The Douglas County Tigers have a new whistle blower in head coach Jason Respert and a new region as they go into the 2012 season.

This is Respert’s first season as a head coach and, as such, the team may have some growing pains. However, Respert said he and his staff will be focused on improving Douglas County football.

Even though Respert has just joined the program, he said his team has the athleticism to stand with the competition. Respert also said his quarterback, Ellis Richardson, has the potential to be a serious force for other teams to look out for.

“By the end of the year Ellis will be a shocker. You can stack him up against any QB in the state,” Respert said.

Last season, despite a losing season, two players, WR DJ Fluellen and LB Lacurtis Campbell, from Douglas County High were named to the Region 5-AAAA South first team. Six other Douglas County players were named to the second team; DL Brandon Bostic, LB Trae Brown, DB Rayshawd Dixon, OL Bill Shepherd, RB Juanya Smith and TE Elliott Thompson.

Head Coach: Jason Respert, first season as head coach (0-0-0)

Region: 3A-AAAAA

Key Returners: QB Ellis Richardson, WR Anthony Graves, S Nigel Hill, QB Jermaine Burrow, CB Anthony Garner.

2011: 2-8 overall; fifth in the south subregion of Region 5-AAAA.

2012 schedule:

Aug. 31 at Chapel Hill

Sept. 7 South Cobb

Sept. 14 Chattahoochee

Sept. 21 at Warner Robins

Sept. 28 at Harris Co.

Oct. 12 at Langston Hughes

Oct. 19 Westlake

Oct. 26 at Newnan

Nov. 2 East Coweta

Nov. 9 at Tri-Cities