2016 High School Football Season Preview

NorthFulton.com • ForsythHerald.com, August 2016

2016 SEASON PREVIEW

High School Football 2016 Season Preview is sponsored by:

Pictured: Roswell’s Sheldon Evans (1) carries the ball during the State Championship game Dec. 12 against Colquitt County.

Photo courtesy Maura Roberts Photography.

2 | August 2016 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 2016 2016 | 3

ALPHARETTA PREVIEW:

Raiders focusing on mental toughness after disappointing 2015

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com

getting back to contention in its new region, 7-AAAAAA, and the Raiders will return much of their core from last season.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- After five straight “The good news for us is we were playoff appearances and a 28-1 record young last year,” Nichols said. “We have in Region 6-AAAAAA from 2012-15, over 20 players with varsity playing exthird-year Alpharetta head coach Jacob perience coming back for this year, 12 Nichols said perhaps his team became of those players were starters. We also too comfortable, making last season’s have some young players stepping up.”

5-5 record even more bitter.

Junior quarterback Matt Downing “The 2015 season was a difficult will return for the Raiders, likely as the season for us as a program,” said starter. Downing threw for 1,449 yards Nichols. “It was a different experience last season with 19 touchdowns and 10 from what we had gotten used to and interceptions. unfortunately, maybe we had gotten Also returning to the backfield will a little too comfortable. We got off be junior running back Nolan Edmonds to a hot start in 2015 after having a who rushed for 974 yards and 10 record-breaking 2014, and we hit a few touchdowns in 2015. hurdles midseason and unfortunately I The offensive line saw the biggest think it was the lack of character that loss, as four linemen graduated last we had built on for our team. We let it season. Offensive tackle Pierce Cusick get the best of us.” returns for his senior season and says Nichols said the focus for his team that though some in the offseason has starters have been been to improve lost, many of the mental toughness rising players have and character to get varsity game experithe Raiders back to ence. what they had grown “Last year we had accustomed to over a lot of rotation with many years — winthe younger guys, ning. so those guys have “One of the experience and are things we decided to now coming in to do in the offseason starting roles,” said was to build ourCusick. selves back up and The Raiders focused on character defense also returns building and work much of the 2015 ethic. We’ve been team, including trying to get our linebackers Reid guys more mentally Schultz, who led the tough. People are team in tackles last going to get hurt season, and Matt and you’re going to Gadecki. get down in games, Defensive end but we have to have Nick Markus, who more resilience and Eric Cave led the team in make sure we can Alpharetta senior defensive end, tight end sacks last seahandle those situason with six and tions,” he said. recorded 62 total tackles, returns for Eric Cave, a senior defensive end his junior season. and tight end, shares Nichols’ feeling After the disappointment of 2015, on last season.

Coach Nichols said his returning play“We have been focusing not only on ers and their hard work in the offseagetting stronger in the weight room and son gives this season a positive outlook. getting better on the field, we have also “I’m very excited about this season, been focusing on team leadership,” said it looks very promising,” he said. “We’re Cave. “We are trying to set goals. We setting goals to work harder and take need people to carry us. Last year we it one day at a time and hopefully that needed people to carry us and it wasn’t will lead to ultimate success.” really there, so our offseason focus is Alpharetta will look to get back on on that aspect as well.” top of the region standings against Nichols said he has worked with his many of the teams it dominated beplayers extensively on mental toughtween 2012-15. The Raiders will face ness and the progress has shown. He five of the same opponents from last hopes that will result in Alpharetta

We are trying to set goals. We need people to carry us. Last year we needed people to carry us and it wasn’t really there, so our offseason focus is on that aspect as well.”

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Alpharetta’s Carlos Carriere (7) catches a pass over Chattahoochee’s Josh Barbee (5) during a game last season. year’s Region 6-AAAAAA, and the goal is to be back on top where the team won three straight region titles before last season.

But players Eric Cave and Pierce Cusick know that challenge won’t be easy.

“Our region has always been loaded with talent, so really it’s the

same as it always has been. We just need to get back to where we want to be. Competition makes us better,” said Cusick.

Cave added, “This is anybody’s region, but we would like to see Alpharetta back on top.”

4 | August 2016 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Head coach Adam Clack expects West Forsyth’s strength to be their defensive front seven, which includes safety Joey Congrove (20).

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West Forsyth preview:

Wolverines to focus on consistency to get over the hump in 2016

By MILES GARRETT news@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Consistency is always a common denominator for any good football team.

This year the West Forsyth Wolverines will be focusing on just that as they enter the 2016 season entering into a new region after having a string of success under head coach Adam Clack.

“This season will be a great challenge as we have lined up what is undoubtedly the toughest schedule in West Forsyth history,” he said. “We have several players returning this year with varsity experience and it will be that experience along with our senior leadership that will decide our fate this football season.”

Clack said that consistency is the

key for his team to finally win a region championship among the other Forsyth schools in the new region, as well as Milton High School.

“This year will be all about ‘Finish’ for the Wolverines,” he said. “We have played some good football the last couple of years but have been unable to maintain the consistency it takes to secure a region championship. We are very excited for the new challenges of 7A and a modified region that includes all of the Forsyth County schools and a very formidable opponent in Milton.”

In order to obtain this level of play, West Forsyth implemented a summer workout routine that took advantage of attention-to-detail attitude among players. This included small-detail-discipline, consistency and maximum effort.

Clack believes that this will pay off

in dividends come Friday nights this fall.

“We believe this to be the key ingredients to finish out close games and finish off tough opponents,” he said. “Our team has shown tremendous growth both mentally and physically through this process and we are extremely excited to kick off the 2016 season.”

Offensively, the Wolverines return senior quarterback Kiernen Hamilton who led Region 6-AAAAAA last season with 29 touchdowns. To coincide with Hamilton are junior receivers Ben Bresnahan and Bryce Jones as well as junior slot back Zach Burns.

West Forsyth will be replacing a few starters on the offensive line after the departure of graduated seniors. Clack will be looking to a few of his seniors to help the young group learn and grow together.

“Offensively we will have some big shoes to fill up front,” he said. “We lost four very solid seniors last year, but returning starters senior center Hunter Jolly and senior tackle Ryan O’Neill will be called on to step up and provide leadership as this unit begins to gel.”

On the defensive side of the ball the Wolverines will return an experienced front in what Clack expects to be a strong part of his team.

“I think the strength of our team will be our defensive front seven, led by seniors defensive end Eli Huggins, linebacker Jackson Brantley, linebacker Aaron Wagoner, linebacker Grant Torgerson and safety Joey Congrove.”

West Forsyth will open its season Aug. 19 at Woodstock High School, “We are ready to compete and look forward to what is assured to be a fantastic football season,” Clack said.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 2016 2016 | 5

JOHNS CREEK PREVIEW:

Gladiators’ expectations raised entering 2016 season

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — After Johns Creek won just a single game in 2013 and 2014, last year’s 4-6 record could have felt like a winning season for some. Not the case for Matt Kemper.

Kemper took over the program in 2015 and said that while the 4-6 record was certainly an improvement from prior years, he is still not pleased with the result.

“I don’t think anyone is ever pleased with the result unless they win the state championship,” said Kemper. “We made progress, but to be pleased with a 4-6 record is not what any coach is after. Hopefully this is a process and we are making strides along that continuum toward building a program that is competitive every year and reaches the playoffs on a regular basis. We are not there yet, but hopefully are making strides toward that end.”

But after the 4-6 season, Kemper has seen the change that winning games has brought to his program.

“Last spring there were less than 10 football players in weight training class during the day, and this spring there were nearly 100,” he said.

Kemper has also seen the rise in upperclassmen, who are no longer leaving the program, and will bring experience and an impact this season.

High school football teams undoubtedly will go as their senior class goes.

We have more seniors this year, 34. as opposed to 17 in 2015, and our challenge as coaches will be to make the most out of each of their abilities and develop a positive chemistry where they can all contribute in whatever way possible to the success of the team. At the same time, we must blend the talents of the underclassmen with those seniors successfully to create a team.”

“Each year’s team is different in terms of what motivates them and this year’s seniors seem to have confidence and a genuine caring about the good of the team.”

Of those seniors, running backs Matthew Taylor and Gerard Hearst, offensive linemen Jack Coco, Zach Kalin and Matthew Goldstein, and receiver Reed Maness all return for the Gladiators on offense.

With Jeremy Disher lost to graduation, sophomore Zach Gibson will take over as quarterback.

Kemper said his defense will again

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Sophomore Zach Gibson will take over as quarterback for the Gladiators in 2016. be the strength of the team.

“We have experience on the back end and must get production from several new faces in our front,” said Kemper.

Returning for the defense are multiple starters from last season, including linebackers Myles Myers, Quin Geer and Cole Neuber. Safety Jack Sommers also returns along with corners Daquez Crawford and Cash Callaway.

Max Whittling and K.J. Simpson return for the Gladiators’ defensive line.

After two abysmal seasons, 2015’s 4-6 record “certainly” raised expectations for this year according to Kemper.

“We know what it feels like to win games, and it is a good feeling. The challenge is to keep in mind what must be done in the off-season and in preparation each week and on Friday night to obtain those wins.”

Johns Creek will face much of the same teams as before this season in Region 7-AAAAAA, including crosstown rivals Chattahoochee and Northview, as well as Alpharetta and Centennial. Of those teams, the Gladiators’ only loss came to Centennial last year.

In order to compete for the region title, a prospect that seemed far-fetched just two years ago, Kemper said his team must stay healthy and have some luck.

In their non-region schedule, Johns Creek will play two Class 7A teams, Lassiter and North Forsyth. Out of the 48 largest schools to be selected to join Class 7A, Johns Creek was 49th, barely missing out of reclassification, which Kemper joked he was happy about.

In its first region game, Johns Creek will face Pope, where Kemper was the head coach from 2008-14 before taking over at Johns Creek.

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6 | August 2016 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Northview preview:

Titans look to rebuild following consecutive playoff seasons

By MILES GARRETT and JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — After going 12 years without a winning season, the Northview Titans have put together two consecutive winning seasons and two state playoff appearances, raising the expectations of a team that had seven seasons of three wins or fewer between 2002-2012.

Northview is coming off its second straight playoff berth and its first backto-back playoff appearances in school history. But the goal at the outset of the season is not to simply make the playoffs, but win playoff games, a feat the Titans have yet to accomplish.

The Titans will look to improve on their playoff chances with many new starters. Northview will have to replace last season’s large senior class that included nine on the defense alone.

Davenport said this is the youngest team he has coached since he arrived at Northview in 2008 and the upcoming season could be a work in progress as the younger players take time to develop.

The Titans are not unfamiliar with replacing numerous starters, however.

Northview has replaced 10 starters on defense each of the last two seasons and will be doing it again this year.

“We’re young and we don’t have a big senior class,” Davenport said, “but that doesn’t mean we don’t have talent. We have a lot of unique challenges, but what I try to tell the kids is we don’t make excuses. No one is going to feel bad for us on Friday nights at 7:30, they’re just going to play us.”

The defense will be entering year two under defensive coordinator Ryan Buchanan and will be focusing more on an odd-front approach. The two lone returning starters will be seniors, safety Chike Otaluka and linebacker Kevin Siatkowski, who will anchor a depleted side of the ball.

“We have a young team but there are no excuses to be made,” Otaluka said. “All the young guys are contributing well. Last year toward the end of the season we really started to click. I think if we can start clicking from the outset of this season we will be good.”

Coach Davenport added, “We have

good players and I think we’re going to be faster on defense. We’re not going to be as big, but we’ll be faster.”

Offensively, the Titans return depth at the quarterback and running back positions with senior Colton McDaniel back behind center. Behind him will be top 10 rusher in Georgia last season, junior Emeka Nwanze, who is receiving offers from Boston College and North Carolina, among others.

Backing up Nwanze is fellow junior back A.J. Green who acts as a counter for an offense that relied heavily on the run last season. Davenport added that the offense will work to become more balanced rather than rely too much on Nwanze and Green in the backfield. In 2015, Nwanze rushed for 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns. Green compiled 562 yards with four touchdowns.

In order for Nwanze and Green to continue putting up impressive rushing numbers this season, the offensive line will need to mature quickly.

Northview’s offensive line will be a question mark in the opening stages of the season as the unit will be without

three of last year’s starters. Davenport said that a point of emphasis leading up to the season will be continued improvement with the group that is having to learn quickly.

“The offensive line is coming along but it’s a work in progress,” he said.

“We lost three guys to scholarship last year so it’s definitely going to be a rebuilding project there.”

Northview could also be in the running for its first region title. Last season, the Titans went 5-4 in region play with three of those losses coming to Forsyth County teams, which are no longer in Northview’s region. Against opponents still in Northview’s region, the Titans were 3-1 last season.

Jackson Davenport, the Titans’ senior tight end, said he is confident his team can make another playoff run this season, but just making the playoffs is not the only goal.

“We want to make it to the playoffs again, but we want to win a game,” he said.

Northview was knocked out of the first round of the playoffs the last two seasons. They lost 37-0 to Milton in 2014 and 46-13 against Mill Creek last season.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 2016 2016 | 7

Blessed Trinity preview:

Much still unanswered for Titans entering 2016

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — The Blessed Trinity Titans enter 2016 with many questions after multiple starters from last year’s state championship runner-up team have departed due to graduation.

Blessed Trinity will look to replace eight starters on offense and defense, many of whom were three-year starters.

Offensively, the Titans lost standouts in quarterback Conor Davis, running backs Milton Shelton and Garret Dupuis, and offensive lineman Matthew Castner. Defensively, linebackers Jake Bogosian and Logan Craighead, corner Coline Dore and defensive tackle Emeke Okobah were lost to graduation among others.

Entering 2016, head coach Tim McFarlin said all of these open starting positions are still up for competition.

“They are still up for competition, and I believe that will last through the season,” said McFarlin. “You don’t replace three-year starters immediately, but we are going through the process now. We just need to get a few games under our belt. I don’t think we will answer all those questions immediately.

I think it will just take some time.

“We look at the season in three levels. There’s the non-region schedule, the region schedule and there’s

The Titans will look to replace standout quarterback Conor Davis who graduated in the Spring of 2016.

Blessed Trinity went 13-1-1 in 2015 ultimately losing in the state championship to Westminster. the postseason. Hopefully we will stay healthy, progress and get better, and by the time we get to the region schedule I think we will be a much better football team than we are early in the year.”

Sophomore Jake Smith could be in the running for the starting position to take over at quarterback. Smith played in two games during the Titans’ playoff run last year, filling in for the injured Davis.

Smith was 20-28 with 332 yards and two touchdowns in Davis’ absence.

Another question for the Titans’ offense is who will replace Shelton at running back. Shelton ran for over 2,000 yards last season with 28 touchdowns.

The Titans will return most of the receiving core from last year. Sophomore Ryan Davis, who led the team in receptions and yards last season, returns along with senior Colin Davis and sophomore J.D. Bertrand.

The Titans’ defense was vital to their success last year, holding opponents to an average of just 11 points per game and allowing more than two touchdowns in a game just once — the Titans game against Westminster in the state championship game.

With eight starters to replace, the defense will have many new faces.

The Titans return safety Jake Rudolf, who compiled 64 total tackles, four sacks and two fumble recoveries last season.

Also returning for the BT defense will be defensive end J.D. Bertrand, safety Steele Chambers and corner Sam Paul.

Regarding his defense, McFarlin said, “I’m confident that we will get better. I like where we are but it’s not where we need to be. But given the fact that we are replacing eight starters on defense, that’s not easy to do. We have a lot of good kids that are working hard. In just about every spot we have someone who is either young or new.

They may be a junior or senior but they didn’t play last year or start last year.

That’s true on both sides of the football.”

Coach McFarlin said it is important for his team to not dwell on what was accomplished last season: a 13-1-1 record, region championship and a trip to the state championship game. He wants his team to focus on improving their game.

“Every year is a different year and

photos Joe Parker/Herald

every year is a different team. We have goals and aspirations but I’ve told the team we can’t hang our hats on what we did last year. That’s over.”

The Titans enter their first season in Class 4A this season, up from 3A. McFarlin said he is eager for his team to compete in the new classification.

“I’m excited about it,” he said. “I think it will be a challenge, but I believe our football program is ready for that challenge. We will be facing probably our hardest schedule in school history in the region and the non-region schedule.”

Two of the non-region games will be played out of state. The Titans will play a game against McCallie in Tennessee, and make a trip to Dublin for another.

The Titans will play St. Peter’s Prep of New Jersey in a game in Dublin, Ireland on Sept. 3.

“We are excited for the trip but we understand that the process is going to be quite different and tiring for us.

They are a powerhouse in New Jersey.

It’s going to be a tall order for us.”

BT will play just four region games, its final four games of the season. The Titans will play White County, Chestatee, Marist and West Hall.

8 | August 2016 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Forsyth Central preview:

Hepler returns to take over Bulldogs’ program

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — The past 14 years of Forsyth Central football hasn’t been pretty.

The Bulldogs have had just a single winning season, compiled a 39101 record and have failed to win a region title. They have failed Hepler to make the state playoffs, and they have had four head coaches, all with a lack of success.

As Central transitions to Class 7A, where its competition will be of a much higher caliber, the Bulldogs also make a head coaching transition to a man who knows Forsyth County, and its football, well.

Frank Hepler, the Bulldogs’ new head coach, launched the West Forsyth football program in 2007, compiling a 51-18 record.

Hepler, and the Bulldog faithful, hope he can turn around the Central

program from a decade and a half of misery and bring the same success to the Central program as he did to West’s program in its infancy.

Hepler left West in 2014 to return to Florida, where he had coached before, then made the transition back to Forsyth.

On returning to Forsyth County, Hepler said, “It’s great to be back, this is my home. My heart has always been with Forsyth County.”

Hepler said the Bulldogs will be multi-faceted on both sides of the ball with multiple looks. He also said he wants the team to play at a high tempo.

Central’s offense will be led by junior quarterback Brad Thiltgen who backed-up starter Jagger Hartshorn last season.

“He is going to be real good,” Hepler said of Thiltgen.

Sabrian Howard will return for his senior campaign as tailback. Howard rushed for 645 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

He will be joined by a trio of tail-

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backs who will also add to the Central rush attack.

Blake Wood, Dalton Edmunds and Dylan Buchs will all share carries, Hepler said.

Junior Austin Payne, along with Justin Thorne and Matthew Olson, will join Billy Francis on the offensive line.

The Bulldogs lost top tackler Robbie Repasz to graduation along with corner Aubrey Blackman, but they return a large core of last season’s starters, including corner Jacob Woodard and linebackers Sebastian Legarra and Jacob

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“We’ve had many players step up on defense,” Hepler said. “I know this group loves to fly around and play hard.”

Though the competition will be fierce in Class 7A, Hepler said he is excited for the Bulldogs’ chance to compete in the highest GHSA classification. “[I] couldn’t be more excited to play against some great teams from our area,” he said. “A new region, a new school, we are all just excited to be among these other great teams, and we are looking forward to trying to compete with them.”

Hepler understands that his team will have to turn things around if the Bulldogs hope to compete in the region.

“We must be consistent, smart, fast, multiple and play as a team to have success in this region,” he said.

Central will open the season playing two opponents from lower classes, Dawson County from 3A and River Ridge from 6A, before playing three non-region 7A opponents.

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NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 2016 2016 | 9

CHATTAHOOCHEE PREVIEW:

After 1-9 season, outlook still positive for Hooch

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By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Entering its 26th season of football, Chattahoochee has been on a consistent up and down swing.

After winning just 25 games in their opening six seasons beginning in 1991, the Cougars went 30-6 between 19982000 and made the state playoffs the following two years under then head coach Bill Waters. Then it was two sub.500 years followed by two winning seasons before two more losing seasons.

Then in 2010, Hooch surprised everyone by going 15-0, capturing itsr sole state championship.

But since 2010, Hooch’s winning column has slowly but surely fallen.

The team last had a winning season in 2012 and has won just eight games in the last three years, including last year’s 1-9 record.

But if history is any indication, the Cougars are due for a solid year, and third-year head coach Vince Strine and his players are confident heading into this season. Strine said his players have made great strides in the offseason. In addition, Hooch has hired former head coach Bill Waters as the defensive coordinator. Waters coached the Cougars from 1993-2003.

“Obviously from last season we had a lot of areas to improve on,” Strine said, “but we are going to continue to improve.”

“One of the exciting things about this season is we brought back Bill Waters as defensive coordinator. Bill understands North Fulton football, and that experience has been great for our kids. He is an outstanding teacher.

Our defense has been rebranded and it looks very promising.”

Strine said one of the keys to improving the defense has been developing a system to stop the run.

“Our run defense has been a complete focus,” he said. “We’ve watched them become a great run defense unit throughout the summer. Skill-wise, we have a lot of skill.”

According to Strine, another aspect of the Cougars’ game that needed improvement was the offensive line.

After summer workouts, he said the offensive line “is looking great.”

Senior Will Casement returns to Hooch’s offensive line, and he said he believes the line has taken positive steps.

“We are a young line, but so far we have looked well and have melded together to form a great offensive line.

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2016 will mark the third season at starting QB for senior Chase Owens.

I think we have a chance to go big this year,” Casement said.

Casement is one of the few returning linemen for Hooch, but he said the younger players are showing promise.

The offensive line will once again protect senior quarterback Chase Owens, a three-year starter for the Cougars. Owens has compiled 3,834 yards passing, 761 yards rushing and 41 total touchdowns. “(Owens) has been an integral part of our offense over the years as a dual-threat player,” Strine said.

“When you have your quarterback who touches the ball every snap to be your leader, it’s a big deal.”

Last season, Owens compiled 2,414 yards with 20 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 542 yards.

Junior Joseph Daniels will likely join Owens in the backfield after rushing for 268 yards on 69 carries last season.

As it was the focus of the team at the outset of last season, this year the defense will be the question mark for Chattahoochee, but under experienced defensive coordinator Waters, Hooch looks to turn things around after allowing nearly 40 points per game last season.

With the “rebranding,” Hooch will also see a host of rising players on the defensive side.

And according to lineman Casemant, the players have not dwelled on last season. He said he thinks the Cougars could break the slump this year.

“The overall intensity and commitment of the team has improved immensely throughout the summer,” Casement said. “I think this upcoming season is going to be pretty special for us.”

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10 | August 2016 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

2016 team schedules * on schedules denotes region game

LOCAL TEAMS BY REGION Reg. 4-AAAAAAA: Roswell Reg. 7-AAAAAA: Alpharetta, Cambridge, Centennial, Chattahoochee, Johns Creek and Northview Reg. 5-AAAAAAA: Forsyth Central, Lambert, Milton, North Forsyth, South Forsyth and West Forsyth Reg. 7-AAAA: Blessed Trinity Reg. 6-A Subregion B: Fellowship Christian, King’s Ridge, Mt. Pisgah, Pinecrest and St. Francis

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

ROSWELL 2016 (Reg. 4-AAAAAAA)

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga.- The Georgia High School Association finalized the region alignments after forming Class 7A, which will feature the largest schools in the state, for the 2016 sports season beginning this fall. Seven local teams from North Fulton and Forsyth County have been placed in Class 7A. The region alignments will run from 2016-18.

The introduction of the 48-school Class 7A region reduced the number of schools in all classes except for Class A, and is comprised of the largest schools in the state based on student population.

Roswell, Forsyth Central, Lambert, Milton, North Forsyth, South Forsyth and West Forsyth will all compete in Class 7A beginning at the start of the 2016-17 school year.

In perhaps the most intriguing region alignment, all five schools from Forsyth County will now compete in Region 5 of Class 7A. Milton will also play in the six-team region.

Five of the six teams were moved up from Class 6A, while Forsyth Central will have to make the two-class jump to 7A from 5A. Roswell also moved into Class 7A and was placed in Region 4. Region 4 includes six of the nine teams that comprised Region 5 of Class 6A, Roswell’s region in 2015-16, including Cherokee, Etowah, Lassiter, Walton and Woodstock.

Johns Creek’s student population was just 26 students short of putting the Gladiators in Class 7A, making them the largest school in Class 6A.

(Reg. 7-AAAAAA)

CAMBRIDGE 2016 (Reg 7-AAAAAA)

8/19 @Buford

8/19 Milton

8/26 Creekview

9/02 Central Gwinnett

8/26 @Gainesville

9/2 @Milton

9/09 Colquitt County

9/9 Centennial*

9/9 Chattahoochee*

9/23 @Archer

9/16 @Northview*

9/16 @Pope*

9/30 @Milton

9/30 @North Atlanta*

9/23 @Centennial*

10/7 Lassiter*

10/7 Pope*

9/30 Johns Creek*

10/14 @Walton*

10/14 @Johns Creek*

10/7 @Dunwoody*

10/21 @Etowah*

10/21 Cambridge*

10/14 Northview*

10/28 Woodstock*

10/28 @Dunwoody*

10/21 @Alpharetta*

11/04 Cherokee

11/4 Chattahoochee

11/4 North Atlanta*

FORSYTH CENTRAL 2016

LAMBERT 2016

8/26 @Dawson Co.

8/26 Mountain View

9/02 River Ridge

9/2 Collins Hill

9/09 Meadowcreek

9/9 Cherokee

9/16 @Duluth

9/16 @Lanier

9/23 Kennesaw Mountain

9/23 Wheeler

10/07 @North Forsyth*

10/7 South Forsyth*

10/14 West Forsyth*

10/14 @North Forsyth*

10/21 @Milton*

10/21 @West Forsyth*

10/28 South Forsyth*

10/28 @Milton*

11/04 @Lambert*

11/4 Forsyth Central*

2016 region alignments

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com

ALPHARETTA 2016

Johns Creek was placed in Region 7.

Region 7 will be comprised of many of the same teams from 2015’s Region 6 of Class 6A. Alpharetta, Chattahoochee, Centennial, Johns Creek and Northview will once again be region opponents.

Cambridge was also placed in Region 7, making the move up from 5A to 6A. Dunwoody, North Atlanta and Pope are also in the nine-team region.

Blessed Trinity, which has captured multiple state titles in multiple sports in recent years, will be moving up from Class 3A to Class 4A. BT was moved up a class not due to their student population size, but rather because more than 3 percent of their students are from out-of-county, the other stipulation for teams moving between classes.

The Titans were placed in the six-team Region 7.

By being placed in Region 7, BT will have lots of traveling to do for away games. Only Marist, located in Atlanta, is within 20 miles of the school. Chestatee, Riverside Military Academy, West Hall and White County are all located over 40 miles away from the BT campus.

For the Class A private schools in North Fulton and Forsyth counties, there are no major changes for the new region alignments.

Fellowship Christian, King’s Ridge, Mount Pisgah, Pinecrest Academy and St. Francis will all compete in Region 6 Subregion B of Class A once again.

Whitefield Academy also remains in the subregion and Mount Paran Christian and Walker were moved from Subregion A to Subregion B. Including Subregion A, Region 6 will be comprised of 18 schools, 15 of which play football.

(Reg. 5-AAAAAAA)

BLESSED TRINITY 2016 (Reg. 7-AAAA)

(Reg. 5-AAAAAAA)

FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN 2016 (Reg. 6-A Subregion B)

8/19 @St. Pius X

8/19 Atkinson Co.

8/26 Marietta

8/26 @Mt. Paran Christian

9/3 St. Peter’s Prep (NJ)

9/9 Our Lady of Mercy

9/9 @Creekview

9/16 St. Francis*

9/16 Hart Co.

9/30 @Walker*

9/23 @McCallie (TN)

10/7 Whitefield Academy*

10/7 @White Co.*

10/14 Pinecrest Academy*

10/14 Chestatee*

10/21 @Mt. Pisgah Christian*

10/21 @Marist*

10/28 @King’s Ridge Christian*

11/4 West Hall*

11/4 TBD (Reg. 6-A Play-In)

CENTENNIAL 2016 (Reg. 7-AAAAAA)

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

CHATTAHOOCHEE 2016 (REG. 7-AAAAAA)

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 2016 2016 | 11

JOHNS CREEK 2016 (Reg. 7-AAAAAA)

NORTHVIEW 2016 (Reg. 7-AAAAAA)

8/26 @Wheeler

8/19 @Pickens

8/19 @Lassiter

8/19 @Lanier

9/2 South Forsyth

8/26 Rockdale Co.

8/26 North Forsyth

9/2 Winder-Barrow

9/9 @Alpharetta*

9/9 @Cambridge*

9/9 Pope*

9/16 Alpharetta*

9/16 Johns Creek*

9/16 North Atlanta*

9/16 @Centennial*

9/23 @Johns Creek*

9/23 Cambridge*

9/23 @Dunwoody*

9/23 Northview*

9/30 Dunwoody*

9/30 @Chattahoochee*

9/30 Centennial*

9/30 @Cambridge*

10/7 @Centennial*

10/7 Northview*

10/7 Johns Creek*

10/7 @Chattahoochee*

10/14 @Cambridge*

10/14 @North Atlanta*

10/21 @Pope*

10/14 Alpharetta*

10/21 North Atlanta*

10/22 @Dunwoody*

10/28 Northview*

10/28 @North Atlanta*

10/28 @Chattahoochee*

10/28 Pope*

11/4 Alpharetta*

11/4 Dunwoody

11/4 Pope*

NORTH FORSYTH 2016

SOUTH FORSYTH 2016

WEST FORSYTH 2016

8/19 @Alpharetta

8/19 Sequoyah

8/19 Hillgrove

8/19 @Woodstock

8/26 @North Gwinnett

8/26 @Johns Creek

8/26 Pinecrest Academy

8/26 Pace Academy

9/2 Cambridge

9/2 @Loganville

9/2 @Centennial

9/9 Hillgrove

9/16 @Etowah

9/16 Pickens

9/9 South Gwinnett

9/16 @Dacula

9/30 Roswell

9/23 @Woodstock

9/23 @Lassiter

9/23 Newnan

10/7 West Forsyth*

10/7 Forsyth Central*

10/7 @Lambert*

10/7 @Milton*

10/14 @South Forsyth*

10/14 Lambert*

10/14 Milton*

10/14 @Forsyth Central*

10/21 Forsyth Central*

10/21 @South Forsyth*

10/21 North Forsyth*

10/21 Lambert*

10/28 Lambert*

10/28 @West Forsyth*

10/28 @Forsyth Central*

10/28 North Forsyth*

11/4 @North Forsyth*

11/4 Milton*

11/4 West Forsyth*

11/4 @South Forsyth*

MILTON 2016 (Reg. 5-AAAAAAA)

KING’S RIDGE 2016

(Reg 5-AAAAAAA)

MT. PISGAH 2016

(Reg. 5-AAAAAAA)

PINECREST 2016

(Reg. 5-AAAAAAA)

ST. FRANCIS 2016

(Reg. 6-A Subregion B)

(Reg. 6-A Subregion B)

(Reg. 6-A Subregion B)

(Reg. 6-A Subregion B)

8/19 @Glascock Co.

8/19 @Holy Innocents’

8/26 @South Forsyth

8/26 Holy Innocents’

9/2 Strong Rock Christian

8/26 Rabun Co.

9/2 Discovery

9/2 North Cobb Christian

9/9 Whitefield Academy*

9/2 @Whitefield Academy*

9/16 @Walker*

9/16 @Fellowship Christian*

9/16 @Mt. Paran Christian*

9/9 @Walker*

9/23 @Mt. Pisgah Christian*

9/23 Walker*

9/30 Mt. Pisgah Christian*

9/23 Pinecrest Academy*

9/30 Mt. Paran Christian*

9/30 @Whitefield Academy*

10/07 @Pinecrest Academy*

9/30 @King’s Ridge Christian*

10/7 King’s Ridge Christian*

10/7 @Mt. Pisgah Christian*

10/14 @St. Francis*

10/7 St. Francis*

10/14 @Fellowship Christian*

10/14 King’s Ridge Christian*

10/21 Walker*

10/21 Fellowship Christian*

10/21 Whitefield Academy*

10/21 @Mt. Paran Christian*

10/28 Fellowship Christian*

10/28 Mt. Paran Christian*

10/28 @St. Francis*

10/28 Pincerest Academy*

11/4 TBD (Reg. 6-A Play-In)

11/4 TBD (Reg. 6-A Play-In)

11/4 TBD (Reg. 6-A Play-In)

11/4 TBD (Reg. 6-A Play-In)

12 | August 2016 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

CENTENNIAL PREVIEW:

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 2016 2016 | 13

RECOVER

Knights enter 2016 season experienced

LIKE THE PROS!

By MILES GARRETT and JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com

Used by College and Pro Athletes to:

ROSWELL, Ga. — After compiling a 5-5 season in 2015, second-year head coach Lenny Gregory will enter 2016 with a more experienced team looking to get Centennial back in the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

As year two begins, Gregory will lead his team to a new but familiar region after a summer filled with successful 7-on-7 tournaments, including the USA Football National Championships in Alabama, that brought the team closer together.

“We’ve been doing a lot of 7-on-7s,” senior quarterback Casen Conway said.

“We built bonds and we learned how to compete together, so this summer has been awesome for us becoming closer as a team.”

Conway returns to run the Centennial offense after finishing fourth in the state for passing yards last season.

Conway compiled 2,669 yards with 18 touchdowns.

Joining Conway on offense will be sophomores Cal Dickie and Malcolm Gallagher who each join to replace the productive Caden Herring at receiver.

In addition to Dickie and Gallagher, junior wide out Austin Williams gives Conway another target.

Gregory praised the work the sophomores put in during the offseason and mentioned his anticipation for their role on offense.

“They’re going to be two dynamic offensive weapons that are going to be new,” he said. “We’re really excited about those two kids.”

The Knights come into the 2016 season after losing many close games last year. This year, the team is hoping to erase some of the bad memories through the offseason work.

Conway described this year’s team as having a different mindset than last year’s — playing a huge role in the progression of the squad as whole.

“The great thing about this year is we’ve come in hitting the ground running,” Conway said. “Once we hit January, we already knew what we were going to be doing and we got in the rhythm early. One word that we adopted was consistency. We weren’t as strong as we were this time last year. If we have our guys coming in every day and working hard, that’s really going to push us forward this season.”

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Sophmore Malcolm Gallagher will look to have a big impact on the offensive side of the ball during the upcoming season.

Defensively, Centennial returns nearly all of its starters led by senior linebacker and all-region player Jacob Gregory. Gregory was second on the Knights’ defense in total tackles last season behind graduated Max Martin.

“Defensively, we’re really returning everybody,” Gregory said. “We were young last year and we’ll be young again, but we’ve got some great players and we’re excited for this year.”

When asked the team goals, Coach Gregory emphasized taking each practice one day at time and focusing on improving as group.

“Our motto is to go 1-0,” he said.

“We’re going to go out there and focus on one game at a time. The kids are working hard and they deserve everything they get this year.”

Centennial opens its season with a scrimmage against Creekview High School Aug. 19 followed by its first regular season game at Wheeler High School Aug. 26.

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14 | August 2016 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

North Fulton/Forsyth private schools preview:

New coaches, new region opponents for local Class A schools

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. — Private schools in Forsyth County and North Fulton, which includes Pinecrest Academy, St. Francis, Mt. Pisgah, Fellowship Christian and King’s Ridge, remain in their same classification and region this season. All five teams will continue to compete in Region 6-A sub-region B. The only major change was the addition of Walker and Mt. Paran Christian, the 2014 Class A state champions, to the sub-region.

With the addition of Walker and Mt. Paran, teams in Region 6-A Div. B will now play eight region games throughout the regular season compared to six last season. The final region game of the season will be a play-in game for the four available playoff spots from the region, and each sub-region champion will face one another for the region title.

The state playoffs for Class 1A will now feature 24 teams, up from 16, which will be decided by the power ratings system.

Mount Pisgah: After four straight playoff appearances and winning seasons, the Mt. Pisgah Patriots look strong heading into 2016 where many starters return on both sides of the ball. Head Coach Mike Forrester enters his fourth season at the helm and has compiled a 26-10 record with the Patriots.

The Patriots offense, which averaged 137 yards passing and 102 yards rushing per game last season, returns a core of offensive starters.

Jacob Cendoya and Connor Norwood shared quarterback duties last season, both throwing for over 700 yards. Cendoya, a junior this year, threw for 902 yards and 11 touchdowns with six interceptions last year.

Sophomore Norwood threw for 732 yards Cendoya also led the Patriots in rushing with 547 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior Max Miller should step up for more of a role in the running game after J.R. Cendoya and Spencer Shields were lost to graduation.

The offensive line will see new faces as Garrett Brasher, Nick Bernier and Nikhil Sharma graduated. Connor Evers, Wes Booth and Parker Bishop return.

The receiving core will also feature new starters, as leading receivers Justin Gilvin and Connor Richey graduated.

Defensively, linebackers Miller and Jonathan Gigila, safety Alden Pascucci,

corner David Woodward and defensive linemen Jack Geier and Chad Peden all return for the Patriots defense. The Patriots were outscored last season 261-310, but with another year of experience, Pisgah looks to improve those numbers this season.

Mt. Pisgah compiled a 4-1 region record last year, its only loss a 28-25 heartbreaker to eventual region champions Pinecrest Academy.

Pisgah will open its season against Holy Innocents and Rabun County before beginning its region schedule. The Patriots won the last meeting with Holy Innocents in 2013 and are 1-1 against Rabun County the past two seasons.

In region play, Pisgah will be seeking its first region championship since 2013.

Pinecrest Academy: Since head coach Todd Winter took over the Pinecrest program in 2012, the Paladins have gradually improved their record. After 2015, Pinecrest will return as the defending Region 6-A champions and look to make their third straight playoff appearance.

The Paladins will do so returning much of the core of last year’s team.

Both the offense and defense will return eight starters.

Four-year starter Ryan McCarthy returns to lead the Paladins’ triple-option offense, and he will have much of the core of last year’s starting offensive line in front of him.

McCarthy rushed for over 1,200 yards last season with 22 touchdowns.

He passed for 495 yards and three touchdowns.

The balance of running the triple-option is always in execution, though, Winter said, but he believes his team could improve on their offensive production from last season which averaged 29 points per game.

“We run the triple-option, so it’s not so much about the other team, it’s about us,” Winter said. “It’s about executing, getting the right play and making the right read. We have a four-year starter at quarterback, and we have quite a few offensive lineman returning, so I think we have the opportunity to be better on offense. Whether we will be better is yet to be decided.”

On defense, Winter said it’s the same story.

“Defensively we are much bigger up front on the defensive line. Our linebackers look good, our safety looks good, and we are returning our entire defensive line and our strong safety. We have the opportunity to be better.”

Winter added, “This is the strongest

team we’ve ever had from a physical standpoint.”

Physical strength will play a vital role as Pinecrest faces two teams from the newly formed Class 7A, including Discovery and Forsyth neighbors South Forsyth.

“We are playing the toughest 1A schedule in the state. I don’t know of any other 1A school that is playing a 7A team, not to mention two,” he said.

“We have played some darn good football teams, but they are going to be a very tough opponent,” he said of South Forsyth. “We are excited about it, and it can measure where we are as a program. We play half a mile from one another and it’s going to be at a great venue with a great atmosphere.”

Winter said the games against South and Discovery will also greatly help Pinecrest in obtaining a playoff spot, given that they will be awarded power ratings points by playing the teams in a much higher classification.

In addition to their non-region schedule, Winter said he believes Region 6-A is perhaps the toughest 1A region in the state.

Winter said if his team hopes to improve on the 2015 season, players must remain focused.

“We just have to stay focused. They have confidence and they have goals they’d like to reach, but I think they understand you can only focus on the day ahead or the next opponent.”

King’s Ridge: After two seasons of going 1-9, a shakeup was in order at King’s Ridge.

Enter Jimmy Chupp, the Tigers’ new head coach. Chupp takes over at King’s Ridge after two successful stints at Greater Atlanta Christian where he went 89-24, made nine state playoff appearances and led his team to eight wins or more every year as a head coach.

“We had a lot of great kids, great coaches and a great community [at GAC] and I’ve seen a lot of the same here,” said Chupp. “We are excited about the opportunities that we have.

We have to manage our expectations a little bit and hope that we can get everyone on the bus and turn that bus a bit.”

Turning the bus around will start on both sides of the ball as the Tigers’ defense allowed an average of 40 points per game last season while their offense averaged just 12.

Chupp said he will run a balanced offense, led by senior Gresham Shepard who gets the starting nod at quarterback. Shepard replaces Reid Martin

who transferred to Cambridge The Tigers return senior receivers Jack McHugh and Ellis Merriweather as well as Lawson Hill at running back.

Defensively, the Tigers’ will be without three starting linebackers and two defensive tackles from last season, but according to Chupp, the roles have been filled by what he has seen in the offseason.

“The kids that I have here are some great kids and we have kids that are very capable on the field. We have found spots for everyone and have built our depth chart on that,” he said.

Though the Tigers’ have failed to post a winning season in program history, Chupp said he is excited for this season and the opportunity to change the Tigers’ fortunes.

“There were a lot of great things about Tiger football when I got here.

We have had a bit of a slump for a couple of years but we have continued to talk positive, think positive thoughts about our season, and our kids have responded with great work in the summer. Again, we are going to manage our expectations but we believe we will be able to compete on Friday nights.”

St. Francis: In addition to King’s Ridge, St. Francis will also see a new head coach.

Tim Mathis becomes the Knights’ second head coach since the team began a full varsity schedule in 2012. Mathis comes to St. Francis after leaving a head coaching job at a Florida high school. A Georgia native, Mathis also spent time as the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Shorter University.

Mathis came to St. Francis after getting to know the program through camps held at the school during his time at Shorter.

Mathis said his transition to the school has been “great,” and he is getting to know his players and their strengths more each day.

After graduating 12 seniors last season, many starting positions are open heading into Mathis’ first season, and he said many are in competition for those spots.

“We have everyone tagged, we just don’t know who will be our starters,” Mathis said. “I told everyone when I came in that no one should be complacent, no one has a starting position yet, and we are going to fight for our positions. They have responded very well to that. There isn’t a better coach than competition.”

The quarterback position is up for grabs between senior Matt Davis, last

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 2016 2016 | 15

S T H I

!

N O S S E A

Chuck Pitts/chucksmugshots.com

Wide reciever Jack McHugh of King’s Ridge is pursued by Will Patota (23) of Pinecrest during a game last season. year’s starter, and junior Nick Kreitner.

Mathis said the competition has been outstanding. The Knights return much of those responsible for their rushing last season, including Jordan Ferguson and Avery Showell who combined for over 1,000 yards last year.

Though the run-heavy St. Francis offense will rely on establishing the ground game, Mathis said his team will also look to move down the field through the air.

“Offensively we are a triple-option team. We are going to establish the run first, but saying that, we are different than Navy or Georgia Tech because we are going to throw the ball a little bit more than they do,” he said.

While many spots are still up for competition, Mathis said the ultimate goal of the defense is to swarm the ball.

“Defensively we preach a culture of running to the football,” he said. “When we stop the play we want 11 guys around the football.”

Though St. Francis had two playoff appearances in 2013-14, last year’s 3-7 record left the Knights with a bitter taste in their mouths.

Mathis said, “We want to start strong and finish strong, and that’s our team motto. Watching some of the films [from last season], if they would have started strong or finished strong we could have won those games. The season could have been a whole lot different than it was.”

Fellowship Christian: Under head coach Al Morrell, Fellowship Christian has spent the past three seasons around the .500 mark, with two 5-5 seasons and a 4-6 season.

Last season, the Paladins were poised to have their first winning record and

first playoff berth since 2007, but a 3124 loss to Mt. Zion in the Paladins’ final regular season game put them at 5-5.

The loss also kept FCS out of the playoffs as they finished 18th in the power ratings, two spots behind the cutoff.

Entering 2016, the Paladins return much of their offense, but they will have a string of new faces on the defense.

Offensively, the Paladins return senior starting quarterback Jack Hardin who threw for 1,004 yards last season with four touchdown passes. Hardin added five rushing touchdowns.

The Paladins’ top rusher, Andrew Johnson also returns to the FCS backfield. Johnson led the team in yards with 661, and touchdowns with 11.

Andrew Minkert also returns to share rushing duties with Johnson. Minkert ran for 445 yards and three touchdowns in 2015.

Offensive tackle Reed Kroeber was lost to graduation, but much of the offensive line returns with another year of experience under their belt.

Defensively, the Paladins will be without many of their top performers from last season that held opponents to 17 points per game.

Jackson Pryor, Matthew Sterling, Jake Williamson and linebackers Nick Thompson and Clay Buchweitz all graduated last season, leaving many gaps in the secondary.

Hardin could potentially play both sides of the ball again, returning at middle linebacker. He will be joined by defensive ends Ethan Minkert and Zachary Murray, both returning for their senior season.

With Class 1A now featuring 24 teams in the playoffs, FCS will hope to return to post-season play after an eight-year absence.

MICHELLE PITTMAN, is proud to support NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL and wishes all of the players a fantastic 2016 season!

MICHELLE PITTMAN c. 404.402.7124 o. 770.442.7300 michellepittman@atlantafinehomes.com 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 400 Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 AT L A N TA F I N E H O M E S . C O M | S I R . C O M © MMXVI Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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16 | August 2016 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

South Forsyth preview:

War Eagles look ahead after historic 2015 season

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — South Forsyth enters the 2016 season coming off of a memorable 2015, finishing 11-2 overall, winning its first region championship since 1997 and reaching the quarterfinals of the state playoffs for just the second time in the team’s 25-year history.

After losing the majority of defensive starters from last season and skill positions on offense, not to mention playing in a new classification and new region, it begs the question: Can South repeat the success of last year?

South head coach Jeff Arnette said it is far too early to predict, but he is pleased with his team’s performance in the off-season as a new crop of seniors looks to lead the team.

“As a coach, you are always concerned about how the next group is going to lead,” Arnette said, “and our seniors have had an unbelievable summer and I’m very pleased with the leadership we have gotten. I do feel like some of the kids that are stepping up are very talented, so I do think we have a chance to [repeat], but that will have to wait to be seen.”

Many of those stepping up will be on the defensive side of the ball after South graduated eight starters from last season, including Cameron Kline, Curtis Roach, Grant Umberger and Blake Oldfield.

Kline, a defensive-end who committed to Harvard, compiled 15 sacks, two forced-fumbles, four fumble-recoveries and 50 total tackles last season. Safety Curtis Roach was second on the team in tackles with 78 and had four interceptions last season.

Arnette said that these starting spots, as well as those of safety Jalen Camp and Ryan Colangelo, are all up for competition at the moment.

Middle linebacker Max Slott will return for the War Eagles’ defense along with fellow linebackers Ryan LaFlamme and Julian Mingo, as well as safety Sean O’Malley.

Slott led the team in total tackles, O’Malley gathered two interceptions and 40 total tackles, and LaFlamme and Mingo combined for eight sacks in 2015.

There are currently no major scheme changes with the new look of the defense, but according to Arnette, “We are going to try and play to the strengths of our personnel.”

On offense there will be fewer new faces, as South returns a core of its offensive line which will protect standout

Leah Speed

South Forsyth graduated eight seniors on the defensive side of the ball last season including Cameron Kline (93) and Blake Oldfield (48). quarterback Davis Shanley.

Shanley threw for 2,348 yards last season with 25 touchdowns. He also added 623 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns to bring his total yards to just under 3,000 for his junior season.

Entering his senior year, Arnette said Shanley has improved further in the off-season.

“He’s had an incredible summer,” Arnette said. “I think he has gotten a step faster and is throwing the ball better. We are excited as a staff to see what he is able to do this year. Anytime you bring back a guy who has those types of numbers and ability, it gives you a chance right off the bat to be pretty good offensively. Hopefully, he’ll bring that new cast along with him and we’ll be able to score some points.”

On special teams, sophomore Charlie Hale could potentially take over for Alex Barbir. Barbir was 60-62 on PATs last season and 7-9 on field goals.

South will face stiff non-region competition this year with games against Hillgrove in the Corky Kell Classic, Centennial and South Gwinnett. The War Eagles will also host Forsyth’s lone Class-A team, Pinecrest Academy, on Aug. 26.

South’s tough region schedule, the team’s first season in the talent-heavy Region 5-AAAAAAA, includes matches against the five Forsyth County public schools and Milton.

“It’s exciting that all the schools in the county are in the same region and getting to play each other,” Arnette said. “That makes for a great atmo-

sphere for high school football. We have rivals playing against one another, and the community comes out to support those games. It’s not that we aren’t real familiar with each other, but there are teams we haven’t played for several years.”

After winning the Region 6-AAAAAA title last year, Arnette said his players have made it a goal to secure another region championship.

While he makes no prediction as to whether his team can repeat or improve the success of last season, he says he is confident in many aspects of his team.

“I’m confident in the preparation of this off-season, I’m confident in the leadership of our players and I’m confident that they are going to work as hard as they possibly can,” he said.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

LOCAL EXPERT

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 2016 2016 | 17

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18 | August 2016 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

ROSWELL PREVIEW:

Year after state championship appearance, Hornets still stacked

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — In 2015, Roswell had one of its most memorable seasons in the school’s 66-year football history.

The Hornets compiled a 14-1 record, had an average margin of victory in the regular season of more than 40 points, earned a berth in the Class 6A state championship game, and had their winningest season in school history.

Though the Hornets lost multiple standouts to graduation at the end of last season, they enter the 2016 campaign, their first in the newly formed Class 7A, returning a large core of the talent of 2015’s memorable season.

On offense, Roswell will be without Quintarius Neely, last season’s dual-threat quarterback who passed for 2,676 yards and had 32 passing touchdowns. Roswell head coach John Ford says there is still a competition for the starting spot under center between Walt Warren, Malik Willis and Jalyln Williams.

Backing up Neely last season, junior Warren saw a fair amount of playing time given the Hornets’ knack for blowouts in the regular season.

Willis, a transfer from Westlake, will bring the same dual-threat as Neely if he gets the starting nod. Willis has committed to Virginia Tech. With Westlake last season, he passed for 714 yards with 14 touchdowns and ran the ball for 690 yards with 10 rushing touchdowns.

Running back Sheldon Evans, who rushed for more than 1,800 yards last season, returns for his senior campaign and predicts that the Hornets’ offense will once again be difficult to stop.

“I think if we stick with the same game plan no one can stop us,” Evans said. “(Evans) is the first four-year starter I have ever coached,” Roswell head coach John Ford said. “He is the hardest practicing player I have ever had and best pass protecting back I’ve ever coached. He does all those little things right that make him a joy to coach.”

The Hornets’ offensive line, an integral part of their success last season, will be without Cameron Whiteman, Jared Lyons and Will Staplfeldt. However, 6-foot-6 tackle Jordan Tucker, who has committed to Tennessee, will return along with Jack Nichols.

Whoever earns the starting role at QB will have new targets compared to last season as Kendrick Jackson, AJ Smith and Kyle Strickland graduated.

However, standout receiver Jayden Comma returns, and according to Ford,

Maura Roberts Photography

The starting quarterback spot is still up for grabs for Roswell as dual-threat QB Quintarius Neely (2) graduated after the 2015–16 season.

“Christian Ford and Kentrell Barber are looking good at the slots, and Corey Reed should fill in the other side. Tyneil Hopper will also have a role in the passing game.”

Arguably the best defense in the state last season, the Hornets’ defense allowed just 12.6 points per game last season and held nine of 15 opponents to 14 points or less, but the Hornets will be without some key players from last year’s defense.

Defensive end Tyrone Hopper, linebacker Tre Lamar and safety Marcelino Ball, three of the team’s top defensive performers, graduated.

Ford said, “You don’t replace guys like Tre Lamer, Tyrone Hopper or Marcelino Ball. It would be unfair for me to ask (the players filling their positions) to be those guys. We will fill the positions and we have guys who are battling it out every day, but we want those guys to be the best version of themselves and not compare themselves to Lamar, Hopper or Ball. But I love the kids we have.”

Though the loss on defense creates gaps to be filled, the Hornets still return a large collection of last year’s stout defense. Safety Leanthony Wil-

liams, linebackers Sam Diroberto and Lamon Titus, cornerback Justus Harris, defensive linemen Koby Cumberlander and Max Boyd and safety Xavier McKinney return this season, looking to dominate once again.

“I think we have one of the best defenses in the nation,” said McKinney.

“We compete with our offense every day at practice and I think we make each other better.”

McKinney was second on the team in total tackles last season with 111 and led the team in interceptions with nine.

The Hornets offense and defense will face a tough challenge in Roswell’s first season in Class 7A. Roswell kicks off the season with five non-region games, including a matchup against Buford, last year’s state runner-up in Class 4A, at the Corky Kell Classic on Aug 19 at McEachern. The Hornets will also face Archer, which made it to the quarterfinals of the 6A state playoffs last year, Central Gwinnett and rival Milton. The Hornets will also face Colquitt County on Sept. 9. Colquitt enters this season on a 30-game win streak and handed Roswell its only loss of the 2015 season

in the Class 6A state championship game.

Coach Ford said he thinks the tough non-region schedule will better prepare his players for their final five games, all in the newly formed Region 4-AAAAAAA. “If you have an area of inefficiency or an area where you don’t play well, those [teams] are going to let us know.

All those guys are well coached and great football players. We’ll know pretty quick what we’re good at, and maybe more importantly, what we’re not good at,” said Ford.

The five region games for Roswell include five of their same region opponents from last season including Lassiter, Walton, Etowah, Woodstock and Cherokee. Roswell outscored those opponents 235-59 last season.

Sheldon Evans and Xavier McKinney both agree that this year’s Roswell team has the capability to repeat the success of 2015.

Said Evans, “We already know how to get there, so I think we just need to build on what we have been doing.”

McKinney said, “We have the team, we have the skills, it’s just a matter of how hard we work.”

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 2016 2016 | 19

Milton preview:

Eagles looks to get back to winning ways in new region, classification

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga. — Milton will enter 2016 with a new look, a new region, a new classification and new hope after compiling a 4-6 record last season.

Expectations were high for Milton at the outset of 2015 as the team was coming off of an 11-2 season and a trip to the state quarterfinal game. However, the Eagles began last season with three straight losses and never recovered, ending their streak of three winning seasons and trips to the state playoffs.

Entering his sixth year as head

coach, Howie DeCristofaro says the outlook is positive for the 2016 season.

“I think we have a pretty good chance of being good this year,” said DeCristofaro. “We have a lot of talent and a lot of athleticism and hopefully that will help us down the road.”

Milton will be the sole non-Forsyth County team in their new region, Region 4-AAAAAAA, and will face tough opposition from South Forsyth, West Forsyth and Lambert.

“Being in the top classification is very compelling due to the quality of our opponents and region,” said DeCristofaro. “We have to stay healthy in order to compete with our non-region and region schedule.”

Milton will also face a tough non-region schedule with games against Alpharetta, North Gwinnett, Cambridge, Etowah and rival Roswell. DeCristofaro said the tough non-region will provide good preparation for their challenging region schedule.

“We set the schedule up to have a competitive non-region schedule,” he said. “Hopefully this will prepare us for the region opponents.”

After the disappointment of last sea-

We want to get back to where we were.

We were very unhappy with the results of last season. I think it has helped to refocus the coaches and players.”

Howie DeCristofaro Milton head coach son, DeCristofaro said the team is hoping to get back to their winning ways.

“We want to get back to where we were,” he said. “We were very unhappy with the results of last season. I think it has helped to refocus the coaches and players.”

DeCristofaro said the offensive and defensive schemes will remain the same from last season, but both sides of the ball will feature new faces.

With last season’s starting quarterback David Moore lost to graduation, DeCristofaro said there is a competition for Moore’s replacement between senior Jeremy Robinson, junior Davis Smith and sophomore

THE CUENY TEAM

good luck

Jordan Yates. The starting role will be determined in the coming weeks, DeCristofaro said.

Moore was one of nearly 30 seniors to graduate last season, leaving a host of new starting positions on offense, defense and special teams.

“We think we have some great kids who want to compete and play for each other,” he said. “We have a good group of players who realize that it takes the whole team to be successful.

Our players have been working hard to improve. They have put time and effort into being the best that they are capable of. We can’t ask for more than that.”

wishes

YO U

THIS SEASON

!

ANDREA CUENY

NICOLE MCALUNEY

BONNIE SMITH

c. 404.695.7040

c. 678.427.8697

c. 404.713.7713

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

GOOD LUCK ON THE FIELD

SHERRI CONRAD

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CAMBRIDGE PREVIEW:

Bears look to replace first 4-year class after moving to Class 6A

By MILES GARRETT and JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga. — The Cambridge Bears come into the 2016 football season after their most successful year since the football program’s inaugural season in 2012. The Bears finished last year 7-3 (5-2), missing out on a playoff spot due to a loss in a play-in game.

The Bears enter 2016 moved up in classification to Class 6A, and will face an entirely new string of opponents. The Bears were placed in Region 7 which includes many North Fulton schools such as Alpharetta, Chattahoochee and Johns Creek among others.

Cambridge will face seven new opponents this season.

One of the first-time opponents is a Sept. 2 matchup with cross-town Milton.

“We’re excited about the rivalries that we’re going to have and hopefully develop,” head coach Craig Bennett said. “We’re working hard and trying to build our kids day-by-day. Our competition is going to be a definite increase.”

“I think it will be really exciting to play some of the schools close to us,” senior cornerback Alec Kramer added.

“I know some of the players on those teams, it will be fun.”

The Bears offense will feature running back Kaelin Byrd, who returns for his senior campaign after rushing for more than 700 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, along with King’s Ridge transfer Reid Martin at quarterback.

Last year’s starter at quarterback, senior Cameron Moore, moves from quarterback to wide receiver where he will play an all-purpose role for the offense.

“Cameron’s become one of our phenomenal playmakers,” Bennett said. “He’s very versatile. He can play receiver or running back so he’s really bought into it.”

Joining Moore at receiver is junior Spencer Gaddis, who led the Bears in receptions and yards last season.

The added role of Moore, along with the addition of Martin, is an added facet to an offense that Bennett claimed to often rely to heavily on the run.

The defense will be looking to replace a host of players following the team’s first four-year group of players lost to graduation.

Seniors cornerback Alec Kramer and linebacker Tyler Werth will headline a defense that gave up an average of only 16 points last season. While

Dan Carmody /Studio 7 Photography

Cameron Moore (12) will make the jump from quarterback to wide receiver with King’s Ridge transfer Reid Martin taking over behind center for the Bears in 2016. the defensive side of the ball is young, underclassmen have stepped up in the offseason to fill-in the shoes.

Sophomore Kasra Bojnorti, who started as a freshman, will return as defensive end.

“We have a bunch of young guys that can play,” Kramer said. “I think they have stepped up this offseason.

We’ll be fine on defense.”

Bennett enters his fifth season at the helm at Cambridge where his teams have improved each year since the school’s inception in 2012. The next step in the continued build of the program lies with making the playoffs, according to Bennett, a step his team has yet to accomplish.

“We’ve lost the two play-in games the last two years in very close situations,” he said. “Luckily we don’t have to have that this year.”

“The next step for us as a program is to make the playoffs which will be tough for us in this new region. While that’s our outlook and where our desires and goals are, we know that it’s going to be a day-to-day fight to get there.”

Cambridge opens up its season Aug. 26 against Creekview High School where the Bears are hoping to take each game one step at time against unfamiliar and formidable opponents.

“Our particular goal this season is to stay focused on us,” running back Byrd said. “Our motto is ‘All In, All The Time’ and that really means a lot to everyone. Instead of trying to make specific goals, we try to stay together and connected to one another.”

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 2016 2016 | 21

It’s Time For the 1st Annual

Milton Lacrosse Golf Tournament Enjoy a great day of golf on an amazing course for a great cause. Cash prizes go to the top three foursomes and every golfer receives a sponsor gift bag.

There will be tons of opportunities to win great prizes.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016 Afternoon Shotgun Start Trophy Club of Atlanta, 15135 Hopewell Rd, Alpharetta $125 per person or $450 when you register a foursome Business Sponsorship Opportunities With Amazing Exposure to Local Audience

www.miltonboyslacrosse.com

22 | August 2016 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

North Forsyth preview:

Raiders begin the ‘Craft Era’

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Robert Craft, a former assistant coach at Colquitt County and head coach at North Florida Christian in Tallahassee, will enter his first season as head coach of the Raiders this year.

Craft spent five years at Colquitt County as the quarterback coach and offensive coordinator. In 2010, Craft transferred to Tallahassee to take over the head coaching job at North Florida Christian where he led the team to a state championship in 2011.

After winning just 14 games over the past five years, Craft said he hopes to raise the Raiders’ expectations.

The biggest thing we wanted to bring into this program is to raise the expectations within our program,” Craft said. “Begin to get our players, parents, coaches, fans, and everyone involved believing that we can win and win big.

Specifically, we have revamped our strength and conditioning program and installed a very thorough nutrition plan for all our student-athletes.”

Craft said his transition to North has been “outstanding.”

“Our administration has aided me in putting together an outstanding coaching staff with championship pedigree and deep roots in Georgia high school football.”

Craft said his team has already begun to buy-in to the new program.

“We have made several changes within our program, but the kids seem to adapt to those changes and do everything we, as a coaching staff, ask of them,” he said. “We have had a really good off-season. I have been so impressed by how hard our kids have shown up every day to work.”

Craft said the Raiders will run a balanced offense this season, with Ben Bales as quarterback and Simon Holcomb leading the rushing attack.

Holcomb returns for his senior year after leading the Raiders in rushing yards last season.

“We will be young on the offensive line,” said Craft, “but we feel like we have a few juniors who are really ready to step up and have a major impact.”

Craft’s defense will run out of the

4-3, in an “attack style” according to Craft.

“Defensively we will lean heavy on defensive ends Michael Bun and Chris Cutter, linebackers Griffin Hughes and Shaun Herock, and defensive backs Robert Bishop and Bradley Thomas.”

Craft said the work ethic his new team has put forward has impressed him, and he believes it can turn the team around.

“The way our kids have worked since March 1, through the winter, spring and summer allows our staff to be very confident. We haven’t played a game yet so there is still plenty that is unknown, but we feel very good about where our kids are at.”

Given the woes of the past few years at North, Craft said the outlook for the season is filled with “excitement and energy,” as the team looks for its first winning season in three years. “[We are] excited where this program is going, excited where our athletic department is going and excited about the general direction our entire school is going. The energy in our building is very contagious.”

northforsythfootball.com

Ben Bales will be behind center for the Raiders in 2016.

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | August 2016 2016 | 23

Senior Harrison Pomfret (23) will be one of three talented rushers to be in the backfield for Lambert this season.

Kevin O’Brien/Split Second Images

Lambert preview:

Longhorns returning much of successful 2015 team

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Lambert Longhorns will return a large core of their 2015 team that compiled an 8-3 record last season as the team seeks its first ever region championship in the newly formed Region 5-AAAAAAA. Since the program began a full varsity schedule in 2010, the Longhorns have posted a 42-23 record and have made the playoffs five out six years, but have yet to win a region title. As they enter 2016, the goal will undoubtedly be to capture their first region championship and shake their first round woes. In five playoff appearances, the Longhorns have failed to win a game, including a 35-13 loss to Collins Hill in the opening round of the playoffs last season.

However, many of Lambert’s stand-

outs return with an added year of experience under their belt.

Quarterback Richie Kenney threw for 1517 yards last season with eight touchdowns and returns this year for his senior campaign.

Joining Kenney in the backfield is a trio of talented rushers, junior Will Kohlins, senior Harrison Pomfret and senior Brian Wright. Kohlins led the team in rushing yards last season with 601 yards on 102 carries. Pomfret added 438 yards and Wright compiled 419.

Kenneth Dicks III also returns at running back after averaging 5.5 yards per carry last year.

The Longhorns lost top receiver Tanner Hall and Justyn Jean-Felix to graduation, but return junior Tyler Gillis and Jaryd Jean-Felix. The two combined for over 550 receiving yards last season.

The biggest unknown for the offense is the offensive line which will feature all new faces as Sean Bailey, Cliff Snyder, Jason Regulski, Jack Huestess and Nicholas Nieuwhof graduated last season.

The Longhorns defense returns its top three leaders in total tackles from 2015 in linebackers Mac Redmond and Taylor Brinkerhoff as well as safety Marcus Chatelain.

Redmond led the team with 72 total tackles and added two sacks while Brinkerhoff had 56 total tackles, a fumble recovery and led the team with 5.5 sacks. Chatelain had 62 total tackles and three interceptions as a sophomore last season.

Junior Bruce Christensen will likely continue in his role as place-kicker.

Christensen was 18-19 on PATs last season and a perfect 5-5 on field goals last season while sharing duties with

Tanner Hall.

The Longhorns will be seeking their first ever region title this season after finishing second in Region 6-AAAAAA to South Forsyth last season.

The Longhorns went 8-0 in the region before losing 31-6 to South in a winner-take-all game for the region title in their final regular season game last year.

The Longhorns have a 13-3 all-time record against their current region opponents in 5-AAAAAAA. They will be facing Milton for the first time on Oct. 28.

In their non-region schedule, Lambert will face Mountain View, Cherokee and Lanier for the first time.

They will also seek revenge against Collins Hill, who ousted the Longhorns in the 2015 playoffs, as well as against Lanier who have handed Lambert two losses the past two seasons.

24 | August 2016 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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