Albany Herald

It’s early, but Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson and his Yellow Jackets are looking for a better run in 2012, and the coach hopes former Deerfield-Windsor star Tony Zenon can be a part of it.

MACON — There were splashes, glimpses and moments for Tony Zenon last year.

And they would like to see a lot more this fall at Georgia Tech, where Zenon is now a red-shirt sophomore and on the possible verge of a breakout season.

“Nothing would make me happier than to see Tony Zenon have a big year,’’ said Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson on Tuesday as he sat in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame during the Peach State Pigskin Preview.

The idea is to bring in all the college football coaches in the state to meet with the media and talk about the upcoming season.

It’s early, but Johnson and his Yellow Jackets are looking for a better run in 2012, and the coach hopes Zenon can be a part of it.

Zenon, who was dazzling at Deerfield-Windsor, had 5,684 rushing yards on 650 carries and 65 TDs in his career with the Knights and was The Herald’s 2010 Football Player of the Year as a senior.

He red-shirted his freshman year at Tech, but then emerged last fall when he was given a chance to perform. He had his moments last year, running back kicks and also playing in the slot.

Zenon had one start last season and gained 47 yards on six carries against Middle Tennessee State, and caught a 73-yard touchdown pass on Tech’s first offensive play of the game.

Zenon finished the season averaging an impressive 5.7 yards per carry on 15 attempts, and caught three passes for 104 yards, averaging a whopping 34.7 yards per catch, and scored one touchdown.

He also led the team in kickoff returns with nine, averaging 22.4 yards per return. He caught three passes for 51 yards, including 12-yard TD in Tech’s spring game.

Those are the kind of numbers that have Johnson and Georgia Tech looking forward to this season.

“It would be great to see him have a good season,’’ Johnson said. “He’ll play the slot for us (this year). And he did a good job running back kicks for us. He’s an exciting player.’’