BY THE NUMBERS1 - Returners among the top six receivers and rushers of 2011.3 - Games the Generals lost in the final minutes last year. A win in any of those would have sent Heritage to its first playoff game.5 - Starters returning from a defense that allowed 30 or more points three times but also posted three shutouts. A more athletic defense should limit the big plays against it this year.SCHEDULEAug. 31 at RinggoldSep. 7 Lakeview-F.O.Sep. 14 at CassSep. 21 Pickens CountyOct. 5 at Northwest Whitfield*Oct. 12 at LaFayette*Oct. 19 Southeast Whitfield*Oct. 26 at Dalton*Nov. 2 Ridgeland*Nov. 9 Region 7-AAAA play-in game* Region 7B-AAAA game
HERITAGE GENERALS
Coach: Tim James (13-27 in four years here, 67-54 in 22 overall)
Stadium: Jeff Sims Field
Address: 3960 Poplar Springs Road, Ringgold, GA 30736
RECENT HISTORY
Since their inception, the Generals have followed Coach James' plan and increased their win total each season, though a playoff appearance has eluded them. Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:
2011 -------(7)
2010 -----(5)
2009 -(1)
2008 (0)
2007 Did not play
THREE STRENGTHS
1) Coach James calls this team the most physical he's coached at Heritage, a facet of the game needed in the Generals' power offense.
2) If he stays healthy, senior running back Ketwun Burns will give the Generals a speed threat they haven't had. After a promising start to his sophomore season, the 5-foot-8, 170-pounder has been frequently injured.
3) The Generals were a trendy pick at this time last year to make the playoffs. Expectations outside the program aren't as high this year, something James hopes his team notices and uses for motivation.
THREE CONCERNS
1) After graduating 31 members from the first full senior class in school history, the Generals lack depth more than anything. The lines are strong, according to James, but early-season depth is a concern.
2) The Heritage special teams have been a strength in recent seasons, but the graduation of star kicker/punter Dustin Lewis may be felt early and often.
3) Where are the big plays? The Generals were efficient offensively a year ago, scoring 30 or more points four times, but a lack of big plays hurt them in their three close losses.
THREE QUESTIONS WITH JORDAN LILES
(Senior linebacker)
Q: You graduated a ton of seniors last year. What kind of challenge does that present?
A: We had a lot of juniors last year that can fill in. We've got healthy competition in camp, and that's a good thing for this team.
Q: Is there one early game that stands out that could help send this team on to a strong season?
A: Ringgold. Obviously, it's the first game of the year and it's a big rivalry. It's going to come down to which team is in better shape and which one wants it more. It's a good rivalry in that they are 10 minutes down the road, but it's not a hateful rivalry. We match up really well against them, and it's going to be a good game.
Q: What would it mean to be on the first Heritage team to make the playoffs?
A: It would be a huge accomplishment for this senior class. It's my last shot, so it would be great. To get there we have to work hard every single day and not take plays off, which did happen to us some last year.
ROSTER
1 Blake Burch - Sophomore
2 Ketwun Burns - Senior
3 C.J. Rutledge - Sophomore
4 Brandon Dorn - Sophomore
5 Hunter Faulknor - Senior
6 Tyler Pendygraft - Sophomore
7 Colby Chattin - Senior
8 Jordan Liles - Senior
9 Austin Greene - Sophomore
10 Damian Goins - Junior
11 Richard Chang - Senior
12 Seth Hickman - Junior
13 Jared Morris - Senior
14 Jacob Carter - Senior
16 Blaine Loveless - Sophomore
17 Zack Ellis - Junior
18 Dylan Bice - Freshman
20 Cory Hemphill - Sophomore
21 Tyler Childers - Sophomore
22 Grant Gunter - Sophomore
23 Brady Samples - Junior
24 Hunter Talley - Senior
25 Colby Wood - Junior
27 Hayden Quarles - Sophomore
29 James Horton - Senior
30 Cody Youngblood - Junior
32 Justin Mock - Junior
33 Nick Thurman - Sophomore
34 Blaine Bird - Sophomore
43 Adrian Gonzalez - Senior
45 Caleb Dietz - Senior
47 Levi Coker - Senior
48 Devin Dean - Sophomore
50 Austin Melton - Junior
51 C.J. Bendall - Sophomore
52 Austin Crane - Junior
53 Zack Keaton - Junior
54 Rodney Clayton - Senior
55 Dillon Sisk - Junior
56 Austin Alexander - Sophomore
57 David Besh - Sophomore
58 Caleb Waldrep - Junior
59 Jonathon Keown - Junior
60 Justin Pettit - Senior
61 Luke Britton - Sophomore
62 Moses Guzman - Junior
63 Devin Burkhart - Junior
64 Jacob Riggs - Sophomore
65 Will Pettigrew - Sophomore
66 Chandler Faragali - Junior
67 Ryan Deason - Junior
68 Bryce Honeycutt - Senior
70 Andrew Morton - Sophomore
71 Tyler Harris - Senior
72 Michael Moore - Senior
73 Caleb Ernsberger - Junior
74 Trey Sherrill - Senior
75 Justin Locke - Sophomore
77 Will Holcomb - Senior
78 Isaac Miller - Sophomore
79 Josh Perry - Junior
80 Christian King - Sophomore
81 Daniel Ford - Sophomore
82 Blake Burris - Sophomore
88 Jefferson Freitas - Sophomore
93 Adam Alhyege - Freshman