The Trojans have solid numbers and three quarterbacks who could contend for the starting job.Gordon Lee Trojans
Coach: Charlie Wiggins (5-6 in one season; 48-41 overall)
Last year: 5-6, 2-3 in 6 A-A, lost to eventual state champion Emauel County Institute in the first round of playoffs
'13 dreams: The Trojans have the goal - like many other schools - of winning their region and making the playoffs. The attainability of those goals will be based on attrition from last year and player development during the preseason and game to game. The Trojans graduated seven defensive starters - most of whom started at least three seasons - including all-state linebacker Bryce Bailey. Wiggins said the offense should remain "status quo."
13-for-13 contenders: The average size of players for the Trojans - especially at skill positions - is about 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds. Yet Wiggins said the team is more athletic than often in the past, and it has experience, including three senior quarterbacks - any of whom could take most of the snaps - in Zach Cobb (6-1, 170), Garrett McAllister (5-11, 165) and Hayden Casteel (5-10, 170). "They're all three going to be on the field all over the place," Wiggins said. "All of our quarterbacks and running backs need to have good years for us to be successful."
13 years ago: "Most of the guys on the team now were 4 years old," Wiggins said. "Some of the seniors may have been in kindergarten. I was the [offensive coordinator] at Maryville College and my daughter, Ashton, was born that Christmas."
Number of interest: 21 - The Trojans scored 21 rushing touchdowns last year while rushing for 2,361 yards on 402 carries as a team. n Program superstition: Gordon Lee has a tradition called the "The Trojan Walk" for every home game. The players file into the stadium before the game through a throng of fellow students and fans and past monuments for every state championship in every sport.
1-through-3: Senior athlete Zach Cobb
Q. What sports did you play growing up, and what do you play now?
A. I played football, basketball and baseball, and I still play football and baseball.
Q. Why did you give up hoops?
A. Coming into high school, I didn't want sports taking my whole time, so I gave up the one I wanted to play least.
Q. What's the best part of playing for Gordon Lee?
A. It's the tradition that comes with it. It's a tradition that everybody in the city is at every game Friday night.
2013 Schedule
Aug. 30 at Lakeview-F.O.
Sep. 6 Coahulla Creek
Sep. 13 at Armuchee
Sep. 27 Whitefield Academy
Oct. 4 Christian Heritage*
Oct. 18 Darlington*
Oct. 25 Trion*
Nov. 1 at Mt. Zion, Carroll*
Nov. 8 Region play-in
*Region 6 A-A game; Games at 7:30 Eastern
2012 Stats
Passing C-A-I PCT Yards TDs
Garrett McAllister 50-99-8 50.5 523 9
Rushing Att. Yards TDs
Zach Cobb 135 885 6
Adam Vandiver 102 770 6
Receiving No. Yards TDs
Bryce Bailey 18 159 2
Zach Cobb 8 125 2
(NOTE: bolded players are returning)
Roster
No. Name Class
2 Sean Coakley Junior
3 Nick Wilson Junior
4 Logan Hill Freshman
6 Dalton Owens Junior
7 Hunter Teeters Junior
8 Colin Wright Junior
10 Caleb O'Neal Sophomre
11 Garret McAllister Senior
14 Logan Parish Sophomore
15 Austin Sturdivent Sophomore
16 Chase Wood Senior
20 Caleb Butcher Freshman
21 Aaron McCurdy Freshman
22 Scott Royal Junior
24 Zach Cobb Senior
26 Gabe Veazey Senior
27 McKinnon Young Freshman
32 Evan Clayton Freshman
33 Drew Cobb Freshman
35 Andrew Toans Sophomore
36 Zach Liner Sophomore
39 Cameron Scroggins Sophomore
40 Braxton Salmon Sophomore
42 Andrew Coulter Sophomre
51 Clayton Ware Senior
52 Jake Butcher Senior
56 Dallas Goodlet Junior
57 Tanner Davis Freshman
58 Tristan Crabtree Senior
60 Evan Fraley Freshman
61 Andrew Wilson Freshman
62 Tyler Smith Junior
63 Nicolas Rousseau Senior
64 Peyton Vowell Sophomre
65 Garrett Kerns Senior
66 Spencer Wilson Sophomore
67 Jake Rodgers Junior
68 Austin Dees Junior
74 Ryker Smith Sophomre
75 Jarod Streetman Sophomre
77 Matthew Stadter Sophomre
80 Nate Young Senior
81 Chris Davis Sophomre
85 Jake Leiviska Freshman