Last year, the North Cobb Warriors made history when they won a playoff game for the first time since 1959 and made an appearance in the Class AAAAAA semifinals. A couple of the Warriors’ signature wins were a 49-17 thumping of 2011 state runner-up Walton early in the year and a dominating 42-14 win over Valdosta in the first round of the playoffs.
Last season was a year in which the Warriors were coming off a 5-6 2011 campaign. So what caused the turnaround? The offense was virtually unstoppable all season as they scored 41 points per game. Junior quarterback Tyler Queen, who recently committed to Auburn, spearheaded the spread offense, passing for 2,398 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing with 918 yards and 19 touchdowns.
“Tyler has a lot of experience,” head coach Shane Queen said about his son and QB. “He has started 25 games for us.”
Along with Queen, there will be three starters returning on offense including running back J’Vonte Herrod and center Ernie McQuade. Both Herrod and McQuade were All-Region 4-AAAAAA players.
One of the things that concerns Queen is making sure the offensive line is set so Tyler and the rest of the skill players can make the plays they did last year.
“We lost four starters on the offensive line,” Shane said. “We have to get the new guys ready before the season starts.”
That’s not the only position where the Warriors have to rebuild. Nine starters on defense are gone from last year, and it was a unit that pitched two shutouts and surrendered two touchdowns or less in eight games.
“We have some big shoes to fill on defense,” Queen said. “Strong leadership is the key to our success.”
One of the leaders of the defense will be defensive back Cameron Albright, a North Carolina commit. Albright tallied 43 tackles and four interceptions last year. He also played on offense and recorded 21 receptions for 295 yards and four touchdowns. Another player to watch on defense is linebacker Jalil Kuku who recorded 87 tackles, 9.5 sacks and one interception last year. Kuku can also play running back and received an offer from Kennesaw State back in May.
Cornerback Latrell Gibbs is another Warrior who was offered by KSU in May. Gibbs was a First-Team All-Region corner last year, but he can also play wide receiver and running back. Gibbs has also received an offer from Furman and a non-scholarship offer from Mercer.
The road to the Georgia Dome will not be an easy one for the Warriors this upcoming season. They will host Starr’s Mill on Aug. 30 and will travel to Walton the following week. The month of October will get tougher as they will face South Cobb (one of the three teams to beat the Warriors last year) on Oct. 4, Hillgrove the following week and McEachern on Oct. 18.
Queen, who was the Region 4 Coach of the Year in 2012, thinks that if the chemistry is right, the Warriors can be at the Georgia Dome in December.
“The biggest thing for us is to build team unity,” Queen said talking about how they can take the next step. “That’s how we can build on the success from last season.”
Class AAAAAA Preseason Top 10
1. Norcross
2. Colquitt County
3. North Gwinnett
4. McEachern
5. Lowndes
6. North Cobb
7. Mill Creek
8. Walton
9. Lovejoy
10. Peachtree Ridge
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