7 minute read
Trinity Christian Lions
Next mission on the Horizon
The question going into the 2022 season was, “Can they do it? Can the Trinity Christian Lions replicate their success from Single A Private in the larger, more competitive Class 4A?”
The answer was a resounding “YES!”
Despite losing their top athlete, Aaron Gates, early in the season, the Lions finished 5-2 in Region 4-4A to continue their run of making the state playoffs for the 11th consecutive season.
Key region wins against Whitewater, Starr's Mill and Fayette County were what the Trinity fan base hungered for. It proved the Lions belonged within the top programs in their neighborhood.
The senior group that left closed the chapter on an era of unmatched success in GHSA football; a state championship, a state runner-up, a move up three classes and returning to the playoffs.
With only one holdover left from those back-toback state championship appearances, senior defensive lineman Cam Matthews, the Lions still have the same identity; they will have different names and faces in the lineup.
But isn't that the mark of a truly successful program? Young men come into the program, and during their time, they raise the level for those that come after them.
LEADERSHIP – Head Coach Kenny Dallas has been at the helm of the Trinity Christian program since 2017. In his six seasons, he has won a state championship (2021), two state runners-up (2017 and 2020), and three region championships.
Last season, he won his 150th career game when the Lions defeated North Clayton 53-12.
Coach Dallas is not only known for his coaching excellence, but he also made a significant impact by founding M46 Dads.
This remarkable initiative provides straightforward and biblical teachings specifically tailored to men as fathers. Based on the last verse of the old testament, Malachi 4:6, M46 Dads bring together a community of like-minded men who seek God's guidance, share their experiences, strength, and hope with one another.
LAST YEAR IN REVIEW – The Lions lost a lot from their 2021 state championship team, and moved up three GHSA classifications. After two tough losses to start the year, the Lions righted the ship in a road win against Mary Persons.
They took the momentum from there to win four consecutive region wins over Riverdale, North Clayton, Starr's Mill and Whitewater.
The Starr’s Mill game was a defensive struggle at home that the Lions ultimately won 3-0, and then the Whitewater game produced one of the most improbable comebacks.
They finished the regular season with a blowout win over the Fayette County Tigers, which completed a sweep against their neighbors from Fayette County. The Lions qualified for the playoffs for the 11th consecutive year.
OFFENSE – The Lions' offensive system puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback to make good decisions fast. For three seasons, David Dallas perfected the craft, and last year, Henry Brodnax carried the tradition.
This season, Jayden Jackman and Ronnie Frere will compete for the job but the decision will ultimately come down to who is the best and leading the offense.
A successful running game is often the result of talented running backs, effective blocking schemes, offensive line cohesion, and solid coaching. If the team can create a well-rounded offensive strategy that maximizes the strengths of Phoenix Moss and Bakari Hamilton, it could lead to a formidable and balanced offensive attack.
The receiving corps includes Logan Moss, Kaden Hanson, Wesley Middlebrooks, and Noah Tarver. The line will rely on a couple of seniors with Matthew McWilliams and Jonah Conaway.
DEFENSE – The defensive line, led by Cam Matthews, is expected to be aggressive and effective at pressuring the opposing team's quarterback. This pressure will create opportunities for linebackers Cody Anderson and Cam Rodgers, as they will have more open space to make defensive plays, such as tackling ball carriers or covering receivers in the open field.
This coordinated effort between the defensive line and linebackers can greatly disrupt the opponent's offensive plays and contribute to the team's success on defense. Moss and Omari Stewart got a lot of playing time on the backend of the defense last season.
SPECIAL TEAMS – Senior Connor DePriest will get a shot at the kicking duties, while Kaden Hanson will punt.
OUTLOOK – There are a lot of pieces to replace on both sides of the ball, but the cupboard is certainly not bare. The Lions will rely on backs Phoenix Moss and Bakhari Hamilton to carry the freight until the quarterbacks get up to speed in the Lions system.
The defense has talent at each level, Matthews and Rodgers on the defensive, Anderson at linebacker, and Logan Moss in the secondary.
Trinity Christian has an intrinsic quality that is hard to define with metrics based on size and speed. It could be the early morning offseason workouts known as “Crucibles,” which allow the team to develop a deep connection with each other and the coaching staff.
The Lions always seem to find a way. Just like the Whitewater game last year, this year’s team is poised to begin the journey to connect the opportunity with the moment. Never count out the Lions.
KEY GAME ON THE SCHEDULE – It was a heavyweight fight last year; the Lions and the Starr’s Mill Panthers went toe-to-toe for 48 minutes, with a Luke Schwarting field goal as the only points in a 3-0 Trinity Christian win.
Ultimately, the game meant the Lions would qualify for the playoffs in their first season in 4A, and Starr's Mill stayed home for the first time since 2013.
The game will be at Starr’s Mill this year, and the memories of last year’s slugfest will still be fresh for the Panthers. The Lions must run the ball to take the crowd out of the game and let those late-game intangibles pull them to another victory.
NAMES FROM THE PAST – In the infancy of football at Trinity Christian, the program started with 8-man football. Their first season of varsity 11-man came in 2011 under the leadership of Head Coach Chris Hanson.
It was rough sledding for the fledging Lions, and their schedule certainly did not help. But they began to show signs of life as the season went along. Against powerhouse Stratford, which was the Lions' fifth consecutive game against an undefeated foe, the Lions showed progress by scoring 28 points at home, which was East Coweta Middle School’s McKnight Field.
The stars aligned in Week Nine when the Lions won their first varsity game against Griffin Christian 36-0. Special teams set the tone for the victory. Cole Barnes blocked a punt, and Donterrious Snelling returned a kick for a touchdown.
Cody Houser caught a touchdown pass while Auggie Petit ran for another. The defense also got into the act; Gavin Smith recovered a fumble for a score.
It was their only win the first season, but it was a building block that led to the Lions making the playoffs every year since, a streak of 11 years in a row.
