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LANIER CHRISTIAN LIGHTNING EXPECT BIG THINGS WITH MOVE TO 11-MAN FOOTBALL
by The Times
BY BILL MURPHY bmurphy@gainesvilletimes.com
When Bruce Miller gets excited about one of his football teams, that’s a pretty good indicator that it’s in for a good season.
That’s certainly the case for Lanier Christian Academy in 2022.
Even with the move up to an 11-man league, the Lightning’s secondyear coach is quite optimistic about what is to come this season for the program that plays its home games at Gainesville Middle School.
“Well, it’s going to be a challenge for us, but going to 11-man football is something that our community and kids are looking forward to doing this season,” Miller said.
This season, Lanier Christian will be guided by the return of sophomore running back Zeke Clanton, who picked up more than 1,600 yards in 2021.
The Lightning coach and his staff will devise every imaginable way to get the ball into the hands of their shifty running back.
“Zeke’s one of those running backs that I’m glad he’s on my team,” Miller said. “He’s a complete running back.”
This season, Lanier Christian’s move up will include matchups against former GHSA programs — King’s Ridge Christian and Walker — that are moving down to the GISA (now called the GIAA).
Now in its sixth season, Lanier Christian’s football program is building some depth, which stands at about 24 players, Miller said.
Miller said that his program this season will benefit from a talented freshmen class, led by quarterback CJ Britt, who will start at the varsity level for Lanier Christian this season.
In addition to having a lively arm, Britt is dynamic as a runner in the open field, too.
“We have seven or eight ninth-graders who have really developed and matured,” Miller said.
Also in the running game, the Lightning will get Isaic Reing in on the action.
For Britt, his options will be plentiful in the passing game.
His top targets are Camden Hohman, Shepherd Acton, Carter Raulerson, Isaac Dinn and Ben Hargis.
Blocking up front for Lanier Christian, 6-foot-4, 320-pound tackle Josh Waymack, Jordan Smith and Quinn Winfrey will lead the way on the offensive line.
After that, Miller said that ‘7 or 8’ players have a chance to get in the game on the offensive line.
On defense, Waymack, Smith, Luke Hopkins and Winfrey will be leading the effort on the line of scrimmage.
At linebacker, Dinn and Acton will be playing inside, while Hargis and Clanton will man the outside spots.
Raulerson and Hohman will lead the way in the secondary for the Lightning, their coach said.
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