PSN Spotlight: North Clayton Eagles building off adversity

North Clayton Eagles football preparing for the 2025 season to get underway

With just over a month away from the start of the 2025 Georgia High School Association football season, the North Clayton Eagles returned to summer workouts this past week following dead week and despite warm morning temperatures, Coach Cap Burnett has been pleased with the progress of his players.

"A lot of good reps," Burnett said of his team's efforts in preparing for the start of the season, giving addition praise to the upperclassman for their leadership. "This crew here has been playing since freshman, sophomore year so now it's time to cash in and we've got great leadership," Burnett said of the seniors, including Cayden Burnett, Justin Murphy and London Goss, looking to lead the Eagles to the next step in reaching the playoffs. "Their work ethic has been there," Burnett added.

And now with no more breaks before their first game against McDonough on August 15, the Eagles are not just preparing for Week 1, they are hoping their hard work will get them over the hump and into the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

"This is why we put all the work in from January up until this point. In our group chat, I texted the coaches and texted the boys and said 'hey man, it's time to get back to the grind for the long haul'", Burnett said of his message to his staff and players, emphasizing the importance of understanding they will have their challenges along the way.

"Adversity is going to hit, but like I tell them, go ahead and get acquainted with adversity. Don't run from it, accept it, bring it in," Burnett said of wanting the Eagles to be prepared to face whatever difficult situations may come their way.