2013 - Dalton Catamounts

photo Dalton coach Matt Land will be looking to build upon the Catamounts' strong finish to the 2012 season.

Dalton Catamounts

Coach: Matt Land (19-14 in three seasons here and overall)

Last year: 8-4, 4-1 in 7B-AAAA; lost 35-13 to Sandy Creek in the second round of the playoffs

'13 dreams: The second half of last season featured a revival of the proud Dalton program, including an upset of Atlanta's Carver in the playoffs. The Catamounts hope to carry that over to this season, but Land and his experienced coaching staff will have to replace some key losses. Payton Veraldi or Jase Chastain needs to step forward at quarterback and produce right away, but there's also need for a new fullback, two wideouts, a tight end and a center. Dalton's run game is in good hands, though, with speedy tailback Kelvis Rhodes and elite lineman Jake Roberts.

13-for-13 contenders: Rhodes is the kind of home-run hitter who keeps defensive coordinators up at night, though he needs to stay healthy. Junior Eder Mora, a returning all-state player, is a ball hawk who likely will move around all over the field. Senior linebacker Lyle Durham is a physical presence in the middle of the field, while cornerback Chris Childs has had a great offseason, according to Land

Number of interest: 19 - Region championships for the Catamounts since 1964, but only one since 1998.

13 years ago: Dalton was in a transition year in 2000, going 7-4 in Bill McManus' final season. Longtime former assistant coach Ronnie McClurg took over the next season and took the team to the Class AAAA championship game and would win 63 games in six seasons.

Program superstition: The Catamounts have been wearing their trademark red sport coats on game days, a tradition started by legendary coach Bill Chappell in the mid-1960s. According to Land, a former Dalton player, the coats are more about promoting a team atmosphere than looking snazzy.

1-through-3: Senior linebacker Lyle Durham

Q. This program has been going away to camp for decades. What's the biggest benefit from getting away together to prepare for the season?

A. Aside from the emphasis on getting things done on the field, it's as much about team building since we can't practice as much as we used to due to GHSA regulations. We really leave camp a lot closer.

Q. Your team ended last year on a high note. Does that carry over to this year and how much?

A. It's hard to explain what happened, but we just pulled together last year and we finally had the same goal as a team. We've got a good core back from that team, so we should pick right back up.

Q. What is the difference in Dalton winning the region or not making the playoffs this year?

A. The little things are big with us. We've gotten so much done this summer that the small things will now be the biggest difference in how we do this year.

2013 Schedule

Aug. 23 Ringgold

Sep. 6 at Calhoun

Sep. 20 Gilmer County

Sep. 27 at Cass

Oct. 4 Ridgeland*

Oct. 11 at Northwest Whitfield*

Oct. 18 LaFayette*

Oct. 25 at Heritage*

Nov. 1 Southeast Whitfield*

Nov. 8 Region play-in

*Region 7B-AAAA game

2012 Stats

Passing C-A-I Pct. Yards TDs

Cole Calfee 65-138-10 47% 1,068 9

Rushing Att. Yards TDs

Kelvis Rhodes 229 1,529 18

Cole Calfee 63 286 6

Eder Mora 29 235 2

Receiving No. Yards Tds

Brandon Dale 41 771 11

Brandon Painter 6 111 0

Roster

1 Kevin Nguyen Senior

2 Nathan Bryant Senior

3 Mykel Alexander Sophomore

4 Elijah Stidmon Senior

5 Lyle Durham Senior

7 Chris Childs Senior

8 Zek Cobb Freshman

9 Isai Hernandez Sophomore

10 Jase Chastain Sophomore

11 Eder Mora Junior

12 Charlie Martin Junior

13 Peter Sigmon Junior

14 Kiko Rodriguez Junior

16 Travis Nielson Sophomore

17 Cody Edwards Junior

18 Jacob Bartoo Senior

19 Payton Veraldi Junior

21 Kelvis Rhodes Junior

22 Jordan McKinney Sophomore

23 Austin Mills Sophomore

24 Gerardo Perez Senior

25 Tyler Noland Sophomore

26 Nathaniel Mays Sophomore

27 Ramon Ornelas Sophomore

29 Shaw Richardson Sophomore

30 Logan Pender Sophomore

31 Bridge Blakely Sophomore

32 Wyatt Erwin Sophomore

34 Tucker Sumner Freshman

35 Fernando Hernandez Sophomore

37 Devonte Davis Senior

38 D'Andre Massey Sophomore

39 Chipper Elrod Junior

40 Josh Moreno Sophomore

41 David Rockholt Sophomore

42 Cade Keylon Junior

44 Jay Rockholt Senior

46 Bradley Roberts Sophomore

48 Chase Westfall Junior

52 Jarrel Darville Sophomore

53 Grant Sane Senior

54 Jordan Keener Senior

55 Hayden Gross Junior

56 Uriel Perez Junior

60 Dakota Tankersley Senior

62 Daniel Hurtado Junior

63 Jesus Rodriguez Sophomore

64 Andrew Williams Sophomore

65 Evan Stuart Junior

66 Jake Myers Sophomore

68 Juan Pacheco Senior

69 Jake Roberts Senior

70 Warner Braun Junior

71 Logan Mathis Junior

73 Neff Guerrero Sophomore

74 Christopher Breton Sophomore

75 Chris Hicks Junior

76 Connor Cohran Sophomore

77 Tommy Ridley Junior

78 Evan Pope Junior

80 Fransico Calderon Junior

81 Tyler Britton Junior

84 Matt Hamilton Junior

85 Maklain Lawson Junior

86 Chase Todd Senior

87 Eribeth Martinez Senior

88 Rodrick Davidson Senior

90 Cristian Ortiz Junior

94 Salvador Alejandre Senior

95 Miguel Flores Senior

96 Jordan Long Sophomore

97 Paul Abzun Junior

99 Pepe' Gardea Senior

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