BY THE NUMBERS7 - Seniors on the Indians' roster.12 - Freshmen on the roster.10 - Returning lettermen.SCHEDULEAug. 31 East HallSep. 7 at Heard CountySep. 14 DarlingtonSep. 21 Model*Sep. 28 Murray County*Oct. 12 at Armuchee*Oct. 19 at Coosa*Oct. 26 Pepperell*Nov. 2 at Dade County*Nov. 9 Calhoun** Region 7-AA game
CHATTOOGA INDIANS
Coach: Clay Livingston (first year)
Stadium: Little Big Horn Stadium
Address: 989 Highway 114, Summerville, GA 30747
RECENT HISTORY
The Indians went 5-5 last year and enter this year with first-year coach Clay Livingston in charge. They last went to the playoffs in 2009, when their only regular-season loss came against Calhoun. But that season ended with a 45-7 loss to Lovett from Region 6-AA. Last year, the Indians won their first game, lost four straight, then ended the year with four straight victories.
Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:
2011-----5
2010----4
2009---------9
2008------6
2007-------7
THREE STRENGTHS
1) Speed. The Indians are continuing their tradition of being an athletic team with speed at almost every position. Livingston will try to use the quickness with the spread offense and let the players use their strengths in space. "We don't have a lot of lineman-type kids, so we'll go three or four wide," Livingston said. "Then the defense is going to make a choice. In high school, most folks will make you beat them through the air."
2) Youth can be a positive. As Livingston explained, young players may have fewer bad habits and "don't know they're not supposed to beat Calhoun [for example]. We have kids who didn't play middle school ball and they don't look at past struggles. Ignorance can be bliss."
3) Coaching staff. Livingston is a head coach for the first time, but his staff is balanced with youth and experience. Offensive coordinator Jeff Bullen is 48 years old, while defensive coordinator Nick Sikes is 28. "All of them have embraced their role and what they can contribute," Livingston said. "Everybody does everything they can. We have a good mix."
THREE CONCERNS
1) Lack of experience. Ignorance may be bliss at times, but it can also be a detriment. "You have kids who haven't been under the lights and you never know until you turn them on," Livingston said. "Some kids will embrace that and feed off of it. Some kids will fold."
2) Undeveloped football IQ. With such a young and inexperienced team, the Indians have to spend more time on Football 101. "You can't take anything for granted with our kids," Livingston said. "They're good athletes, but you have to teach everything. You can't assume they know anything, and that can be frustrating."
3) A new region. The Indians are playing in Region 7-AA this season, which is a switch from Region 6-AA. So there are unknown teams on the schedule. "It's still pretty tough," Livingston said. "It's tough from top to bottom There are good programs and hard-nosed tough kids at these schools. Then there's Calhoun and Pepperell, who are good year in and year out."
THREE QUESTIONS WITH RENZEL ADAMS
(senior center/defensive end)
Q: What is your favorite drill during practice?
A: It's the defensive pursuit drill. Coach passes the ball to one receiver, and every player on defense has to pursue that guy.
Q: What game are you looking forward to most this season?
A: It's not a game, but our scrimmage against Trion. It's a big rivalry. That's what I'm looking forward to most right now, because when we beat them, that will be a point proven.
Q: What are your favorite college and pro football teams?
A: Florida State and the Green Bay Packers.
ROSTER
1 Nigel Dickerson - Junior
2 Trey Tucker - Sophomore
3 Anthony Laughlin - Freshman
4 Jacob DeBerry - Freshman
5 Shaun Lawrence - Junior
7 Darius Williams - Junior
8 Garret Salmon - Junior
9 Joe Laughlin - Senior
13 Tevin Shropshire - Junior
14 Justice Wilson - Junior
15 Trevor Curtis - Sophomore
16 Dalton Brown - Junior
17 Donovan Dallas - Sophomore
19 Gary Snead - Sophomore
20 Ricky Lamb - Senior
21 Sergio Mosqueda - Junior
22 Thomas Maddux - Senior
23 Jaylin Moore - Junior
24 Rashud Price - Freshman
25 Raj Patel - Sophomore
26 J'ahaddias Adams - Junior
28 Zay Underwood - Freshman
30 Christian Turkett - Sophomore
32 Travel Bankston - Freshman
34 Ronell Sims - Senior
35 Mar'klin Christopher - Freshman
37 Nick York - Sophomore
40 Damian Childress - Junior
42 Devan Byers - Junior
43 Dylan Mathis - Junior
46 Brandon Lawrence - Senior
48 Tyler Hughes - Sophomore
50 Brandon Pope - Junior
51 Spencer Hogg - Junior
52 Renzel Adams - Senior
54 Skyler Esman - Junior
55 Dustin Hall - Sophomore
57 Josh Bailey - Junior
58 Jay Williams - Freshman
60 Michael Leming - Sophomore
63 Charles Davis - Freshman
65 Casey Harris - Senior
67 Austin McGraw - Freshman
70 Chandler Edgeworth - Sophomore
74 Jason Galloway - Sophomore
75 Chris Murphy - Freshman
76 Davone Evans - Freshman
79 Anthony Ledbetter - Sophomore
81 Jayden Poarch - Junior
85 Darius Floyd - Junior
86 Ricky Cardoza - Junior
88 Dee McCutchins - Freshman