The following is an excerpt from the July 29 edition of the Georgia High School Football Daily, an e-mail newsletter compiled by longtime Georgia high school football writers Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye:
Region Preview: 5-AAA:
What it is: With the addition of new schools Arabia Mountain and Johns Creek, 5-AAA becomes the state’s largest region with 16 teams. They schools are split into subregions of teams from DeKalb and Fulton counties, except that St. Pius, a private DeKalb schools, plays with the Fulton teams. The subregion winners from the regular season play each other in the final week to determine the No. 1 seed. The second- and third-place teams play in the final week to determine the final two playoff teams.
Defending champion: Dunwoody
Best player: RB Cole Moon, St. Pius
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
Division A
#7 Dunwoody (12-1, 6-0)
McNair (6-4, 5-1)
Cedar Grove (6-4, 4-2)
Columbia (5-5, 3-3)
Druid Hills (4-6, 2-4)
Clarkston (2-8, 1-5)
Towers (1-9, 0-6)
Division B
St. Pius (9-2, 6-0)
Washington (7-4, 5-1)
Carver, Atlanta (6-4, 4-2)
Grady (7-3, 3-3)
North Atlanta (5-5, 2-4)
Riverwood (3-7, 1-5)
Therrell (0-10, 0-6)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
Division A
Cedar Grove (3/6)
McNair (2/3)
Dunwoody (3/2)
Columbia (5/5)
Druid Hills (10/9)
Towers (7/7)
Clarkston (3/3)
*Arabia Mountain (N/A)
*New school playing a non-region schedule
Division B
Grady (9/9)
St. Pius (4/8)
Washington (N/A)
Carver (3/5)
Riverwood (7/7)
North Atlanta (6/7)
Therrell (7/7)
*Johns Creek (N/A)
*New school playing a non-region schedule
TEAM BY TEAM
Division A
Arabia Mountain Rams
City: Lithonia
County: DeKalb
Coach: Christopher Beal
Drawing from: M.L. King (20 percent), Lithonia (20 percent), other DeKalb schools (60 percent)
Notes: Arabia Mountain will have no school district boundaries and will draw countywide through its magnet programs in medical, environmental and engineering. Students from M.L. King and Lithonia will be granted more slots than other DeKalb schools because Arabia Mountain was opened to relieve them, but the percentages listed are very loose estimates. Coach Christopher Beal was the defensive coordinator at Johnson (Savannah), which experienced a big turnaround last season.
Cedar Grove Saints
2008 record: 6-4, 4-2 (third in subregion)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Ray Bonner (25-35 in six seasons)
Offense: Multiple spread (coordinator: Jermaine Smith)
Defense: Miami 4-3 (coordinator: Henry Mabry)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: DL Jamel Dobbs
Other top players: DT/OT Lamar Terry, LB Demarcus Gist, LB Corey Moore, CB James Hugley, S Damian Goggins, TB/CB Tamarcus Wilcox, WR Vincent Dallas
Key losses: RB William Pratcher (Middle Tennessee), DT Vincent Bass (Troy), OT Warren Mason (Savannah State), QB Stanley McBride (Albany State), OG Terrick Ransom (Savannah State), OT Sam Johnson (Arizona Western)
Outlook: Cedar Grove might be the only team in Class AAA that lost two players with more than 2,000 yards of total offense. They are RB William Pratcher (2,010 yards rushing) and QB Stanley McBride (1,002 rushing, 1,053 passing). Four other players signed college scholarships, and only three starters return on an offense that ranked fourth in Class AAA in scoring at 34.6 points per game. But coach Ray Bonner says he has as many college recruits this season and feels his team can be about as good if a young offensive line develops. It helps that two starters from Columbia have transferred in – QB Willie Favors (who has started since he was a freshman) and S Demario Dixon. Bonner has three backs that he hopes can team up to replace Pratcher. RB/WR K’lon Dobbs is being recruited by Ole Miss, and sophomore Marlon Coley is a 10.8 sprinter in the 100 meters. DL Jamel Dobbs has committed to Tulane and might start on both lines. It’s a talented team. If it can block, the playoffs are looming.
Clarkston Angoras
2008 record: 2-8, 1-5 (sixth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 3-7
Coach: James Rollerson (2-18 in two seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Corey Rumley)
Defense: Multiple 50 (coordinator: James Rollerson)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 3 on defense
Best player: DB Andre Pryce
Other top players: QB/DB Bryan Douglas, R/QB/S Darius McGuire, LB/RB Joshua Sealy, OL Curtis Samuel, LB/FB Antonio Kohn
Key losses: LB Terrance Gaddy, RB/DB Melvin Whitlock (Shaw University), DB/R Wilmont Stubblefield
Outlook: James Rollerson has spent 15 years at Clarkston, the past three as head coach, and said he’s never been more excited about a season. Only six starters return, but the Angoras have more young talent and character than usual, in Rollerson’s estimation. One such youngster is LB/FB Andrew Kohn, who led the team in sacks (five) as a freshman. Another is LB Joshua Sealey, the third-leading tackler last season. Sealey and DB Andre Price are Division I prospects. The offense will need work. QB Bryan Douglas will try to improve an offense that was next-to-last in the region in scoring (10.7 points) and lacked a rusher with 600 yards.
Columbia Eagles
2008 record: 3-3, 5-5 overall (fourth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Mario Allen (first season)
Offense: Multiple spread (coordinator: Mario Allen)
Defense: 3-5 (coordinator: Kevin Hill)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: DE/TE Tank Sessions
Other top players: WR/DB David Wray, LB Demarcus Shroud, LB Deandre Walker, DB Dimario Jones, RB Kenno Loyal, LB Rodriguez Bussey
Key losses: QB Willie Favors (transferred to Cedar Grove), RB Nathaniel Anthony, S Demario Dixon (transferred to Cedar Grove), WR/DE Deandre Lauderdale
Outlook: New coach Mario Allen is a former conference-winning quarterback at Florida A&M who has had several stops the past 10 years, some in the college ranks. He’s changing the offense to a spread, which should be a challenge because the Eagles have been a run-oriented team. In 2008, RB Nathaniel Anthony rushed for 1,315 yards and Brian Holloway ran for another 975, but they’ve graduated. Allen is confident the team is better because he has changed the team’s practice routines and believes his players are putting in good effort at every practice and workout. He’s got a major talent to build around in DE/TE Tank Sessions (42 tackles, 12 for losses, eight sacks), who is being considered for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The new quarterback is Travis Elesby, and sophomore Kenno Loyal, who played as a freshman, should be the feature back. On defense, the top five tacklers from last season were underclassmen. LB Deandre Walker (68 tackles) was the leader.
Druid Hills Red Devils
2008 record: 4-6, 2-4 (fifth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 1-9
Coach: Kip Hall
Offense: Multiple I formation (coordinator: Kip Hall)
Defense: 50 (coordinator: Mark Adams)
Starters returning: 10 on offense, 9 on defense
Best player: WR Byron Dickerson
Other top players: WR John Foster, RB Deantrez North, FB Fouke Gordon-Lamar, TB Desmond Towns, TE Brandon Harrison, OL/DL Joseph Ray, LB Stephen Brown
Key losses: QB Jay Cromwell, DB/WR Marcel Baugh (Wooster)
Outlook: The 4-6 finish in 2008 was the school’s best since 1999, and virtually everyone returns. The main loss is QB Jay Cromwell (1,640 yards passing). It will force coach Kip Hall to turn to the run. He’s got a couple of young quarterbacks he’s trying to develop. If they don’t pan out, don’t be surprised to see WR Byron Dickerson (48 receptions, 596 yards) move to the QB spot. Hall has several running backs he can count on, including Deantrez North. Hall calls him a sleeper. On defense, LB Stephen Brown led the team with 91 tackles last season. The next three leading tacklers were sophomores. “It’s going to be a good story if we do what we think we can this season,” Hall said. That would be a playoff berth. Druid Hills last made the postseason in 1985.
Dunwoody Wildcats
2008 record: 12-1, 6-0 (region champions)
Playoffs: Lost to LaGrange 20-5 in the quarterfinals
Average record this decade: 5-5
Coach: Michael Youngblood (first season)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Thomas Sheehan)
Defense: 3-3-5 (coordinator: Kelly Davis)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 2 on defense
Best player: FB/DB Dalen Claytor
Other top players: DL/OL Rashad Williams, WB Will Crochet, PK/P Austin Breed, LB/OL Trae Lazenby, OL Carlos Brothwell
Key losses: RB Treavor Scales (Harvard), LB Blake Adams (Tennessee Tech), LB Jerry King (Tennessee Tech), DE Malcolm Mitchell (Louisville)
Outlook: Dunwoody hired Tucker linebackers coach Michael Youngblood to replace James Teter, who took the head job at Sequoyah. One might not recognize the Wildcats with so many key players graduated. They include RB Treavor Scales (1,407 yards rushing) and DE Malcolm Mitchell (18 tackles for losses). The new coach has been around. He was a three-year starting linebacker and member of two Georgia Southern Division I-AA national championship teams from 1998 to 2001. He was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Burke County, from 2003 to 2005. He was the defensive coordinator for playoff teams at Chattahoochee in 2006 and 2007. Youngblood isn’t calling it a rebuilding year, but only five starters are back. The new quarterback is a sophomore, Justin King, a physical player who is a threat to run. Replacing Scales will be RB Dalen Claytor and WB Will Crochet (612 yards rushing, 7.3 yards per carry). The defense will be switched from a 4-3 to a Tucker-style 3-3-5. Dunwoody has one of the state’s best kickers in Austin Breed, who was 13-of-13 on field goals last season. Youngblood says he doesn’t have many college coaches recruiting because not enough players have enough playing time to show film. “They’re going to have to show up big-time on the field and show they were behind some good guys last season,” Youngblood said. That’s also what he needs to win some games.
McNair Mustangs
2008 record: 6-4, 5-1 (second in subregion)
Average record this decade: 8-4
Coach: Roderick Moore (26-18 in four seasons)
Offense: Multiple pro (coordinator: Juan Torres)
Defense: 46 (coordinator: Roderick Moore)
Starters returning: 2 on offense, 3 on defense
Best player: LB Desdan Hester
Other top players: WR/DB Daquavius Hickson, OL/DL Darius Murphy, RB/CB Kehalil Shack
Key losses: RB Arnold Walker (Alcorn State), LB Timothy Boswell (Albany State), LB Thomas Allen (Albany State)
Outlook: It doesn’t look good on paper, as McNair loses 75 percent of its starters and a couple of outstanding running backs in Arnold Walker (1,111 yards in nine games) and Pascal Desir (825), but this is a school with a tradition of athletes. Coach Roderick Moore has coached more than 52 players who have signed football scholarships and taken the Mustangs to the playoffs three of the past four seasons. This year’s big recruit is LB Desdan Hester, who has Florida State and Georgia Tech interested. He’s the only McNair player among the team’s top eight leading tacklers who is back. Look for Kehalil Shack to be the new go-to player in the backfield. McNair completed only 38 passes last season and probably won’t veer much from its approach of controlling the ball and the clock.
Towers Titans
2008 record: 1-9, 0-6 (seventh in subregion)
Average record this decade: 5-5
Coach: Jonathan Sanks (1-9 in one season)
Offense: Spread option (coordinator: Kenton Evans)
Defense: 3-4 (coordinator: Corey Harris)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: QB Miles Gooch
Other top players: DE/TE Antoine Jackson, CB Jhacobe Campbell, CB Quinton Young, OT Nolan Johnson, LB Jimmille Jackson, LB Justin Dupree, WR Malcolm Hamilton, RB Jarquiese Broadnax
Key losses: WR Marcus Hickson (Shaw University), WR Alex Randall
Outlook: For a coach who just went 1-9, Jonathan Sanks is optimistic, calling Towers “a .500 team that can easily turn .500 into .800.” First, some background. Sanks, formerly the defensive coordinator, got the head job just three weeks before the opener last August, and the team had no structured summer program. “A disaster in the making,” Sanks called it. This season, Towers has a new quarterback, Redan transfer Miles Gooch, a 6-foot-4 pocket passer with good speed. Another Redan transfer is receiver Demetrius Jones. Leading rusher Jarquiese Broadnax is back. The top all-around player is DE/TE Antoine Jackson. LB Jimmile Jackson averaged eight tackles a game. Sanks’ main worry is his lines. “We’ve got guys who will get after you, but they’re a tad undersized.”
Division B
Carver (Atlanta) Panthers
2008 record: 6-4, 4-2 (third in subregion)
Playoffs: Lost to Ridgeland 33-0 in the first round
Average record this decade: 3-7
Coach: Darren Myles (27-14 in four seasons)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: James Sosa)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinators: Chris Cody and Ralph Harrison III)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: QB Orimpian Allen
Other top players: DB/WR Travious Porter, LB/RB Patrick Etuk, RB Brendan Johnson, OL/DL Emmanuel Walters, OL/DL Deric Scott, DE Andrea Johnson, LB Dimitri Holmes, WR Marcus Gamble, WR Derico Smith
Key losses: RB Desmond Dennis (New Mexico), QB/DB Darren Myles Jr. (Tennessee), DE Phillip Harvey (Alabama A&M), DB Mark Williams (Presbyterian), CB Kevin Myles (West Georgia), CB Xavious Heard (Livingstone), DL Chris Brown (Livingstone), WR/LB Freddie Aaron
Outlook: Carver lost seven players to college football, two to Division I-A schools. That’s the class that turned around the Carver program, one of the state’s worst until Darren Myles arrived in 2005. Myles believes the talent level and confidence from three straight years of making the playoffs will be fine. Experience and depth are concerns. Allen, a junior, became the starting quarterback last season when Darren Myles Jr. (Tennessee) moved to receiver. He’s much improved as a passer and should give Carver a more balanced look than the past few years. There’s nobody as good as RB Desmond Dennis (New Mexico), but Myles believes a committee of three will work. Brendan Johnson should emerge as the top rusher. Linemen Emmanuel Walters and Deric Scott are three-year starters and should be a strength. An inspiring story is that of Andre Johnson, a victim of a shooting last spring that took the life of his brother. Johnson, who has an artificial eye because of the incident, has come back strong and is slated to start at defensive end.
Grady Grey Knights
2008 record: 7-3, 3-3 (fourth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 8-3
Coach: Ronnie Millen (62-29 in eight seasons)
Offense: Multiple I (coordinator: Ronnie Millen)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Robert Hall)
Starters returning: 9 on offense, 9 on defense
Best player: S/QB/WR Damian Swann
Other top players: DE Chris Walton, CB Marques Dawson, TE/LB Rio McWhorter, OL/DL Rashad Reynolds, OL/DL Deron Wright, RB Keenan Gibson, QB Treveon Albert, FB/LB Charles Morgan, RB Marcus Caffey
Key losses: P Jordan Francis
Outlook: Grady has more starters back than almost any team in the region, and the depth is so good that coach Ronnie Millen, who revived this program with his arrival in 2001, speculated that any senior he lost would struggle to win his spot back if he returned. Damian Swann is a two-way starter and the team’s best all-around player. He and another junior, RB Marcus Caffey, will be major Division I-A recruits next season. Ole Miss already has made an offer to each of them. Caffey ran for about 840 yards in just seven games last season. Swann will play quarterback and receiver on offense, depending on the development of QB Treveon Albert, the better passer. Albert started the first half of last season until an injury put Swann behind center. The best player on defense is DE Chris Walton (6-3, 220), who has mid-major offers. This is still a young team and figures to be a strong playoff contender each of the next two seasons.
Johns Creek Gladiators
Coach: Mike Cloy
Offense: I formation (coordinator: Arthur Letchas)
Defense: 4-4 (coordinator: Steve Hall)
Outlook: Head coach Mike Cloy is no stranger to football on the north side, having coached at North Springs (1980-90) and starting the program at Centennial (1997-2004). He also served as the AD at Alpharetta, having joined that staff in the school’s second semester of existence. Johns Creek is drawing from Chattahoochee and Northview, and Cloy expects anywhere from 65-75 kids to be on the roster come game time. The Gladiators will play primarily a junior varsity schedule this year, with several games against other new programs Langston Hughes, Mountain View, Lambert and Arabia Mountain.
Riverwood Raiders
2008 record: 3-7, 1-5 (sixth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Robert Ingram
Offense: Multiple option (coordinator: Tom Bianco)
Defense: Multiple 4-3 (coordinators: Henry Holloway and James Brown)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: QB/CB Kahlil Priddie
Other top players: TE/DE Blake Fortune, RB/DB Randall Logan, FS Tre Hurt, G/NG Zach Cole, G/LB Jack Nesmith
Key losses: SE/DE Jay Brown (Elon), SE/DE Adam Johnson (Navy), FB/LB Charlie Hollman (Georgia Tech)
Outlook: Riverwood got only one region victory in Robert Ingram’s first season, but the coach is thinking playoffs in season two. He can look to three close losses to Grady, North Atlanta and Washington that could’ve changed last season drastically. The team is built around QB/CB Kahlil Priddie, who started both ways last season, running for a team-leading 700 yards, throwing for 450 and making 73 tackles and four interceptions on defense. Most of the starters are back, and there’s always the optimism of a team in its second season under a new regime. But there’s also the issue of matching up physically with teams in the region, something Riverwood has struggled with for years, achieving winning seasons only twice in 20 years. It’s tough losing three college signees who brought size and speed in a region that demands it to be competitive. But Ingram is optimistic. “We’ll be stronger, quicker and faster,” he said. “We can make a playoff push if we play smart and don’t make a lot of mistakes. But we have to be realistic. We’re still building.”
St. Pius Golden Lions
2008 record: 9-2, 6-0 (first in subregion)
Playoffs: Lost to Cartersville 34-31 in the first round
Average record this decade: 7-4
Coach: Paul Standard
Offense: Wing-bone
Defense: Multiple 4-3
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 8 on defense
Best player: FB/LB Cole Moon
Other top players: LB Robert Lucisano, OL/DL Ryan Northcutt, FS Brian Gee, TB/DB George Kennedy, DE Andrew Butler
Key losses: QB P.G. Standard, TB Brendonn Jones, C Pax Vestal, DB Matt Pierce, TE Jordan Longoria (UAB)
Outlook: After a 9-0 start, St. Pius lost two games by less than seven points. With the heart of the defense and star fullback Cole Moon returning, this team could be better. LB Robert Lucisano has averaged about 10 tackles a game for two seasons. Moon is potentially the best player in the region. He rushed for 1,394 yards last season and scored 24 touchdowns. Also watch for TB George Kennedy, a junior and a rising star. But the offense will need retooling, and that includes the pressing need to replace QB P.G. Standard, who had more than 1,000 yards of total offense and was a good handler of the Wing-bone option offense. The candidates are sophomores Trey White and T.J. Holloman. Both will start somewhere, though a decision is not expected until after St. Pius’ scrimmage with Commerce.
Therrell Panthers
2008 record: 0-10, 0-6 (seventh in subregion)
Average record this decade: 3-7
Coach: Tony Rambo (0-10 in one season)
Offense: I formation and spread (coordinator: Donald Harrison)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Eddie Gibson)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 7 on defense
Best player: QB/OLB Michael Johnson
Other top players: T/DE Antonio Lawrence, RB/LB Tyrone Davis, WR Kenorris Benson, DE/TE Riley Lindley, FB/SS Anthony Brown, G/DT Gregory Oshosote
Key losses: OL Yelston Ford, OL Treondis Morris, OL Andre Bailey
Outlook: Therrell’s lone victory in 2008 was that no player quit through a rough 0-10 season. Coach Tony Rambo raves about the team’s hard work in the offseason with no promises of great improvement in a strong subregion. His quarterback is Michael Johnson, a starter in three sports. He threw for 850 yards last season and worked with a QB coach in the offseason and should be one of the region’s more improved players. He’ll also start at linebacker. In fact, Rambo concedes that trying to two-platoon last season was a mistake, so as many as seven players will start both ways, and offseason workouts were geared toward building stamina. What Rambo can’t do is manufacture linemen, and that will be a decided weakness. But Therrell does returns its leading rusher (Tyrone Davis) and receiver (Kenorris Brown). Brown caught 18 passes last season in his first year of high school football. “Our team is literally full of guys like that,” Rambo said. “The only guy with a lot of experience is Michael Johnson, and his numbers are not indicative of the leader he is and how he plays.”
NOTE: GHSF Daily was unable to reach the coaches at North Atlanta and Washington. We will run complete previews for those schools later this week.
Region Preview: 6-AAA:
What it is: Region 6-AAA consists of 12 teams in Northwest Georgia from Carrollton to the Tennessee border. It’s divided into two subregions, with seven schools near Chattanooga to the north and the rest in the south. The subregion winners from the regular season play each other in the final week to determine the No. 1 seed. The second- and third-place teams play in the final week to determine the final two playoff teams. Heritage of Ringgold, in its second season, and new school North Murray will play non-region schedules.
Defending champion: Ridgeland
Best player: RB/S Martez Eastland, Ringgold
2008 STANDINGS
(Final 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranking included)
Division A
#9 Ridgeland (9-3, 4-0)
LaFayette (6-4, 3-1)
Ringgold (4-6, 2-2)
Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (4-6, 1-3)
Southeast Whitfield (1-9, 0-4)
Heritage, Ringgold (0-10, 0-0)
Division B
Carrollton (9-3, 4-0)
Cartersville (8-4, 2-2)
Central, Carrollton (5-6, 2-2)
Cedartown (4-6, 2-2)
Haralson County (2-8, 0-4)
2009 PREDICTIONS
(Offensive/defensive starters returning)
LaFayette (6/6)
Ridgeland (3/4)
Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe (7/4)
Ringgold (4/4)
Southeast Whitfield (5/6)
*Heritage (9/8)
*North Murray (N/A)
*Playing a non-region schedule
Division B
Carrollton (5/5)
Cartersville (5/6)
Central, Carrollton (3/4)
Cedartown (4/3)
Haralson County (5/3)
TEAM BY TEAM
Division A
Heritage (Ringgold) Generals
2008 record: 0-10 (non-region schedule)
Average record this decade: 0-10
Coach: Tim James (0-10 in one season)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: John Crawford)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Allan Broom)
Starters returning: 9 on offense 8 on defense
Best player: WR/DB Matthew Chattin
Other top players: QB/HB Jake Sampson, DL Dylan Lowe, WR Jared McDade, HB Ethan Thompson, QB Austin Allen
Key losses: None
Outlook: In their second year as a program, the Generals look to get their first victory. They didn’t come close last season, but there were very few seniors. Another year of experience should give WRs Matthew Chattin and Jared McDade, along with QBs Jake Sampson and Austin Allen, a chance at improving on their six-point average last year. “The kids have bought into what we are selling and are working hard in the weight room and doing everything we need to do to get better,” head coach Tim James said. The Generals didn’t shy away from tough competition in their first year, playing the likes of Carrollton, Ridgeland, Sonoraville and Douglas County. They’ll get that slate again. Given that, the first victory might still be a year away.
LaFayette Ramblers
2008 record: 6-4, 3-2 (second in subregion)
Average record this decade: 3-7
Coach: Perry Swindall (6-4 in one season)
Offense: Multiple spread (coordinators: Charlie Wiggins and Jake Hogan)
Defense: Multiple 40 (coordinator: Tim Gillespie)
Starters returning: 6 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: TE/WR Dimitri Miles, LB Koran Dyer
Other top players: QB Josh Morgan, WR Bowe Coffman, WR Tyler Burse, LB Ben Gillespie, S Tripp White, CB Sydney Southern
Key losses: OT Evan Swindall (Ole Miss), OT Zimbe Kumbugwe, S Joel Cross, S Derek Murdock
Outlook: LaFayette had a winning season in coach Perry Swindall’s debut after a 4-26 patch under the previous regime. The coach thinks eight wins or more can be attained, but he’s also an old lineman who worries that an inexperienced line could be his team’s trouble spot. But if LaFayette can block people, watch out. Junior QB Josh Morgan (6 feet 5) threw for 2,111 yards and 25 touchdowns, and he’s got one of the region’s top sets of receivers. One is Dimitri Miles (31 receptions, 798 yards, 14 TDs). Tyler Burse and Bowe Coffman are Division I-AA prospects, too. LaFayette averaged 33.3 points per game in 2008, ranking eighth in Class AAA. The defense is young but can play. Swindall considers juniors Koran Dyer (120 tackles) and Ben Gillespie and linemen Kenny Sartin and Tyler Edgemon to be small-college prospects. Swindall believes the team last year was capable of eight wins and fell short of that goal. This year, he believes his team has “an exceptional amount of toughness” that could get to that level and beyond.
Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe Warriors
2008 record: 4-6, 2-3 (fourth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 5-5
Coach: Todd Windham (6-14 in two seasons)
Offense: I-spread (coordinator: Tawambi Settles)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Bo Campbell)
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: QB/CB Cody Commons
Other top players: RB/LB LaGreg Burns, DE Derek Lamey, WR Dominique Turner, OL Josh McNabb, DL Zack Lewis
Key losses: LB Logan Fields, OL Drew Lemons
Outlook: Coach Todd Windham took over a team that had gone 0-10 in 2006 and put faith in a group of sophomores that have grown up to become a big class of 20 seniors this season. LFO returns its leading passer in QB Cody Commons (741 yards), rusher in RB LaGreg Burns (748 yards), receiver in Dominique Tuerner (19 catches) and tackler in DE Derek Lamey (22 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks). And Commons should be much better just on good health alone. He was on pace to rush and pass for 1,000 yards each until a shoulder injury in the seventh game last year. He continued to play but couldn’t throw and spent time at running back and receiver. The concern is the defense, which lost seven starters, including all four in the secondary. That forces Commons and a few others to start both ways. If the Warriors can avoid injuries, that might work, and the playoffs are realistic. They lost close games last season to LaFayette and Ridgeland, the subregion’s top two teams.
North Murray Mountaineers
City: Chatsworth
County: Murray
Coach: Larry Cornelius
Drawing from: Murray County (100 percent)
Notes: The new high school facility won’t be ready until 2010, so North Murray will begin this fall in what’s now the Ninth Grade Academy, formerly Bagley Middle School. It will have 9th- and 10th-graders, with a projected enrollment of 760. North Murray is the first school in Georgia to be named the Mountaineers and one of only a handful of new Georgia schools this decade to choose a unique name. Coach Larry Cornelius, 28, was an assistant at Murray County the past two seasons.
Ridgeland Panthers
2008 record: 9-3, 4-0 (region champions)
Playoffs: Lost to Flowery Branch 21-14 in the second round
Average record this decade: 4-7
Coach: Mark Mariakis (27-27 in five seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Eric Edwards)
Defense: 4-4 (coordinators: Kip Klein and Craig Pritchett)
Starters returning: 3 on offense, 5 on defense
Best player: LB Devon Buchannan
Other top players: QB Dominic Wilkins, TB/DB Devin Bowman, DE Mason Harris, FS Duwan Harrison
Key losses: WR Mike Bowman (Alabama), HB Terryll Freeman (West Hills California Jr. College), QB Carlan Bowman, OL Cedrick Weaver (Butler Jr. College), DB/HB Darious Walton (Albany State), OL Chad Smith (Alabama State), DE/TE Michael Roberson
Outlook: How do you replace 94 percent of your offense? That’s what the reigning 6-AAA champions must discover. Three-year starting QB Carlan Bowman and WR Mike Bowman (30 catches, 1006 yards, 13 TD) are gone. “Our offense may look a little different than last year, but we’ve got guys that can make plays,” head coach Mark Mariakis insists. One is Devin Bowman, Mike’s brother. Bowman (more than 400 yards rushing as a sophomore) is the only returning player with significant yards from 2008. The new man behind center is Dominic Williams. He’s a good decision-maker who can get Ridgeland out of trouble with his feet. That will be valuable because the offensive line will have four new starters. Last year’s leading tackler, LB Devon Buchannan, will anchor a defense. He’s a small-college prospect. DE Mason Harris also has college potential. Duwan Harrison led the Chattanooga area in interceptions with nine last season. The secondary has three starters back. “If our young kids and inexperienced returners can step up and play at our region’s level, hopefully we will make another run at the region championship,” Mariakis says.
Ringgold Tigers
2008 record: 4-6, 2-2 (third in subregion)
Average record this decade: 4-6
Coach: Robert Akins (10-10 in two seasons)
Offense: Multiple I (coordinator: David Gann)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Mark Davis)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: RB/S Martez Eastland
Other top players: G/FB Thomas Guin, TE/DE CJ Evans, C Terrin Orr
Key losses: DB Vance Loveless, LB Matt Talkington
Outlook: The Tigers will look to a strong senior class and RB Martez Eastland (1,531 yards rushing, 19 TDs) to carry them to the playoffs for the first time since 2003. Eastland (6-0, 235 pounds) should be difficult to stop between the tackles thanks to G/FB Thomas Guin and C Terrin Orr. The Tigers might not know their starting quarterback until the opener, and the line graduated four starters. The defense also has some missing pieces from a year ago. But coach Robert Akins believes Eastland and what’s left can lead to a big improvement. “We are hoping for 7-3 or 8-2,” Akins said. “It’s a pretty lofty goal, but we think we can do that.”
Southeast Whitfield Raiders
2008 record: 1-9, 0-4 (fifth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 2-8
Coach: David Crane (1-9 in one season)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: David Crane)
Defense: 3-4 (coordinator: Chad Brewer)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: QB Tanner McCutchen
Other top players: DE/OT Cristian Perez, WR Jeremy Bishop, WR Zach Harper
Key losses: LB/RB Carmelo Apodaca
Outlook: Head coach David Crane knew what he was in for when he became head coach at Southeast: “When [the staff and I] took the job a year ago, we knew it was a total rebuilding project.” But after a year of running the spread, the offense hopes to improve from last year, when it was shut out three times. QB Tanner McCutchen (1,445 yards passing, nine TDs) looks to break his school passing records with the help of returning wide receiver duo Jeremy Bishop (43 receptions for 429 yards and three TDs) and Zach Harper (27 receptions for 265 yards two TDs). The biggest question lies on the offensive line, which graduated four starters. Outside of that, all signs point to a better team in 2009. The last winning season was 1986.
Division B
Carrollton Trojans
2008 record: 9-3, 4-0 (first in subregion)
Playoffs: Lost to Eastside 21-9 in the second round
Average record this decade: 8-3
Coach: Rayvan Teague (71-16 in seven seasons)
Offense: Wing-T (coordinator: Joey King)
Defense: Multiple 50 (coordinator: Marvell McKelphin)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: QB AJ Barge
Other top players: RB Jared Cooley, RB Brodderick Snoddy, DB Parker Tuggle, OL Chaz Presnell
Key losses: OT Robert Finkee (The Citadel), LB/FB Wes Dothard (Chattanooga)
Outlook: Carrollton’s 2008 team finished the season with four freshmen starting, making it the youngest team in Rayvan Teague’s seven seasons. And while only 11 starting positions are back, each side of the ball had eight or nine players who registered significant playing time who are returning. A.J. Barge (900 yards passing, seven rushing TDs) is one of the region’s best quarterbacks. He was injured down the stretch last year. There are several backs who can make plays, but watch for Brodderick Snoddy. He was the Class AAA runner-up in the 100 and 200 meters as a sophomore and had a breakout game in the playoffs against Eastside. Then make note of those freshmen who are growing up – TE/DE Zach Gordon (6-4, 220), DT Ryan Dumas (6-3, 235), CB Josh Barge (A.J.’s brother) and QB Dallas Dickey (Barge’s backup who’ll still play quite a bit). Carrollton will be the region favorite in 2009.
Cartersville Purple Hurricanes
2008 record: 8-4, 2-2 (second in subregion)
Average record this decade: 8-3
Coach: Frank Barden (111-44-1 in 13 seasons)
Offense: Spread (coordinator: Frank Barden)
Defense: Shade 50 (coordinator: Chad Brewer)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 6 on defense
Best player: MLB V.J. Canty
Other top players: DL Tyler Higgins, DL Nate Newborn, OL J.D. Jones, OL Justin Floyd, OL Colin Bennett
Key losses: QB/DB/KR/PR Donavan Tate (North Carolina – selected No. 3 overall in MLB Draft), RB Morgan Alexander (N.C. State), QB/CB Elijer Martinez (Western Carolina), DB/WR Tyler Blackwell (Carson-Newman), DB/WR Justin Cooper (Savannah State)
Outlook: After graduating two of the most celebrated football players in the school’s history, the Purple Hurricanes will turn to younger skill position players to replace QB/DB/KR/PR Donavan Tate and RB Morgan Alexander (852 yards rushing, 647 yards receiving). The successor to Tate at quarterback will be decided among sophomore Trey Graves and juniors Tylique Cochran and Jim Flatford. A strength will be the offensive line, where three standout juniors – J.D. Jones, Justin Floyd and Colin Bennett – will return after getting a crash course as sophomore starters. Another strength will be the kicking game, which returns K Case Dittmer and P Colin Barber. Each made all-county as freshmen. MLB V.J. Canty is a four-year starter. With the mass exodus of skill players, expect the Canes to rely on great line play on both sides of the ball to win games.
Cedartown Bulldogs
2008 record: 5-6, 2-2 (fourth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 6-5
Coach: Mark Loudermilk (9-22 in three seasons)
Offense: Multiple/spread (coordinator: Mark Loudermilk)
Defense: 4-3 (coordinator: Terry Morrow)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 3 on defense
Best player: FB John Poulin
Other top players: QB/S Hayden Trivett, OL/DL C.J. Landers, DE Adam Moore
Key losses: HB/OLB Demetrius Green (Lenoir-Rhyne), DB/ATH Brandon Brown
Outlook: With 36 players in grades 10-12 and 20 incoming freshmen, depth and inexperience will be major obstacles for the Bulldogs. But returning will be the team’s leading rusher in FB John Poulin and the team’s three-year starter at QB, Hayden Trivett (705 yards passing, 507 yards rushing). Lineman C.J. Landers will be in charge of keeping Trivett on his feet, while he and DE Adam Moore hope to break into opponents’ backfields. Cedartown is a team that’s slowly improving – it went 0-10 in 2006 – but lacking the depth to return to its status as region power from early in the decade.
Central (Carrollton) Lions
2008 record: 5-6, 2-2 (third in subregion)
Playoffs: Lost to Dunwoody 24-7 in the first round
Average record this decade: 3-7
Coach: Mike Ledford (5-6 in one season)
Offense: I formation, multiple (coordinator: Mike Ledford)
Defense: 3-5 (coordinator: Brad Gordon)
Starters returning: 4 on offense, 4 on defense
Best player: QB/FS Elijah Adamiak
Other top players: LB Burton Thomas, TE Tee Meigs, OL/DL Ditavious Johnson, QB Dee Mullins, HB/SS James Phillips, HB Terrance Evans, OLB Zach Simpkins, WR Blake Lewis
Key losses: HB/S Sheldon Snelling, HB/S Artagus Halloman
Outlook: Central’s 5-6 finish represented one of the best turnaround stories in the state last season. The Lions were 0-10 the season before. They hired Mike Ledford, former University of West Georgia head coach. By October, Central was within a touchdown of Cartersville, going overtime with Carrollton and bombing LaFayette for a spot in the state playoffs. This season, all-region LB Burton Thomas will try to lead the Lions to their second straight playoff appearance, something that has not happened since 2000-01. RBs James Phillips and Terrance Evans will give the Lions a strong running game, and QB Elijah Adamiak (489 yards passing, six TDs) is a major difference-maker in this region whose statistics don’t tell the story. Replacing playmakers Sheldon Snelling and Artagus Halloman will not be easy. On paper, lots of starters are gone, and Central is nothing special. But don’t underestimate momentum and the power of good coaching.
Haralson County Rebels
2008 record: 2-8, 0-4 (fifth in subregion)
Average record this decade: 3-7
Coach: Frank Vohun (19-23 in four seasons)
Offense: Spread, Wing-T (coordinator: Frank Vohun)
Defense: 5-2 (coordinator: Brett Vohun)
Starters returning: 5 on offense, 3 on defense
Best player: WR Ryan Rigdon/WR Matthew Vohun
Other top players: OL/DL Hunter Davis, WR/CB Lamarcus Jefferson, OL Ryan Robinson, HB/CB Antoine Phillips, QB CJ Meeks
Key losses: WR/DB Josh Dewberry
Outlook: Frank Vohun has achieved a winning season at Haralson every other year, so it’s time again. The Rebels got both their victories last season against Southeast Whitfield. WR Ryan Rigdon returns for his senior campaign after missing last year because of an injury. He gives returning starter QB CJ Meeks, a junior, a nice option to go along with deep threat Matthew Vohun. The offense will be Haralson County’s strong suit (though the team averaged only 16.5 points in four region games last year) because of the loss of so many defensive starters. The defense allowed 35.2 points per game in 2008. Haralson is a tough place to win, as the Vohun era is the best the Rebels have done against region competition since the school opened in 1969.
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