Lions seeking playmakers

In his 27th year as a football coach, Mark Fleetwood led Peachtree Ridge to the 2011 Class AAAAA playoffs in his first year as head coach of the Lions.

“I thought we had a good team and a good chance to win,” said Fleetwood. “That was no surprise to me.”

Some of the players the Lions lost from last year’s team include Ray Buchanan Jr. (Arkansas), Alex Gray (App. State), and D’Aron Hill, all starters in the defensive secondary. Despite needing to replace the entire secondary, the Lions looked strong up front during spring practice. Fleetwood’s plans for the moment are to rely on the front before the secondary gets up to speed.

“Defensively the front seven stood strong against the run (this spring),” said Fleetwood. “The secondary made some plays, and they are getting better.”

The defense returns several standouts from a year ago, including DT Tony Porter, OLB Devin Davidson and WLB Dorian Pogman. Myron Burton will see some time at defensive back this year.

Offensively, the Lions have a few players competing to replace quarterback Billy Best and running back Diandre Atwater. Of the four quarterbacks angling for the starting job, Fleetwood says Bryson Sellers and Ryan Inman have stood out thus far. In the race to replace Atwater, a Princeton Tiger who appeared on the 2011 Score 44 list, Walden Davis and Jordan Ellis are looking strong according to Fleetwood.

Coach Fleetwood is enthusiastic about this year’s offensive line with returning star Daniel Stephens and massive newcomer Orlando Brown leading the way. He believes the line is one of their strengths.

Wide receiver Joe Horn Jr. could help out any quarterback under the center. The 5-foot-10 receiver is the son of former New Orleans Saint and Atlanta Falcon Joe Horn, and the younger Horn has been offered by UCLA and Southern Miss. “He is definitely a leader and an example,” said Fleetwood. “He also has a lot of speed.”

The Lions kicking game should once again be a big weapon for the Lions. Connor Rouleau returns to handle the kicking and punting duties. Rouleau was named Region 7- AAAAA punter of the year in 2011.

“He can kick into the end zone on kickoffs,” said Fleetwood. “He averages about 43 yards per punt.”

Fleetwood will need to find the playmakers in the hurry, though, as the schedule is not kind. Peachtree Ridge will open the 2012 season at the Georgia Dome against Camden County as part of the Corky Kell Classic. The Lions also compete in one of the state’s toughest regions with teams such as North Gwinnett, Collins Hill and Norcross headlining Region 7-AAAAAA.