’ll be a rising junior, always shows up every day and works his works his tail off and, you know, does the best he can in the classroom and really good student there and just you never hear a whole lot out of him, he just shows up and puts in the work and I think this year it’s probably going to pay off for him,” Shaw said.
Shaw said the process of taking over the program has been an exciting experience as he prepares for the upcoming challenges of the season.
“I, you know, went to school there, and so it definitely holds a special place in my heart, and just being able to try and carry on the legacy that Coach Steve Trapp has built there at DeKalb County and to continue that success has been a wild ride and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Shaw said.
