2015 High School Football Season Preview

NorthFulton.com • ForsythHerald.com • August 2015

2015 SEASON PREVIEW

INCLUDES ALL NORTH FULTON & FORSYTH TEAM SCHEDULES

Julie Martin Pictured above clockwise from top: Isaac Kinsey (25) will look to be a big part of the Chattahoochee Cougars’ passing game in 2015 (Photo by Keith Majors). Pinecrest Paladin’s QB Ryan McCarthy (13) was named to 6A All-region First Team.Linebacker Ryan Wilson (40) is one of the top returning players on either side of the ball for the Milton Eagles (Photo by Sol Simms/SolarviewPhotography.com).

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NORTH FULTON Football preview:

Local teams hoping to repeat 2014 success Roswell, BT return talented, veteran squads

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON – For most of North Fulton’s high school football teams, 2014 was a very good year.

Blessed Trinity went undefeated before losing in the Class AAA semifinals.

Milton, Alpharetta, Roswell and Northview all made the AAAAAA playoffs, with Milton and Alpharetta capturing region championships, Roswell joining them as playoff winners and Northview enjoying its first-ever winning season and playoff berth.

Mt. Pisgah and St. Francis both qualified for the Class A private school playoffs, with Mt. Pisgah advancing to the quarterfinals and St. Francis making it to the postseason in its first season of playing a region schedule and third year of varsity football.

Cambridge did not make the state playoffs in AAAAA, but went 7-3 for its first winning season in three years of football, losing in a region playoff game.

Several of the 2014 playoff teams enter this season with some question marks that will need answering, but the 2015 season again looks promising for area teams, with a feeling of optimism for some of the teams that did not make the playoffs last year.

Alpharetta is looking for a fourth Region 6-AAAAAA title in five years, but the Raiders will have to replace a lot of talent and will be breaking in a new quarterback after sending its last two signal callers to the SEC and Big 10.

The Raiders remain the team to beat in the region, but

are likely to be challenged by Lambert and South Forsyth, with perennial contender West Forsyth slipping a bit last season and missing the playoffs. Alpharetta went 10-2, the most wins in team history, but lost for a second straight year in the second round of the playoffs.

Like Alpharetta, Northview also suffered major personnel losses, with the Titans still having enough talent to possibly contend in a region that could offer some playoff opportunities for teams that missed out last season.

Centennial went 5-5, 5-4 in region play, but with a new coach who has made a concerted effort to improve things both on and off the field, the Knights could make some noise this season if former Grayson defensive coordinator Lenny Gregory can build a solid defense to go along with what should be a productive offensive unit.

Chattahoochee also returns some offensive talent, with the Cougars looking to improve on their seventh-place finish in the 10-team region.

Like Centennial, Johns Creek has a new coach, with Matt Kemper coming from Pope and looking to revive the Gladiators’ football fortunes after they went from 17-3 in 2011 and ’12 to 1-19 in 2013 and ’14.

Milton will be challenged to match the achievements of last year’s team, which went 11-2, captured the Region 5-AAAAAA title and won its first two playoffs games ever.

The Eagles were a seniordominated team, but have added a number of transfers from area schools to help soften the

One of the area’s best players has changed teams, as Northview’s Josh Moran, a standout at safety who also played extensively on offense, has transferred to Milton.

graduation losses.

Roswell, which knocked off the rival Eagles last year and won its playoff opener after three straight losing seasons, looks to be the team to beat in 5-AAAAAA, but will be challenged by a strong Etowah team and what should be a resurgent Walton squad, with Milton also figuring to be in the playoff mix.

Cambridge was third in its 7-AAAAA subregion last year, and is again hoping for a topthree finish to get into a region playoff game.

The Bears have a largely veteran group, but have to replace standout quarterback Brian Moore and his two leading receivers.

Kell and Sprayberry were 1-2 in the subregion last season and remain the teams to beat, with more competition expected this year for the third playoff spot.

Blessed Trinity enjoyed the best season in school history in 2014, going 13-1 with the lone loss coming in the state semifinals.

The Titans return most of the talent from that team and are positioned to make another deep playoff run. Westminster still stands as a major hurdle to clear in the 6-AAA subregion.

The Mount Pisgah Patriots tied Pinecrest for first in their 6-A subregion, but the Patriots suffered heavier graduation losses, most notably quarterback Aaron Winchester and defensive lineman Shingi Chigwere.

St. Francis, which went 7-3 and also joined Mt. Pisgah in the private school playoffs, also graduated a strong senior class, but the Knights expect to be playoff contenders again, with Fellowship Christian hoping for better things after beating both Mt. Pisgah and St. Francis in a 4-6 season.

King’s Ridge struggled last year, but the Tigers’ hopes for improvement have been bolstered by some new additions, although they will be hardpressed to replace offensive standout Penny Hart.

Among the area’s top returning players are Roswell running back Sheldon Evans and linebacker Tre Lamar, the BT backfield duo

of quarterback Conor Davis and running back Milton Shelton, Alpharetta defensive back Dejan Rowe and Centennial’s versatile Caden Herring, who will start in the offensive and defensive backfields.

One of the area’s best players has changed teams, as Northview’s Josh Moran, a standout at safety who also played extensively on offense, has transferred to Milton.

The season opens Aug. 21, with perennial state power Lowndes traveling from Valdosta to play Roswell. Five local teams will play that weekend, with most of the North Fulton schools opening on Aug. 28.

Three big rivalry games

will be played that night, with Alpharetta playing at Milton, Centennial hosting Roswell in the Knights’ season opener and Blessed Trinity at home against St. Pius.

King’s Ridge will be the last North Fulton to begin its season, playing its first game Sept. 4 at Walker.

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FORSYTH CENTRAL 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

Kevin O'Brien/Split Second Images

NORTH FULTON & FORSYTH COUNTY PRIVATE, PUBLIC SCHOOL TEAM SCHEDULES *-Denotes region game

LAMBERT 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent 8/28 @Dawson County 9/4 Woodland (Cartersville)

2014 results

W 36-14

9/11 Centennial*

9/11 Cass

L 6-13

9/18 @Alpharetta*

9/18 Kell*

L 14-28

9/25 North Forsyth*

9/25 @Riverwood*

W 41-13

10/9 @Habersham Central*

W 27-7

10/9 @North Atlanta* W 7-0 10/16 Sprayberry*

L 7-34

10/23 North Springs* W 49-21 10/30 @Cambridge*

L 21-35

Date, Opponent 8/28 @Lanier 9/4 Johns Creek*

10/16 Northview* 10/23 West Forsyth* 10/30 @ Chattahoochee*

11/6 @South Forsyth*

11/6 TBD

NORTH FULTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ALPHARETTA 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

CAMBRIDGE 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent

2014 results

Date, Opponent

8/28 @Milton

L 10-17

9/4 West Forsyth*

CENTENNIAL 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE 2014 results

CHATTAHOOCHEE 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent

2014 results

Date, Opponent

8/22 @Holy Innocents W 42-6

8/28 Roswell

L 42-10

8/21 @Cherokee

W 38-6

8/28 Chapel Hill

W 42-12

9/4 South Forsyth*

L 20-49

9/4 North Forsyth*

9/11 @Johns Creek*

W 31-10

9/11 Rome

W 38-21

9/11 @Lambert*

W 28-21

9/11 @West Forsyth*

9/18 Lambert*

W 35-17

9/25 Kell*

L 27-28

9/25 @Habersham Central*

W 45-31

W 52-3

9/18 @ Chattahoochee* 9/25 Johns Creek*

W 31-28

9/25 @South Forsyth*

10/9 Centennial*

W 39-0

10/9 @Alpharetta*

L 0-39

10/9 Johns Creek*

10/16 Chattahoochee*

W 56-7

10/16 Habersham Central*

W 42-39

10/23 @South Forsyth*

W 24-14

10/23 North Forsyth*

W 27-3

10/30 Northview*

W 17-0

10/2 @North Atlanta* W 45-3 10/9 Sprayberry*

L 7-31

10/16 @North Springs*

W 64-7

10/23 @Riverwood*

W 35-17

10/30 Forsyth Central*

W 35-21

10/30 @West Forsyth* L 32-42

11/6 @North Forsyth* W 34-14

11/6 TBD

11/6 @Northview*

JOHNS CREEK 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

MILTON 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

NORTHVIEW 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

L 26-54

9/18 Centennial*

10/16 @Alpharetta* 10/23 @Northview* 10/30 Lambert* 11/6 Habersham Central*

ROSWELL 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent

2014 results

Date, Opponent

2014 results

Date, Opponent

2014 results

Date, Opponent

8/28 Woodstock

L 0-9

8/28 Alpharetta

W 17-10

8/28 @Duluth

W 42-7

8/21 Lowndes

9/4 @Lambert*

L 7-41

9/4 @Norcross

W 26-0

L 10-31

W 41-0

8/28 @Centennial

9/11 Alpharetta* 9/18 Northview*

L 7-50

9/11 Wheeler*

W 35-9

9/4 @Habersham Central* 9/11 North Forsyth*

W 49-0

9/25 @Centennial*

L 28-31

9/18 @Lassiter*

W 56-0

9/18 @Johns Creek*

W 50-7

9/25 Milton

10/9 @ Chattahoochee*

9/25 @Roswell*

L 31-33

9/25 West Forsyth*

W 28-14

10/2 Walton

L 19-28

10/9 Etowah*

W 37-12

10/9 South Forsyth*

L 8-33

10/9 @Wheeler

10/16 North Forsyth*

L 13-14

10/16 @Cherokee*

W 23-0

10/16 @Lambert*

L 0-3

10/16 Pope

10/23 @Habersham Central*

W 42-14

10/23 Walton*

W 20-17

10/23 Chattahoochee*

W 37-7

10/23 @Woodstock

10/30 Woodstock*

W 30-13

10/30 @Alpharetta*

L 0-17

10/30 @Cherokee

11/6 @Pope*

W 35-7

11/6 Centennial*

W 54-26

11/6 Etowah

10/30 South Forsyth* L 10-49 11/6 West Forsyth*

L 3-34

9/11 @Lassiter

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FORSYTH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

NORTH FORSYTH 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

SOUTH FORSYTH 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

WEST FORSYTH 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

2014 results

Date, Opponent

2014 results

Date, Opponent

2014 results

Date, Opponent

2014 results

L 14-27

8/21 Cherokee

L 14-42

8/21 Mountain View

L 31-38

8/28 @Mill Creek

L 27-65

W 41-7

9/4 @ Chattahoochee*

L 17-20

9/4 @Centennial*

W 49-20

9/4 @Alpharetta*

L 6-38

9/11 @Northview*

L 0-49

9/11 Habersham Central*

W 49-7

9/11 Chattahoochee* W 23-18

9/18 South Forsyth*

L 3-55

9/18 @North Forsyth* W 55-3

9/18 Habersham Central*

W 56-35

9/25 @Lambert*

L 6-31

9/25 Chattahoochee* W 42-34

9/25 @Northview*

L 14-28

10/9 West Forsyth*

L 3-35

10/9 @Northview*

W 33-8

10/16 @West Forsyth*

10/9 @North Forsyth* W 35-3

L 14-27

10/16 South Forsyth* W 27-14

10/23 Alpharetta*

L 14-24

10/23 @Lambert*

L 27-33

10/30 @Johns Creek* W 49-10

10/30 Centennial*

W 42-32

11/6 Lambert*

11/6 Johns Creek*

W 34-3

L 21-28 L 17-35 W 31-6 W 51-6 W 3-0

10/16 @Johns Creek* W 14-13

W 33-27

10/23 @Centennial*

L 3-27

W 20-9

10/30 Habersham Central*

L 7-32

* W 40-7

11/06 Alpharetta*

L 14-34

L 7-40

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

BLESSED TRINITY 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

KINGS RIDGE 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

2014 results

Date, Opponent

2014 results

Date, Opponent

2014 results

Date, Opponent

2014 results

L 7-42

8/28 St. Pius X

W 42-20

8/21 Armuchee

W 44-17

9/4 @Walker

L 28-31

W 20-17

9/4 Sequoyah

W 35-14

L 6-23

9/11 Creekview

W 37-0

L 10-20

9/11 Darlington

L 18-23

8/28 @Riverside Military Academy

L 13-56

9/19 @Maynard Jackson

W 42-0

L 17-34

9/18 @Mt. Paran

L 31-45

9/11 @Chattooga 9/18 @Christian Heritage

L 12-13

9/25 @Trion

L 23-39

9/25 Douglass*

W 45-7

10/2 @King’s Ridge*

W 47-28

W 28-19

10/9 @Therrell*

W 58-14

10/9 @Mt. Pisgah*

W 33-28

L 7-56

10/16 @ Westminster*

W 23-11

10/23 Washington* 10/30 Decatur*

L 34-42

L 7-37 L 9-20 W 35-28

10/16 Whitefield Academy* L 13-17

W 36-6

10/23 @Pinecrest Academy*

L 7-14

W 31-0

10/30 St. Francis*

W 26-21

10/2 Fellowship Christian* 10/9 @Whitefield Academy

L 28-47 L 12-16

10/16 St. Francis*

L 13-25

10/23 @Mt. Pisgah*

L 22-64

10/30 Pinecrest Academy* L 21-56

11/6 TBD

11/6 TBD

11/6 TBD

MT. PISGAH 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

PINECREST 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

ST. FRANCIS 2015 TEAM SCHEDULE

2014 results

Date, Opponent

2014 results

Date, Opponent

2014 results

Date, Opponent

L 14-37

8/21 Brookstone

L 34-42

8/28 @North Springs

W 21-14

8/28 @Providence Christian W 47-10

W 42-10

9/4 Rabun County

W 27-9

9/11 @Walker (Marietta)

W 42-14

9/4 @Lakeview Academy

W 45-14

W 42-27

9/11 @Eagle’s Landing Christian

W 28-21

9/18 Trion

W 21-14

9/18 @Mt. Zion

W 21-0

W 33-31

9/25 Christian Heritage

W 41-21

9/25 Mt. Paran Christian

L 14-45

9/25 Walker

W 28-7

W 27-15

10/2 @St. Francis*

W 39-20

10/2 @Whitefield Academy* W 28-7

10/2 Mt. Pisgah*

L 20-39

L 14-28

10/9 Fellowship Christian* L 28-33

10/9 @St. Francis*

10/9 Pinecrest Academy*

L 27-30 (OT)

W 44-21

10/16 @Pinecrest Academy* W 21-14

10/16 @King’s Ridge*

W 25-13

W 49-38

10/23 King’s Ridge

W 64-22

W 14-7

W 47-6

10/23 Whitefield Academy*

W 31-21

10/30 @Whitefield Academy

W 14-7 W 56-21

10/30 @Fellowship Christian L 21-26

L 18-28

11/6 TBD

10/16 Mt. Pisgah Christian* 10/23 Fellowship Christian* 10/30 @King’s Ridge* 11/6 TBD

W 30-27 OT L 14-21

11/6 TBD

2014 results

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Forsyth football preview:

All six team’s schedules the same from 2014

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga.- The Forsyth County 2015 football season will kick off Aug. 21 with games at North and South Forsyth and opening games for Lambert, Forsyth Central, West Forsyth and Pinecrest Academy coming a week later on Aug. 28.

All six teams will face the same opponents as last season, with the final games for Pinecrest and Forsyth Central to be determined by region standings.

There are no new region alignments for 2015.

In Region 6-AAAAAA, Lambert, North Forsyth, South Forsyth and West Forsyth will attempt to end Alpharetta’s streak of four consecutive region championships.

In 2014, Lambert compiled a 7-2 region record and finished 7-4 overall. They were knocked out of the first round of the playoffs with a 36-13 loss to Etowah.

The Longhorns opened the 2014 season 1-3 with losses to Lanier,

Centennial and Alpharetta. After a poor start, the Longhorns won-out the regular season and earned the runnerup position in Region 6-AAAAAA. While the Longhorns have made the playoffs two out of the three years since joining the region, they have yet to win a playoff game.

North Forsyth will look to rebound from a disappointing 2014 season in which they went 1-9. The Raiders allowed over 30 points per game while averaging only eight on offense.

The Raiders will open up the season against Region 5-AAAAAA opponent Cherokee, who defeated the Raiders 42-14 last season, before playing nine region games.

The War Eagles of South Forsyth will look to repeat their winning season

and playoff run of 2014. They open the season with a nonregion game against Mountain View on Aug. 21 before entering region play. South Forsyth won their first five region games last year before falling to West Forsyth, Alpharetta and Lambert in their final games.

West Forsyth will be seeking their eighth-straight winning season in 2015.

West went 6-4 last season, but due to tiebreakers in the region standings, they were unable to secure a playoff berth.

The Wolverines will open the season Aug. 28 against 2014 Region 7-AAAAAA champions Mill Creek, who defeated the Wolverines 27-65 last season. West Forsyth will then open region play against regional favorites Alpharetta on Sept. 4.

The Forsyth Central Bulldogs enter

All six teams will face the same opponents as last season, with the final games for Pinecrest and Forsyth Central to be determined by region standings.

their second season in Region 6-AAAAA Division B in 2015.

The Bulldogs went 6-4 last season and 3-3 in the region. The Bulldogs open their season against Region 7-AAA’s Dawson County on Aug. 28 followed by two nonregion games against Woodland and Cass. Forsyth Central then opens their region play schedule against defending region champion Kell.

The Bulldogs final game of the regular season is to be determined as they will play Region 7-AAAAA placeholder four.

Pinecrest Academy will again be among the favorites to finish atop the competitive Region 6-A Division B that includes Mt. Pisgah, Fellowship Christian and St. Francis.

In 2014, the Paladins went 4-1 in the region and earned a playoff berth.

They finished the season at 8-4 overall.

Pinecrest will also face defending A state champions Mt. Paran on Sep. 25.

The final game of the Paladins schedule is to be determined as they will play the Region 6-A placeholder seven.

Forsyth Central preview:

Bulldogs turnaround starts with dedication to team

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga.- Forsyth Central had their first winning season in 13 years in 2014, a feat that head coach Shane Williamson attributes to his players buying in to a “team first” attitude.

“We just had a good group of guys that really bought in [to putting the team first]. We won a few games and the kids started to see that the hard work was paying off,” said Williamson “It was a total buy-in to our entire system. Put the team first and have great work ethic.”

Williamson also said the success of 2014 reflected on his entire coaching staff.

“Our coaching staff has been one of the best coaching staffs I’ve ever been a part of as far as everyone being on the same page. The first people that notice if the coaches aren’t all in is the players. The team aspect from the coaching staff

to the players was all in.”

For the 2015 season, Williamson’s defensive secondary will be without Victor Peppers and Ryan Hintz, who graduated. Williamson said, “It was tough to lose that game experience.”

However, he is confident in the ability of junior Jacob Ward and senior Trey Abercrombie to fill their shoes.

Abercrombie is also in a position battle with Jagger Hartshorn for starting quarterback.

“We would love to see Trey play defense only, but the way he was able to come through for us last year at quarterback is truly going to be something very hard to let go of. We’re prepared for him to go both ways if that’s the case. Right now, if we were to play a game, they would both see equal playing tim.”

Williamson said Pierce Nufer is also a player to watch.

“He’s the reason you love coaching. He does everything right on the field and in the

classroom and outside of school. He is a scholar athlete.

We gave him the Iron Man Award. He started at tailback, played fullback and started at outside linebacker and did outstanding at all of those positions. He’s a tremendous asset to represent this football program.”

The Bulldogs, who finished 3-3 in Region 7-AAAAA play last season, will have to overcome tough opposition from Kell, Sprayberry and Cambridge if they hope to make the playoffs this season.

“I’ve told my team, if we want to get past the hump and get into the playoffs, we are going to have to beat some those teams,” said Williamson.

Williamson remains confident in his team and said the turnaround in the past two seasons has been phenomenal.

“To see the progress we’ve done in two years it seems like it’s at a fast-forward pace from what we’ve expected. I just want this team to continue to give everything they’ve got. We

Bulldog player run drills. want to have a winning football team and get into the playoffs,

but we will take it one week and one game at a time.”

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Milton Preview:

Eagles hope for another deep playoff run

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com MILTON – After winning a school-record 11 games in 2014, including two playoff victories, and putting up a titanic battle in a quarterfinal loss to state champion Colquitt County, the Milton Eagles enter the 2015 season with a predominantly new cast.

The Eagles lost 21 frontline seniors off last year’s 11-2 Region 5-AAAAAA championship squad and return only five major contributors, one of them a kicker.

But with some emerging talent from the Eagles’ successful lower programs and the arrival of a sizeable group of transfers, many of them from North Fulton schools, the Eagles appear to be reloading more than rebuilding.

Under fifth-year head coach Howie DeCristofaro, Milton has shed its losing image that had been a part of the football program since the late 1950s. The Eagles have made the playoffs in all four seasons under DeCristofaro, going 26-9 the last three years and capped by the first two playoff wins in school history last season.

DeCristofaro says the success the Eagles have enjoyed under his leadership “has validated what I tried to do here. The last three years, the players have bought in and it’s paid off.”

After serving as a head coach in Florida and as an assistant at Pope in Cobb County, DeCristofaro took over Milton’s program prior to the 2011 season and has

instilled a strong work ethic in his players, with a number of them going on to sign college scholarships, many with major Division 1 programs.

Milton has benefitted from a number of talented transfers in recent years, and has added two of the area’s top seniors from Northview and Johns Creek and at least five likely key contributors from rival Alpharetta.

DeCristofaro likens the outlook for the season to the situation two years ago, when only a handful of starters returned from the Eagles’ first winning team under him.

Milton improved its record in 2013 and again last year, but bettering an 11-2 mark might be a tall order.

“I have no idea where we’re at,” DeCristofaro says. “We’ll wait and see.”

The Eagles will field an almost all-new offensive unit, beginning with senior quarterback David Moore, who played sparingly as a backup last year after moving into the Milton zone from Texas.

“He’s a dual threat as a runner and passer, and is extremely good,” DeCristofaro said of Moore, who is attracting attention from recruiters despite a lack of experience.

“He has one of the best arms I’ve ever seen. The question is, can we pass protect?”

As usual, the Eagles will have plenty of size in the offensive line, but lost all five starters. Seniors Tyler Watson (6-5, 265) and Austin Mitchell (245) played mostly on defense last season, with juniors Josh Hall (6-4, 290) and Mason Nut-

Sol Sims/www.SolarviewPhotography.com

Linebacker Ryan Wilson (40) will be one of Milton’s top returning players in 2015. ter (6-3, 270) providing more size up front, along with senior Yonis Abdi (6-4, 270).

“Potentially we could be as good as we’ve been,” said DeCristofaro, who has sent a string of offensive linemen to Division I schools from Milton.

Senior Stanley Dericco and junior Cam Adams, who played as a reserve last season at Alpharetta, are the leading candidates at the running back position, with Dericco more of an inside-the-tackles banger and the smaller, quicker Adams a “change of pace” type back.

“We’re not lacking for running backs,” said DeCristofaro, noting others are also in the mix.

The Eagles will not have a primary receiver similar to 2014 standout Obe Fortune, with DeCristofaro describing

it as “wide receiver by committee.” Senior A.J. Beach, a returning defensive starter, will also play on offense, as will transfers Troy Simon (Alpharetta) and Josh Moran (Northview), who will team with Beach to give the Eagles what should be a standout secondary.

Cambridge transfer Kyler Duley is also in the mix along with junior Pat Bond and sophomore Kevin Murphy.

Unrelated seniors Nate Johnson and Alpharetta transfer Ralph Johnson will give the Eagles some size at the hybrid fullback/tight end position, with the running backs also playing a role in what could be an expanded passing game this season.

Ryan Wilson, a returning starter at linebacker, and Beach will help anchor the

defense, with Simon joining Beach to give the Eagles some athleticism at cornerback. Moran was one of the area’s top defenders last year at Northview and will play safety, with senior Parker Smith, junior David Ajudua and promising freshman Joe Charleston, a move-in from Florida, also competing for playing time.

Kyle McGregor, a transfer from Johns Creek, will be a strong presence at middle linebacker, with Wilson starting at one outside spot. Emmett Kersey and Ambrose Wilson have the unenviable task of replacing 2014 standout Quarte Sapp at the other outside linebacker. Wilson and Ajudua are both transfers from Alpharetta.

The Eagles lost both talent and depth in the defensive line, but should be strong at the position. DeCristofaro describes junior Chase Hooper as “the next Karl Lawson,” referring to the former Eagle standout pass rusher, now at Auburn. “He was virtually unblockable on the JV. He’s really good.”

Watson and Ethan Krapf will play on the inside, with Jack Griffin, who saw some action last year, at end along with speedy lacrosse player Davis Hunt and sophomore Justin Blanks.

The kicking game will again be a strength, as punter/kicker Ethan Suda returns after an outstanding 2014 season.

“He was tremendous,” DeCristofaro said. “He won two games for us with field goals and his punting was fantastic.

We’ve got good long snappers, so our special teams are taken care of.”

King’s Ridge Preview:

Tigers look to rebound after tough season

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA – After a 1-9 season in 2014, there’s nowhere to go but up for the King’s Ridge Christian Tigers.

The Tigers avoided a winless season when Penny Hart rushed for 390 yards and seven touchdowns and passed for 162 yards and a TD in a season-ending 56-40 victory over Strong Rock Christian.

Hart, a freshman wide receiver at Georgia State, had to play quarterback because of injuries at the position, and was a rare bright spot in an otherwise dismal season.

King’s Ridge will attempt to rebuild with the aid of a number of transfers, who have joined the Tigers’ football program in hopes of getting playing time and helping improve the team’s sagging fortunes. The Tigers went 5-5 their first three seasons in the Georgia

High School Association and 4-6 in 2013 before last season’s struggles.

“We were not very good last year,” said Jeff Pickren, who got the program started in 2008. “I think we’ll be better. We’ve got a few new kids and a new quarterback, but there are so many unknowns.”

Adding to the uncertainty was the status of some of the newcomers, who were still going through the eligibility process as the Tigers were beginning preseason practice in pads.

Reid Martin, a junior transfer from Lambert, will be the quarterback, and has “looked good” in the team’s 7-on-7 scrimmages, Pickren says. “He’s got a good arm, is smart and is a good kid.”

The Tigers have several candidates at running back, including Matt McCree, a sophomore transfer from Dulu-

th who will add some size and speed to the backfield. Junior Lawson Hill, the starting catcher for the Tigers’ two-time state champion baseball team, brings some toughness to the position, with sophomore Austin Holbrook providing speed. King’s Ridge will again operate out of the spread offense with multiple receivers.

Senior Jack McHugh started last season, with senior Creighton Buchanan also returning. Junior S’ven Cornelius is back in action at the position, with Ellis Meriwether new to the program.

“We have some speed,” Pickren said.

“The key is can they catch the ball?”

Returning in the line is 260-pound junior Kyle Brown at tackle and senior center Zach Pitts. The Tigers also have some returnees who played as freshmen, and they will have to take on

increased roles this season. Despite all the changes and uncertainty, Pickren believes the Tigers “should be decent” on offense. “We’ll throw the ball down the field, but we hope to be balanced.”

The Tigers have even more questions on defense than they do on offense, and defense was the weaker of the two units last year. Wyatt McMahon, a 260-pound junior transfer from Michigan, is a major addition in the defensive line, which has more than its share of question marks along with the linebacker positions.

Junior Orion Caldwell moves up from the JV and is part of the competition at linebacker, with McHugh, Cornelius and Buchanan leading the way in the secondary.

“I’m optimistic we’ll be better than we were,” Pickren said. “We have some size, but we have so many new players – some of them up from the JV. There are a lot of unknowns.”

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Chattahoochee preview:

Cougars expect to field a strong offense Mostly new defense looking to improve

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com

Behind center for the Cougars this season will be junior quarterback Chase Owens (8).

Keith Majors

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JOHNS CREEK – The Chattahoochee Cougars begin the 2015 football season with a largely new cast after going 3-7 last year, but with the returning starters including the team’s quarterback, leading receiver and leading rusher, there is some cause for optimism about this season.

“Last year, we were very, very young, but that translates into experience,” second-year head coach Vince Strine said.

Among the changes from last season are new offensive and defensive coordinators, one from within the staff and one from without. Strine says he expects that to make “a huge difference,” as the Cougars look to return to contention in Region 6-AAAAAA. After going 27-2 in 2010 and ’11, winning a state championship at the next-highest classification in 2010, the Cougars returned to the AAAAAA level and went 7-3 in Terry Crowder’s last year as head coach at Chattahoochee.

The Cougars have gone 7-13 the last two years, with Strine taking over after the 2013 season from Michael Owens, who had to step down after one season due to health issues.

The key offensive returnees are junior quarterback Chase Owens, junior receiver Isaac Kinsey and senior running back Blake Hundley, along with lineman Bryce Folsom.

Owens took over as the starter early last season and played well. Strine says the Chattahoochee players “took to him as a leader. The big thing for Chase this season is to take care of the football and not have turnovers.”

Kinsey was Owens’ favorite target and had a string of huge games midway through the season, breaking a number of completions for long touchdowns. Strine describes Kinsey as “quick and shifty,” and views him as one of the top 10 receivers in the state.

Hundley put up some solid numbers as both a runner and receiver coming out of the backfield, and Strine hopes the Cougars will field a better running game.

“The offense needs to be way more consistent. We don’t want to rely on the home run ball.”

Sophomore Joseph Daniels will help Hundley with the ball carrying duties, with David Nicoletta, who was the starting quarterback at the outset of last season, adding “a lot of flexibility” at different offensive spots, Strine said.

Andrew Thomas, the team’s No. 2 receiver as a freshman, also returns along with Isaiah Sayles and Kwamme Addo, with Strine expecting the Cougars to force opposition defenses to have to cover his skill position players all over the field.

The offensive line will be led

by Folson, a 6-5, 280-pound senior tackle who has committed to North Carolina State.

Guard Kenny Garrett also returns, with senior Evan Clay, junior Ethan Wright and sophomore Lerin Volmy among the players competing for other starting roles. Other than Folsom, the Cougars will rely on quickness more than size.

Most of the team’s losses came on defense, which was not the Cougars’ strong suit last year. Strine says the Cougars will be faster on defense, but not as big at linebacker. A number of players are competing for playing time, with junior Albert Matos a leading contender in the middle, and Logan Tamisin and newcomer Hunter Cornett also in the mix.

Junior Will Casement provides some size at nose guard, with senior ends Xavier Boucard and Pavan Sastry relying more on quickness. All three saw some varsity action last year.

Three-year starter Jaylin Taylor heads up the secondary at cornerback, with fellow senior John Anthony at the other corner. Joseph Sayles, Omar Diaz and Brandon Ware are the leading candidates at safety.

Strine says he believes the Cougars “will be way better on defense than last year. We’re going to be a high-pressure defense, but we can be big up front and match up better, whether we’re playing a spread team or a power team.”

The Cougars will have to replace kicker Andrew Gray, now at Valdosta State, with the kicking game a consistent strength for the program.

Strine feels his team is “absolutely” a potential playoff contender. “The playoffs are our goal and I definitely think we have a good shot.”

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Mount Pisgah preview:

Patriots strong again without Winchester Strong line helps offset loss of quarterback

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK – For the past two seasons, Mount Pisgah’s opponents had to deal with dual threat quarterback Aaron Winchester, who put up some eye-popping statistics and led the Patriots to a 20-5 record, three of the wins coming in the playoffs.

Winchester passed for 4,227 yards as a junior and senior, rushed for 2,213 yards and accounted for 73 touchdowns, earning a football scholarship with the Georgia State Panthers.

Mike Forester, who took over the head coaching job at Mount Pisgah prior to Winchester’s junior season, said it will be “hard to overcome” the loss of Winchester, but the 2014 Co-Offensive Player of the Year in North Fulton was one of just seven seniors who played vital roles for the Patriots last year and in previous seasons.

Fortunately for Forester, Mount Pisgah returns a solid base of front-line players, including almost all the linemen. Winchester will not be the only key skill position player who will have to be replaced.

But with a veteran line, the Mount Pisgah offense should again be productive.

Sophomore Jacob Cendoya, who started in the defensive secondary last year, is competing for the quarterback job with freshman Connor Norwood. Forester said the two “are both dual threats with good arms and are athletic enough.”

Cendoya had a slight edge in preseason practice, but Forester pointed out that the sophomore “can help us in different ways.”

Senior J.R. Cendoya, Jacob’s older brother, is part of a multiplayer competition at running back along with Max Miller and Spencer Shields.

J.R. Cendoya and Miller both started at linebacker last year and will be among the team’s two-way regulars this season.

Seniors Justin Gilvin and Jacob Green are vying for playing time at tailback, with Forester expecting to utilize a

two-back set more frequently.

“We won’t be exclusively two-back,” Forester said.

“We’re still a spread offense.”

Forester is looking for a big season from junior receiver Connor Richey, a starter for the Patriots’ basketball team.

Richey has size and athletic ability, and Forester will look to exploit Richey’s size advantage against smaller cornerbacks.

Chase Clark will play a lot at receiver and in the secondary, as well as again handling the placekicking duties.

Seniors Garrett Brasher (64, 235), Nick Bernier (215) and Patrick Ainsworth and junior Jack Geier return in a veteran offensive line, with sophomore Chad Peden also expected to see plenty of action.

“The strength of our team is our offensive and defensive lines, and we hope to take advantage of our offensive line,” Forester said. “We should be more balanced offensively run to pass.”

Brasher will head up the defensive line, with most of his offensive line mates joining him on defense. The Patriots graduated their top defensive player – lineman Shingi Chigwere, now at Air Force,

The offensive line will be one of Mt. Pisgah's strengths. and struggled at times when Chigwere was sidelined with an injury.

Miller and J.R. Cendoya return at linebacker, with sophomores Kai Williams and Jonathan Giglia looking to break into the lineup.

Clark returns at cornerback along with Green, with sophomore David Woodward also expected to play in the secondary.

The Patriots went 8-4 last

season and reached the Class A private school quarterfinals after a 12-1 record in 2013 and a 17-16 loss to state champion Aquinas in the semifinals.

Forester believes the team’s veterans have benefited from the five playoff games the Patriots played the past two seasons, and believes this year’s squad “certainly has potential.

In a lot of ways we have more depth, and I expect us to be in there at the end.”

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Cambridge Preview:

Bears look to build on 7-3 record last season Most starters back, but QB tough to replace

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com MILTON – In its third season of fielding a varsity football team, the Cambridge Bears went 7-3 in 2014, losing 4528 to Creekview in a Region 7-AAAAA playoff game with a spot in the state playoffs on the line.

The Bears return the majority of starters from that team, but will have to replace quarterback Brian Moore, who passed for 2,300 yards and 23 touchdowns and added 566 yards and 13 TDs rushing.

Also gone are Moore’s two favorite targets, with John Hurst and Hunter Smith combining for 100 receptions, 1,612 yards and 15 of Moore’s scoring passes.

Cambridge coach Craig Bennett will not have to look far for Moore’s replacement, as junior Cameron Moore, Brian’s younger brother, takes over at quarterback.

“I can’t speak enough about what Brian did for us,” Bennett

said. “You can’t replace him.”

Brian Moore emerged as the Cambridge quarterback his junior season after playing in the defensive secondary as a sophomore.

“We didn’t know what we had with Brian,” Bennett said.

“Cameron is ahead of where Brian was as a junior. He’s not quite as big, but has a better arm at this age. We won’t change our offense a lot.”

The Bears will also miss Hurst and Smith but have a number of returning regulars at receiver, and Bennett believes this will be “an overall better group.”

Seniors Kyle McDougall, Nathan Kish, J.D. White and Scott Gustafson all saw action last year, and Spencer Gaddis started as a freshman.

Kaelin Byrd returns at running back after starting as a sophomore, averaging six yards per carry and rushing for 535 yards. Bennett says he expects to use Byrd more after he averaged only nine carries a game in 2014.

Moore and Byrd will operate behind a line that returns three starters, led by 6-2, 285-pound tackle Branch Morley. Also returning are 260-pound guard Matthew

Burr and 250-pound center Logan Stanley. This will be Morley’s fourth year as a starter and Burr’s third.

Junior Ben Padezanin moves from defense to take over at the other guard, with sophomore Walker Peed moving into the lineup at tackle.

The Bears’ success last season was largely the result of the production of the offense, which averaged around 400 yards per game and was held under 27 points just once.

Even without his starting quarterback and two leading receivers, Bennett feels this year’s squad has the ability to approach that offensive output.

Cambridge returns nine starters from a defense that kept opponents in check other than the three games the team lost. Defensively, Bennett says the Bears “have a chance to be pretty good” this season.

The two losses are key ones, as the Bears graduated their top defender – end Josh Kania, along with linebacker Charles Mills, who Bennett described as “the heart and soul of our defense.”

Trey Wolfe, a three-year starter at linebacker, will be the Bears’ defensive leader, with Eric Cizek, who missed

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Chase Darnell and Jake Michels are back at defensive end, with Padezanin expected to share the nose guard position with his younger brother Noah, a junior.

Will Britton, who played nose guard last year, moves to outside linebacker, joining Devin Kane, one of Georgia’s elite high school wrestlers.

The Bears will again operate in a 3-3 alignment, relying on speed and quickness more than size.

White, who has been an impact player for the Bears since his freshman season, returns at cornerback along with junior Alec Kramer. Kish is back at safety and is part of a secondary Bennett says will give Cambridge “a lot of speed on the field.”

One of the biggest concerns for Bennett coming into the season is replacing his kicking duo of Smith as punter and Clayton Hammer as placekicker. The Cambridge coach says he has “a couple of soccer kids” who are competing for the two jobs.

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Lambert preview:

Lambert looks to raise expectations

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com SUWANEE, Ga.- For secondyear head coach Louis Daniel, the focus of this summer has been on the mindset of his players and having them raise the expectations of themselves and the team.

“It’s one thing to compete for a playoff spot every year, but that’s not where we want to be.

We want to be winning playoff games. We want to be a contender. We’re trying to get the boys to change the mindset and expect great things. You never know what’s going to happen on Fridays, win, lose or draw, but we want the boys going in expecting to win,” said Daniel.

For the Longhorns, playoff appearances are not out of the ordinary. They have earned berths two out the three years they have been in Region 6-AAAAAA. However, since the team’s inaugural season in 2009, the Longhorns have yet to win a playoff game. Last season, they were eliminated after a 36-13 loss to Roswell in the first round.

“We’ve been trying to raise the expectations. Our kids are glad to come to work and we’ve

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Last year, senior Trevor O’Brien (2) led the Longhorns in rushing with 1,281 yards. had a great summer. We’ve been working really hard this year to change our perception of ourselves,” said Daniel.

The Lambert offense, which averaged 26 points per game in 2014, will be without quarterback Drew Cole and halfback Trevor O’Brien. O’Brien led the team in rushing 1281 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and 10 touchdowns.

Daniel said there has been

competition for the starting quarterback position between Richie Kenney and Bobby Gabriel. Daniel said, for now, Kenney will be their first game starter.

Kenney will have a go-to target in Georgia Southern commit Tanner Hall, who had 26 receptions for 501 yards and six touchdowns in 2014.

At the halfback position, Harrison Pomfrent, Brian

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Wright, Marcus Chatelain and Ken Dicks will share carries.

Daniel expects his offensive line to have another stellar season, led by Cincinnati commit Sean Bailey, along with Cliff Snyder, Jason Regulski, Jack Huestess and Nick Nieuwhoff.

The Longhorns defense will be without Adam Schimmelpfennig, who led the team with 100 total tackles in 2014,

as well defensiveback Houston Earnest and linebacker Will Dunavant.

Daniel said that third-year starter Kyle Conner will take over Schimmelpfennig’s leadership role and Dylan Shepherd and Mac Redmon will fill the gaps as linebackers.

Brad Whicher and Justyn Jean-Felix will return on the defensive line.

In order to earn another playoff berth, the Longhorns will have to compete in a tough Region 6-AAAAAA schedule that includes Alpharetta, South Forsyth and West Forsyth.

“This is a very competitive region we’re in. Any of us can beat any one of us almost any night,” said Daniel, though he added that his team’s focus will be on the game at hand, not on the region rivals until that week arrives.

Daniel seems confident in his team, and if he can raise his player’s expectations, Lambert could finally cross the hurdle of winning a playoff game.

“We’ve expanded greatly on what we were doing [last season]. We’ve had a great summer and we’re excited.”

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Northview preview:

Titans entering season as a ‘mystery team’ Northview has talent, but top ’14 players gone

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JOHNS CREEK – After the first winning season and playoff berth in school history, it should have been a celebratory off-season for the Northview Titans, who were working to replace a talented senior class that was largely responsible for the team’s success.

The Titans graduated their quarterback, leading rushing, best receiver, top offensive lineman and most of the starting defense, but were scheduled to return a number of top players from that team.

But as Northview begins the 2015 season, the Titans are also missing their top two underclass defenders off last year’s team and a starting wide receiver. Josh Moran, a starter at safety who also played extensively at running back, has transferred to Milton, with defensive end Connor Owens and wide receiver Ricci Nuckles both transferring to North Gwinnett.

“We’re thin at some positions, but we’re still really talented,” says Northview coach Chad Davenport, who has elevated the Titans’ program since he took it over prior to the 2010 season.

Northview went 2-18 in the two seasons before Davenport became the head coach, with a number of the team’s top players leaving the school to join

a Chattahoochee team that went on to win a 2010 state championship. The Titans gradually improved over the next few seasons, going 5-5 in 2013 before a 7-3 record last year after a 5-0 start.

The Titans got some help last year from transfers, one of whom was Moran, who has changed schools after each of his three years in high school, going from Northview to Buford and back to Northview before landing at Milton.

Davenport anticipated having to replace a number of key players, with that number increasing slightly since the end of last season.

“As good as we were on defense last year, we only played 13 players,” Davenport points out. “We didn’t build any depth.”

The Titans held six opponents to seven or fewer points and completely shut down an explosive Alpharetta offense, losing 17-0 because of a sputtering offense and critical mistakes in the punting game.

The Northview offense scored 301 points in the team’s seven wins, but managed just eight points total in four losses, including a shutout against Milton in the playoffs.

“We were pretty good last year from the first game,” Davenport noted. “But

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Fellowship CHRISTIAN Preview:

Paladins hoping for second winning season Coach optimistic with mostly veteran squad

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL – Since going 11-2 in 2007 and reaching the Class A quarterfinals, the Fellowship Christian Paladins have been looking to recapture the magic of the only winning season the school has managed since joining the Georgia High School Association in 2004.

The Paladins went 4-6 last season, highlighted by a sweep of their three North Fulton rivals in Region 6-A South. Fellowship knocked off subregion champion Mt. Pisgah, defeated state playoff qualifier St. Francis and scored 47 points in a decisive victory over King’s Ridge.

But those were the only wins for the Paladins after a season-opening victory at Armuchee, with three of their six defeats coming by a combined 10 points.

With most of the starters returning, veteran head coach Al Morrell, in his third season at Fellowship, says he is “optimistic” about the 2015 season.

“We should be improved.”

The Paladins did not have a large senior class, with quar-

We’ll be better on defense...

Overall we have better depth than we’ve had in my three years here.”

Al Morrell Fellowship Coach

terback Shane Young and twoway lineman Deklan Reid “the two biggest losses,” according to their coach.

Jack Hardin, who started at linebacker as a sophomore, takes over at quarterback, and will give Fellowship more of a passing threat, although he is not the runner Young was.

Jake Williamson, the team’s No. 1 receiver last year, returns and will also start at cornerback as well as again handling the kicking duties.

He will be joined by returnee Bo Winn and newcomer Cameron Thomas, with starting linebacker Jackson Prior also part of what Morrell says will be “a rotation of four or five guys.”

Mystery: Continued from Page 14 we got worse on offense as the season went on.”

Quarterback D.J. Pearson, who signed with Arkansas State, passed for 2,013 touchdowns and 17 touchdowns in the regular season, but struggled against the stronger defenses the Titans faced. He enjoyed a very productive career at Northview as a three-year starter, and Davenport said, “You don’t replace him.”

Junior Paul Miller and sophomore Colton McDaniel are competing for the starting job and are getting “50-50 equal reps,” Davenport said.

The Northview coach described Miller as “more of an athlete with a good arm, but he’s young to the quarterback position. He’s a great runner.

Colton is a prototypical quarterback. He’s a grinder and has a good arm.”

Nathan Phillips and Moran combined for more than 1,000 yards rushing, and Davenport says that position is “a big concern.” Sophomore Emeka Nwanze “is going to be really good,” according to his coach, with junior A.J. Green causing problems for the defense because of his lack of height.

“He’s tough to see,” Davenport says of the 5-5 Green.

Senior Jair Anderson is the team’s top returning receiver and is a highly recruited prospect. He will be joined on the outside by sophomore Kyler McMichael, who Davenport says “is going to be special. He has speed, size and good hands. He can do it all.”

Dexter Carter-Jarrett, who has been stuck behind some good players, will get his chance as a senior.

The Titans return three starters in the of-

Andrew Minkert, who rushed for more than 600 yards, returns at running back along with fullback Tyler Matthesen, giving the Paladins a mostly veteran group around Hardin, who started just one game at quarterback last year.

Fellowship also has some experience up front, led by senior Reed Kroeber, who gives the team a 295-pound presence at one tackle. The 6-4 Kroeber is also a starter on the basketball team. Also returning are guard Clay Buchweitz and tackle Will Brigham, with Morrell indicating that sophomores will likely fill the other two positions.

“We should be fairly solid up front,” Morrell said, with

fensive line, and with Pearson gone, Davenport says the Titans “have to find a way to run the ball better.”

Returning are 6-4, 275-pound tackle Ben Everett, who Davenport says “is the best offensive lineman we’ve had.” Andrew Myers (285) is back at the other tackle, with center Thomas Lee lacking the size of his two line mates. Dylon Burns (290) is moving from defense and still learning as an offensive lineman, with Yousef Badr providing some quickness at guard.

The all-senior group has been in the Northview program for at least three seasons “and work well together,” Davenport says. “But we can’t get hurt.”

Starting linebacker Joseph Macrina will help on offense as a halfback, and “will be like a sixth offensive lineman,” Davenport says. “We’ll be a better running team and that will help the quarterback, whichever one we settle on.”

Macrina, a four-year starter, missed part of last season with an injury, and the Titans missed his leadership on the field. There are questions about the other linebacker position, but Davenport says the Titans will have both size and speed up front on defense.

Senior Alex Ikoku and sophomores Brock Mattison and Jackson Davenport are competing at end, with a pair of recent out-of-state transfers making a push at tackle.

Anderson and McMichael will likely do double duty at cornerback, with Anderson expected to also be a major contributor on defense. Chike Otaluka will play safety as part of a rotation of five or six players in the secondary.

Even with all the losses, expected and unexpected, Davenport says the team’s expectations “have not dropped down. We still think we can make the playoffs, but we are a mystery team.”

the Paladins likely to remain more of a controlled type offense, although they may throw more this season.

Kroeber will be a key part of the defensive line, and along with junior Jackson Kreikemeier, will give the Paladins plenty of size among their down linemen.

Senior Jeremy Wilson returns and will be part of a rotation of linemen including sophomore Davis Shaw and other offensive linemen.

EST. 1986

Morrell says the strength of the team should be at outside linebacker, with Prior and Nick Thompson back along with Buchweitz in the middle.

Wiliamson and junior Ryan Reid both return in the secondary, with Hardin moving to free safety to keep him from the physical pounding linebackers take.

“We’ll be better on defense,” Morrell says. “Overall we have better depth than we’ve had in my three years here.”

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@FellowshipCS | www.FellowshipChristianSchool.org @

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Pinecrest Academy preview:

Pinecrest seeks another playoff appearance

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga.- For the Paladins of Pinecrest Academy, the 2015 season will be their second in region 6-A where they finished 4-1 in the region, placing second behind Mt. Pisgah. Pinecrest ended the season 7-4 overall after being knocked out of the playoffs by Tattnall Square.

Though coach Todd Winter would like to repeat the success of the 2014 campaign, he said the focus is on improving the team day-to-day.

“We are taking it one day at a time. We’re not talking about playoffs. We are talking about what we have to do to get better each and every day,” he said.

“We have quite a few [returning players] so we’ve been able to get into it a little bit quicker and move forward. I would say we are able to focus more on the details.”

The Paladins offense, which averaged 23 points per game last season, will return offensive linemen Garrison Winter, Brian Flanagan and Logan Stafford, quarterback Ryan McCarthy and fullback Matthew Walters.

Overall, the Paladins will return players who accounted for 3,100 of the team’s 3,700 offensive yards last season.

Defensively, the Paladins will return six players, including their entire defensive line that includes Will Brown, Conner Ettmueller and Alex Fabian. Outside linebacker Peter Nelson and cornerback Mitchell Ojeda have also returned.

Brian McCarthy will con-

Matt Walters was named All-region “lineman of the year” last season. tinue to play both sides of the ball but will be moved to safety from his previous role as linebacker.

“We have a lot of linebackers that are really good. We have a lot of competition on the field and that’s going to make us better. That’s the key

Garrison Winter was named All-region first team last season.

to success,” Winter said.

Sophomore Michael Birozes will take over kicking duties as the Paladins lost kicker Greg Metz, and Ryan McCarthy will return as punter.

The Paladins will open their season with two scrimmages against Mt. Vernon

Ryan McCarthy was named All-region first team last season.

and Wesleyan, which Winter said will be a “great measuring stick.” Pinecrest will open the regular season with four non-region games, including Sep. 25 against 2014 Class A Private state champions Mt. Paran, before entering regional play. In region 6-A,

Pinecrest will face tough challenges against Mt. Pisgah, St. Francis and Fellowship Christian.

In 2014, the Paladins were 5-0 at home, and Winter said he has no doubt his team has a clear home-field advantage “between the pines.”

North Forsyth preview:

Raiders focus on fundamentals in off-season

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga.- The North Forsyth Raiders will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2014 season in which they went 1-9 and 1-8 in Region 6-AAAAAA. The Raiders defense allowed over 30 points per game while the offense averaged only 8 per game.

However, head coach Jason Galt attributes that to lack of experience and injuries.

“A lot of [the losses] wasn’t on what we were doing, we were just so decimated by injuries and we had such a small senior class. It was just a perfect storm. A lot of the guys we had playing for us out there were sophomores and freshman. Now all those guys are back with that varsity experience under their

belt,” he said.

The Raiders defense took a hit in the defensive back position as Logan Cross, Colton Miller and Noah Biber were all lost to graduation. Senior Jordan Palms and juniors Bradley Thomas and Robert Bishop will fill the gaps.

According to Galt, the focus on the defensive side in the offseason has been on fundamentals.

“Focus on fundamentals and not try to get too complicated. Philosophically, we have changed a little bit. We are going to be more of a read-and-react, fundamentally sound defense.”

Offensively, the Raiders lost halfback Jamal Davenport. Davenport will be replaced by Simon Holcomb, who Galt said is a player to watch.

“I think he is probably the best ath-

lete in the county. He’s a great football player and we expect him to make some noise this year.”

Holcomb will also play receiver and defensive back.

Graduated tight ends Jake Hubbard

and Tony Hudson will be replaced by Caleb Byrd and Alex Clark.

Center Cameron Clark will move to tackle to replace Andrew Johnson.

Galt said the focus of the offseason has been in the weight room and on doing the “little things right.”

The Raiders will face a challenging schedule that includes playing against two region champions of 2014 including Cherokee from Region 5-AAAAAA and four-time defending Region 6-AAAAAA champions Alpharetta.

Galt claimed he is a “glass-half-full kind of guy” and believes that his team can succeed.

“I feel like, with the number of guys that we have coming back from last year who have experience, we are a lot stronger and a lot quicker. This year we are very, very optimistic,” he said.

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Centennial Preview:

New coach brings new hope to the Knights Team talented on offense, defense all new

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL – For the past decade, the best Centennial football fans could expect was mediocrity.

The Knights enjoyed a successful three-year stretch from 2001-03, the fourth, fifth and sixth seasons for varsity football at the school. But since Mike Cloy, who started the school’s program, was dismissed after a 4-6 season in 2004, Centennial has had just one winning season (6-4 in 2007) and been to the playoffs twice, both after 5-5 records.

Three coaches were unable to put the Knights on a winning path, with former Grayson assistant Lenny Gregory taking over the program this season after three years under Jeff Carlberg produced just nine victories, five of them last season.

Gregory, who was a defensive assistant on the Chattahoochee staff from 2004-07, is familiar with Centennial’s history, but has a strong belief that the Knights’ future is much more promising than the past would indicate.

“The long-term goal is to win a state championship,” Gregory says. “That’s the goal every year. If I did not believe we could do that, I would not have taken the job.

“If you don’t have that vision, you will never accomplish anything.”

Gregory is attempting to alter the atmosphere surrounding the program, which has been one of the underlying reasons why the Knights have struggled to achieve success.

“What’s been lacking is a lack of pride and a sense of community,” Gregory observed.

“One of the biggest challenges is getting the community to support the boys.”

Gregory has made some cosmetic changes to areas where his players prepare and work out, and has made an attempt to instill a unifying purpose to the team’s efforts.

Early indications are that it is working.

“I have a good blueprint about what things look like, and that’s a big part of coaching – far more than X’s and O’s. I feel like the kids are buying in. Our goal is to out-work our opponents. The one thing you can control is how hard you work.”

Centennial has not been viewed as a plum job for prospective head football coaches, but Gregory sees things differently.

“I thought this was really an attractive situation for me. I think all the perceptions about this place are wrong. We have an incredible amount of talent, and people are going to start to notice things are changing.”

Gregory comes from a program that won a state championship in 2011 and made a number of deep playoff runs during his time there. He was the Rams’ defensive coordinator his last two seasons at Grayson, and inherits a serious challenge to upgrade what has been a porous defense in recent years. The Knights

What’s been lacking is a lack of pride and a sense of community...

One of the biggest challenges is getting the community to support the boys.”

Lenny Gregory Centennial Coach scored plenty of points in their three seasons under Carlberg, but the defense gave up even more.

The Knights lost almost their entire defensive unit, and with an exception or two, that is probably a good thing for Gregory and his defensive staff.

“Everything they’re learning is new,” Gregory said of the Knights’ defensive players.

“They’ve been like sponges about everything.”

Gregory says the Centennial defense will be young and not especially big, but is “very athletic.”

Among the better athletes is senior cornerback Josh Johnson, whom Gregory considers a Division 1 prospect despite his

lack of size.

Gregory also likes senior Jerry Hippolyte, who will play a hybrid outside linebacker/ safety position, and senior Max Martin, who is moving from defensive end to inside linebacker.

Gregory’s son Jacob has joined his father at Centennial and will be “a vocal leader” from his middle linebacker position. “He understands the defense better than everybody.

It’s fun that I get to do this with my son, but nobody on the team wants to be him.”

There is competition at multiple positions, but Gregory says he feels “pretty good about the defense. We’re two-deep everywhere and we’re doing a good of building depth.

That’s a big point of emphasis.”

Gregory doesn’t have nearly as many concerns on offense, with the Knights returning a talented group with experience.

Junior Casen Conway returns at quarterback, and Gregory considers him “one of the top quarterbacks in the state. He can really sling it.”

Conway had some big games as a sophomore operating out of the spread, but Gregory says, “As a defensive coach, I believe in running the football. That’s new for this program. It’s been a big learning curve for the offensive line to learn to run block.”

The Knights return a veteran unit up front, with Gregory expecting to utilize about eight linemen on a regular basis.

Two-year starter Tariq Parkings is 6-4 and 330, but Gregory says the senior tackle “can really move.

He’s very talented and physical and is a Division 1 prospect.” Bill Barton, a

270-pound guard, is also a two-year starter, with center Dalton Moore (260) also playing defense as a nose guard.

Brian Dejarnette (6-7, 250) is back at tackle.

Gregory compares sophomore Nick Croawell to Clint Boling, who played at Chattahoochee when Gregory was on the staff there and went on to star at Georgia before becoming a starting guard for the Cincinnati Bengals.

“They’re very similar,” Gregory said, “Nick is farther along as a sophomore.”

The Knights’ top returning player is senior Caden Herring, who will start on defense at safety and will again serve in a variety of roles on offense.

“Caden is very versatile offensively, and we’ll move him around so the defense never knows where he’s at,” Gregory says. “But it’s no secret that we’re going to get him the ball.”

Herring will be one of Conway’s primary targets along with sophomore Blane Mason, whom Gregory describes as “a dynamic player who has caught people’s eye” in summer camps. “He’s going to be one of the top receivers in the country before he leaves.”

Johnson will also put his speed to use on offense, with junior Tyreke Smith expected to contribute after filling in for an injured Herring this summer in the team’s 7-on-7 competitions. Jacob Gregory will also play extensively on offense at tight end.

Senior Luther Martinez returns at running back and will be a beneficiary of his coach’s preference for running the ball more than the Knights have done the past few seasons.

St. Francis preview:

Knights plan to continue success in 2nd year of region play

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA – Playing a region football schedule for the first time last season, the St. Francis Knights went 7-3 and qualified for the state Class A private school playoffs.

The Knights, who played their first full varsity season in 2012, advanced quickly from a neophyte program to playoff qualifier, in large part due to a strong senior class that graduated this past spring.

“We lost a big senior class,” St. Francis coach Brennen Booth said.

“But we still have a lot of talent in the program.

“We’ve got to figure out some personnel. We’ve got guys who did not start but played a bunch, and we’ve got to develop some depth. I think we’re go-

ing to compete like we did last year.”

All three losses came against subregion opponents, including an excruciating overtime setback against Pinecrest and a late-season loss to North Fulton opponent Fellowship Christian.

St. Francis came back the next week with a decisive win over Region 6-A opponent Trion to qualify for the playoffs, where the Knights lost to 2013 state champion Aquinas.

The Lions graduated 12 seniors from last season, with almost all of them playing major roles. Most of the team’s returning regulars are juniors, with the senior class significantly smaller than last year.

One area where the Lions have some experience is in the offensive backfield, with three of the four starters returning. Matt Davis is back at quarterback after starting as a sophomore, with fel-

low junior Avery Showell rushing for 12 touchdowns last year.

The Knights will miss A.J. Cummings, the other starter at running back, with senior Jacob Davis taking over at that spot after starting on defense and playing quite a bit on offense.

Senior Zach Wanamaker, also a defensive starter who played on offense, will again see action at running back.

Also returning is junior fullback Jordan Ferguson, who gives the Knights some size at that position.

Daryian Basco returns as a starting receiver, and sophomore Jalen Jordan moves into the starting lineup after growing into a 6-4, 190-pound frame.

Booth says he expects Jordan to become the team’s primary receiver in the Knights’ run-oriented offense, with Showell and Davis both lining up in the slot in passing situations.

Most of the offensive line is gone, but 250-pound senior center Alex Meredith returns, with 220-pound senior Connor Mediate taking over at one tackle.

Junior Travis Kunsman (225) will be the other tackle, with twins Carson and Chandler White, both 6-4 and 250, taking their games from the basketball court to the football field.

Most of the starters on offense will also be starting on defense.

Meredith will play the nose in the Knights’ 3-4, with the White twins at tackle. Bosco will fill one outside linebacker spot, with Steve Kinder man at the other.

Ferguson, the lone returning starter, and Wanamaker will be the inside linebackers, with Booth pointing to the linebacker positions as one of the areas hardest hit by graduation.

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Blessed Trinity Preview:

Veteran Titans expecting another playoff run Shelton, Davis lead talented returning group

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com

Quaterback Conor Davis (13) looks downfield for a reciever.

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improved each season since former Roswell head coach Tim McFarlin took over the BT program prior to the 2011 season.

The Titans won a state playoff game for the first time in 2011, scored a school-record nine victories the next season, advanced to the quarterfinals in 2013 and made it to the semifinals last season before losing to Washington County for a second straight time.

The only way for the Titans to improve on last year’s outstanding season is to again go unbeaten during the regular season and make it to their first-ever state championship game.

With the majority of the team’s starters returning, including the standout runpass duo of Milton Shelton and Conor Davis along with a strong offensive line, that is not out of the question. But McFarlin has experienced the challenge a junior-oriented team faces trying to follow up on an exceptional season.

McFarlin’s Roswell Hornets suffered a slight drop-off the year after sharing a state title in 2006, and he hopes this year’s Titans can avoid that fate.

“Last year was one of those pleasant surprises that happen in coaching,” McFarlin said.

“But I’ve been in this situation before when a team surprises you but then has so many expectations the next year. If you don’t keep (the expectations) in check, it doesn’t do the team any favors.”

Unlike the 2006 Roswell team, BT did not make it to the state championship game.

“There was not a feeling of completeness,” McFarlin said of the 2014 Titans. “The kids wanted to play another game.”

The Titans suffered their only loss in the state semifinals to Washington County and state Player of the Year A.J. Gray, now a freshman at Georgia Tech. The team’s 13-1 record improved Blessed Trinity to 38-13 under McFarlin, with seven playoff victories in four years.

This year’s team will be missing linebacker/tight end Pat Jasinski, who led the team on and off the field and will play as a freshman at Central Florida.

“He was a very mature leader and there was no doubt who was in charge of the football team when Pat was on the field,” McFarlin said. “He left an unbelievable work ethic.”

Jasinski is gone, but fellow starting linebackers Logan

Craighead and Garrett Dupuis both return and form the foundation of what should be another strong defensive unit.

Jake Bogosian and Joe Anderson will also see action at the position, with the Titans rolling a number of different players through various positions, with many of the team’s starters seeing action on both sides of the football.

Elijah Hamilton, Matthew Higgins, Colin Davis and Shelton, who will all contribute to varying degrees on offense, head up what McFarlin expects to be a better secondary.

Shelton has been the team’s top running back since his freshman season in 2012, but will see significant action on defense.

“Milton gives us another dimension back there,” McFarlin says. “We have more team speed there.”

Sam Paul and Jake Rudolph, who played some as a freshman, will also be part of the Titans’ defensive backfield.

Matthew Castner, a thirdyear starter, returns at tackle along with Griffin Gilder, giving the Titans plenty of size on the interior. Shane Parton and James Ellis provide experience at end.

Castner and junior Jacob Bolton give the Titans a pair of quality players around 300 pounds on the right side of the offensive line, with Huiet Joseph back at center and the lone starter under 260. Matt Maloof takes over at left guard, with fellow junior Gilder and Matthew Davis competing at left tackle.

“We have a run mentality,” McFarlin said, with the Titans putting up some impressive rushing numbers in recent seasons. “If we can run the ball, we’re happy.”

Shelton rushed for more than 1.350 yards and 17 touchdowns despite missing several games due to injury, with Hamilton, Dupuis and Anderson all filling in capably when Shelton was sidelined.

“We have good depth at tailback and that frees us up to play Milton more on defense,” McFarlin pointed out. “He’s just as good on defense as he is on offense.”

Bogosian, one of several baseball standouts from BT’s back-to-back state champions, will be the primary fullback, a blocking position for the Titans.

As strong a running game as the Titans have, they are

See TITANS, Page 19

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August 2015 19

Alpharetta Preview:

Raiders look to continue as top team in region Lots of holes to fill after heavy loss of talent

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA – For the past four seasons, the Alpharetta Raiders have been the dominant team in Region 6-AAAAAA. The Raiders are 28-1 in region play over that span, winning the region championship three times and finishing as runner-up in 2012. Alpharetta enjoyed its best season in school history last year, going 10-2 and reaching the second round of the state playoffs for a second straight time.

As has been the case in recent seasons, the Raiders lost a large and talented group of seniors, and also have had at least five front-line players transfer to Milton. This year’s squad may have a few more question marks entering the season than recent Alpharetta teams, which are 35-11 since the breakthrough season of 2011.

“I still expect us to compete for a region title,” head coach Jacob Nichols said. “A lot of people in the region are like us with a lot to replace, but we’ve had a pretty good bit of success in our younger programs.”

The Raiders lost almost all their top skill position players on offense, including quarterback Austin King, an Indiana signee. They also lost defensive line standout Andrew Butcher, now at Tennessee, along with most of the team’s other top defensive players.

One of the few areas with experience is the offensive line, which traditionally has not been a strength for the Raiders, who have been a passoriented team with a string of top-flight quarterbacks, most notably Josh Dobbs, the starter at Tennessee.

Sophomore E.J. Magill and junior Matthew Downing are competing for the starting spot,

and were “pretty even” going into summer practice, according to Nichols. “They spilt reps on the JV last year.”

Nichols says Magill “is more of a pocket passer” like King, while Downing, the third of three brothers to play for the Raiders in recent seasons, “is a good athlete. He could play two or three different positions, but he could be a game changer at quarterback.”

Regardless of which player wins the starting job, Nichols says the Raiders will continue in their spread offense, but he said he hopes “we will be a little more physical in the running game.”

The Raiders return three starting offensive linemen – guards M.J. Lee (6-4, 300) and Tommy Sprague (6-3, 265) and undersized center Nicholas Hayward.

Sprague will move to tackle with 260-pounder Ethan Sebok taking over at his guard position and Pierce Cusick (235) moving into the starting lineup at the other tackle.

Other than Hayward, Nichols says this will be “one of the bigger lines we’ve had,” with the Raiders looking to run more effectively than they have in recent seasons.

“I like our two running backs,” Nichols said. Sophomore Nolan Edmonds transferred from Lovett, and Nichols says he has been “pretty impressive. He’ll be a major contributor.” Junior Jalen Young is a small, versatile back who will give the Raiders “a good receiver out of the backfield.”

The only returning skill position player is wide receiver Nick Carlton. He will be joined by tall, rangy Carlos Carriere, who also plays basketball for the Raiders, and Darryl Bivens, who Nichols likens to Daniel Clements, who was very effective as a slot receiver a few seasons ago.

Titans: Continued from Page 18 very capable of throwing the football effectively. Conor Davis is back for a third season as a starter, passing for 1,790 yards and 20 touchdowns last year with only six interceptions in 14 games.

Davis attracted some attention when he had a huge game in a junior showcase game featuring some of the state’s top players, and McFarlin says he believes the senior QB “can play at any level.” Davis has committed to a baseball scholarship with

“We may have more speed than we’ve had the last couple of years,” Nichols said.

When the Raiders emerged as a region championship team, they did so primarily by outscoring opponents with their explosive spread offense.

“Last year we started to trend the other way,” Nichols pointed out, with the Raiders relying more on a deep group of defensive linemen led by Butcher and a talented secondary.

“We lost a lot of size, strength and experience in the defensive line,” Nichols noted, with the loss of Butcher’s pass rush very difficult to replace.

“We may not be able to get away with rushing just four,” Nichols said, with multiyear starter Khari Cobbs the top returner in the line. Justin Nicholson and Omari Campbell will give the Raiders some strength up front.

The Raiders also graduated middle linebacker Jake Behrend, who was frequently the only linebacker on the field. Junior Matt Gadecki and sophomore Reid Schulz are the leading candidates to start at linebacker this season along with senior Isaac Daniel.

The team was very deep in the secondary last year, but in addition to the graduation of several senior starters, the Raiders lost a few underclassmen who transferred.

That leaves senior cornerback Dejon Rowe, one of the area’s top defensive players, as the glue who will hold things together.

Nichols says he is considering using Rowe some at free safety so he can play the whole field, not just locking down a receiver on one side.

“We’re trying to find the best fit for him. We’re looking at three or four different combinations. We don’t have as much experience, but we have

Cougars receiver Isaac Kinsey (25) is wrapped up by Alpharetta defenders Matt Moore (24) and Troy Simon (6) last year. more athleticism and speed.

Junior Yemi Mabiaku is a likely regular at cornerback, with senior transfers Harry Cokley and Asante Long also looking to contribute in the secondary. Sophomore Vinny Duggasani is in the running at strong safety.

The Raiders also have to replace Ryan Kopec, who handled the kicking duties and returned punts, as well as starting as a receiver. Sophomore Dylan Schorr could fill both kicking roles, with Downing possibly competing for the punting job.

... I’ve been in this situation before when a team surprises you but then has so many expectations the next year. If you don’t keep (the expectations) in check, it doesn’t do the team any favors.”

Tim McFarlin, Blessed Trinity Coach Kentucky, but is also getting offers for football.

Receiver hasn’t been a Titans’ strength the past few seasons, but McFarlin is looking for big things from Matthew Higgins, the top target for

Davis last season. Colin Davis, Conor’s younger brother, is the likely starter at the other receiver, with Shelton expected to occasionally line up as a slot receiver.

Craighead will be the primary tight

end after splitting time with Jasinski last year, with freshman J.D. Bertrand also seeing action at the position.

Brooks Hosea and Adam Fenlon will handle the punting and placekicking duties.

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Roswell Preview:

Talented Hornets in line for big season RB Evans, LB Lamar among state’s best

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL – After three uncharacteristically unsuccessful seasons, the Roswell Hornets reclaimed their status as a playoff team last year, going 8-4 and reaching the second round of the AAAAAA playoffs.

The Hornets were the only team to defeat Region 5-AAAAAA champion Milton and scored an impressive playoff victory over Lambert before losing 38-28 to Hillgrove.

With one of the state’s top running backs, two ACCbound defensive stars, a large and experienced offensive line and a talented group in the defensive secondary, the Hornets are poised for a big season.

Third-year head coach John Ford, who has helped return the Hornets’ program to prominence, shies away from predicting success (or lack of it) for his teams, but likes his team’s character and competitiveness and how the Hornets responded last year after winning seven games total the previous three seasons.

“They remembered how good it feels to win. I thought last year we had a really good team coming in to the season and they were a fun group to coach. We lost some good senior leaders, but the guys coming back have stepped up and taken leadership roles.”

The Hornets graduated two of their three skill position standouts -- wide receiver Mechane Slade and quarterback James Whitaker – but return running back Sheldon Evans, who piled up over 1,900 yards on the ground as a sophomore and rushed for 21 touchdowns, putting up some huge numbers the second half of the season and in the playoffs.

Evans, a strong runner with breakaway speed, carried a heavy rushing load as the season went on, and Ford hopes to limit his carries this year.

George Arowoselu is a capable backup and the Hornets have some depth at the position.

Quintarius Neely, a transfer from Lovejoy, takes over at quarterback, and Ford believes he has the arm and running ability to effectively replace Whitaker, who passed for 2,250 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Sheldon Evans (1), RB, Roswell, one of state's top backs, attempts to evade Lambert defender Patrick Noble (22).

The Hornets also have promising sophomore Walt Warren at quarterback, and Ford expects Warren to make his mark before he graduates.

Slade, who signed with Memphis, will be missed for his big play ability, but the Hornets will not lack for talent at the receiver positions.

Kendrick Jackson, Myles Blouin and Jayden Comma all return, with Arowoselu also likely to get some touches as a receiver as well as a ball carrier.

“We need to find a way to get him the ball,” Ford said.

The line is led by returning starters Cameron Whiteman (6-3, 290) and center Will Stapelfeldt (270), with Jordan Tucker (6-5, 310) back in action after an injury. Jack Nichols gives the Hornets a fourth lineman over 250, with Jared Lyons also returning after playing at a modest 210 pounds last season.

Roswell also has some size at the hybrid fullback/tight

Roswell will be led by Clemson commit Tre Lamar (6-4, 240), one of the state’s top linebackers, and defensive end/ outside linebacker Tyrone Hopper, a North Carolina commit who emerged as a big-time player last year. end position, with several players likely to split playing time.

The Hornets won most of their games last season largely due to their explosive offense, but should be much improved on defense.

Roswell will be led by Clemson commit Tre Lamar (6-4, 240), one of the state’s top linebackers, and defensive end/outside linebacker Tyrone Hopper, a North Carolina commit who emerged as a big-time player last year.

“I expect us to play good defense this year,” Ford said.

“I’m glad we don’t have to play against Tre, and Tyrone was a

revelation last year how well he played.”

Max Boyd, who will also play some fullback, is back at defensive end along with Koby Cumberlander. Junior Grant Silver (255) will be the nose tackle on a line that Ford said “is not gigantic, but we have a decent combination of size and athleticism.”

Sam DiRoberto played well at linebacker last season and gives the Hornets a strong trio along with Lamar and Hopper.

Justin Ellis will also see action at end and outside linebacker in addition to playing tight end on offense.

The secondary will be led by hard-hitting safety Marcelino Ball, with the Hornets again strong in the defensive backfield despite losing three players who will be playing in college this fall.

Juniors LeAnthony Williams, Xavier McKinney and Justus Harris will take over for the departed trio after seeing some varsity action last year, with Noah King serving as a third cornerback against spread teams.

Roswell had to overcome some problems with the kicking game, an unusual situation for a team with a history of outstanding punters and kickers, including two currently in NFL camps. Jack Pigott is expected to be the punter, with Turner Barckhoff the kicker and Matthew Smith the long snapper.

The Hornets will need to be ready in a hurry, as they open the season Aug. 21 at home against traditional state power Lowndes, which won last year’s game 37-14 in Valdosta.

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August 2015 21

South Forsyth preview:

War Eagles look to rebuild offense

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga.- South Forsyth’s offense will look much different in the 2015 campaign as they lost two-year starting quarterback Matt White, tailback Tyler LaFlamme and their entire offensive line to graduation. White threw for over 2,100 yards in 2014 and Laflamme, an Auburn commit, ran for over 1,600 yards.

The War Eagles offense averaged nearly 40 points per game last season, leading them to a 6-5 season and a trip to the playoffs.

“We lost a lot of good seniors last year. We have a lot of guys we’ve had to replace so we definitely have our work cut out for us,” said head coach Jeff Arnette. “We have a lot of spots to fill.”

Junior Davis Shanley and senior Austin Harvey are currently competing to replace White at quarterback.

Arnette said it is difficult to say whether his team can match the offensive performance of last year given the low number of full practices they have run.

“It’s hard to tell what we have and what direction our team will go. As you’re trying to find out who’s replacing [graduated seniors] you start to find out what their strengths are and you try to build to those strengths.

Right now we just haven’t had enough practices to know where our strengths are going to be.”

Though the outlook of the team, both offensively and defensively, is still being worked out, Arenette is very pleased with the War Eagle’s summer.

“We’ve probably had as good of an off-season as we’ve ever had. I think that’s because we have such great leadership and great work ethic in our senior class. I think that flows down into the other classes. As young as we are and as much inexperience as we have, I do think we’ve had the best summer since I’ve been here. It’s encouraging and it says a lot about our leadership.”

“We were focused on having a great summer and getting in the best shape we could be and I feel like we have done that,” he said.

The War Eagles will face the same opponents as during the 2014 campaign. That includes tough region battles against Alpharetta, West Forsyth and Lambert, three teams that handed the War Eagles losses last season.

Arnette hopes that two consecutive winning seasons and last year’s playoff run will help improve his team’s confidence and performance on the field this year.

“We’ve had back-to-back winning seasons and made the playoffs last year so hopefully our kids are expecting that kind of [performance]. Sometimes, when the kids start to expect [to win] they play better and they play with more confidence. So hopefully we will continue to build on the success we’ve had.”

West Forsyth’s Austin Reid (23) attempts to stiff arm an Alpharetta player during a game last year.

West Forsyth preview:

Wolverines seeking eighth straight winning season

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga.- Since their inaugural season in 2007, the West Forsyth Wolverines have yet to have a losing season. However, their winning season of 6-4 last season was not enough to earn them a playoff berth. The Wolverines had made the postseason the previous four years.

Head coach Adam Clack said, “I think the guys are really hungry to get back into the playoffs and make a mark on Region 6. We made the playoffs four years in a row and last year we finished in a tie for third. And, due to the tiebreakers, we were on the outside looking in. We finished where we did because we didn’t do some of the little things that could have gotten us there.”

Clack said the focus of the offseason has been on creating team chemistry, an aspect he said could help his team prevail in the close games that cost the Wolverines a playoff spot last year.

“We want to create a great team chemistry, one that’s going to be able to respond to any adversity that’s going to come along through the season.

We have spent more time than we ever have on team chemistry and character development.”

The Wolverines offense will be without 2014 starting quarterback Hampton McConnell, who graduated.

Clack said a replacement starter will not be named until after the Wolverine’s Aug. 14 scrimmage game against Carrolton. There are four players currently competing for the position, including sophomores Zach

Burns and Austin Marshall, as well as junior Zach Burns and Kiernen Hamilton, a transfer from New York.

Clack said all potential starters are talented and have worked hard in the offseason.

The Wolverines defensive line will be without Alec Coburn, who averaged 5.2 tackles a game and had 10 sacks last season. Junior Eli Huggins will move from linebacker to fill the gap left

by Coburn.

West Forsyth will also be without outside linebacker Jeffrey Cooley, whom Clack called the “heart and soul of the team.” Thomas Arundale and Heath McConnell will cover the outside linebacker duties.

Clack said junior free safety Joey Congrove, “has really shined this spring and summer and is someone who can step up and be a leader on defense.”

Clack said that though many positions on offense and defense have standouts, there is competition for playing time at every position.

“There is not a position that is not up for grabs. We are truly looking at a team where there will be 30-35 guys that will compete on a week-to-week basis.”

It is Clack’s hope that this competition among his players will improve them on the field.

“Every week a starter is going to have to earn his job. We’re hoping that is going to make an opportunity for us to get better.”

“We are going to be a team of great urgency, enthusiasm and grit. We plan to embody that every week. We’re ready for the season and are anxiously waiting.”

22 August 2015

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Johns Creek preview:

New coach aims to rebuild Gladiators Recent struggles follow early success

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK – Matt Kemper has been a head coach in the football hotbeds of Ohio, Florida and Georgia, and has taken over a number of programs in similar situations.

“Usually I come into a rebuilding situation and try to fix things.” Kemper says.

“That’s my M.O. and I’m fine with that.”

In Kemper’s first stint in Georgia, he helped turn around a Pope program that had gone seven straight seasons without a winning record.

Kemper’s latest assignment is the Johns Creek Gladiators, who have a short but interesting history. In their second season of varsity football, the Gladiators went 9-1 in 2011 and qualified for the state playoffs.

Johns Creek backed up that season with an 8-2 mark in 2012 and another playoff berth, but almost all the top players off those teams graduated after the 2012 season.

There was a marked drop-off in talent and the Gladiators went 1-19 the next two seasons, costing veteran head coach Mike Cloy his job.

Kemper believes there is a “lot of potential here. It’s a great community and the facility is immaculate.”

The Gladiators’ new head coach recognized the good work done by Cloy in getting the Johns Creek program started, and noted, “Teams

go through cycles in numbers and talent and that’s a major factor.”

Kemper says he comes to Johns Creek “with a formula we’ve used that comes from guys who built programs.”

He takes over a team he says “is a little bit young and we don’t have a big senior class. We won’t be able to charge right out of the gate.

We’ve talked about competing – not winning and losing – and the rest of the stuff will take care of itself. We plan to be a competitive program again.”

One of Kemper’s aims for his first Johns Creek team is to build depth, but he doesn’t have much in the way of returning regulars from last season to build around. He would like to rotate a number of players in the defensive line, but is still looking for candidates.

Junior Vincent Versteg and senior Brandon Krost are both likely to play extensively in the defensive front, with Krost seeing some action last year, as did end Scott Stupek.

“We’re going to play the small, quick card,” Kemper says. “We’ll move guys around and strategically use pressure, but the strength of our defense needs to be our back seven.”

Inside linebacker Myles Myers is a key returning starter, with Mark Lancaster, the top player on last season’s basketball team, returning at outside linebacker. Nick Lancaster, Mark’s younger brother, is also competing at outside

linebacker, along with junior K.J. Simpson and Hunter Lee, who plays a hybrid linebacker/ safety position.

The secondary will consist mainly of juniors, with safeties Cole Neuber and Jack Somers and cornerbacks Brandon Crews and Cash Callaway leading the way along with promising sophomore Daquez Crawford.

“It’s a lot easier to learn defense but a lot harder to play it,” Kemper says. “Hopefully the learning part is behind us, and I hope the defensive group is a strength early on.”

Kemper noted that the Gladiators “had a lot of injuries last year on offense and several young kids got some playing time.”

The Johns Creek offense will be option oriented, but will still operate out of the spread.

Kemper said, “We put a lot on the quarterback’s shoulders,” and he has two players competing for the starting job – senior Jeremy Disher and junior Riggs Poitevent.

Kemper wants a dual-threat player at the position, and says Disher and Poitevent “are both athletic, can throw and both are intelligent.”

Matt Kriteman, who had some promising games last year as a sophomore, returns at running back, with Matthew Taylor giving the Gladiators a slightly bigger option at the position. Johns Creek also has sophomore Gerard Hearst, one of a number of athletes at Johns Creek with famous athletic fathers. Hearst’s father, Garrison, a former Georgia

Scott Stupek, right, saw some time on Johns Creek’s defensive line last year.

Bulldog, played in the NFL for 10 seasons.

Kemper wants the Gladiators to be able to run the ball, and believes the talent exists at running back to make that happen.

Darien Clark is about the only receiver with much varsity experience, and Kemper said, “A lot of young guys need to contribute. “ Zach Williams is a 6-4, 220-pound sophomore described by his coach as “a tight-end type who can play in space.” Also getting a look are sophomore Alonzo Nelson,

Jordan Oballe, Reed Maness and likely defensive regulars Neuber and Crawford.

The offensive line could be one of the team’s stronger units, with several players who started or played regularly last year. Anders Olsen, one of the team’s top returning players, moves from tackle to guard, with Jack Coco making the same switch. Center Zach Kalin will team with the two converted guards to give the line “some strength in the middle,” according to Kemper, with sophomore Matt Goldstein showing some early promise.

CHECK NORTHFULTON.COM AND FORSYTHHERALD.COM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR MORE FOOTBALL COVERAGE

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FOOTBALL PREVIEW • Sponsored Section

August 2015 23

We Have Exciting News!

In the last five years (2008-2013) which media use is increasing?

47% 48%

17%

Survey Question: “Which of the following news sources would you say that you rely on the most for news about issues and problems in Johns Creek?

18%

15%

13% 5% 5%

Atlanta Journal Constitution

5/2/2013

10/1/2008

Johns Creek Herald

Johns Creek Patch*

9%

7% 3%

Johns TV Stations Creek From Neighbor** Atlanta

1%

Internet

4% Other

4%

5%

Unsure or Refused

APPEN MEDIA newspapers reach 40% more (over 30,000 more homes) in North Fulton / South Forsyth than the next closest competitor and is by far the preferred source for local news. If your business depends on reaching buyers in North Fulton or South Forsyth, we deliver. Why settle for less? Let us connect you. Call now for more advertising information 770-442-3278.

Circulation Comparison

AppenMediaGroup.com Survey of Voter Attitudes in Johns Creek, Georgia conducted from April 30 - May 2, 2013

by The Tarrance Group for the City of Johns Creek. Question #QD7. *Listed as Johns Creek Post in 2008 survey. ** Not included in 2008 survey.

AJC WEEKDAY 16,481

AJC SUNDAY 29,241

NEIGHBOR 43,250

APPEN 75,000

Data based on the following: 2013 CVC Audit for Appen, 2013 ABC Audit for the AJC, 2013 CAC Audit for the Neighbor. Comparison only of circulation in Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, and Forsyth county.

24 | September 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

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