Sonoraville Phoenix
Coach: Roger Gentry (5-15 in two seasons here and overall)
Last year: The Phoenix clipped Model 18-17 in their third game for their only win of the year.
'13 dreams: The 2012 season turned out to be a nightmare. Players fell to season-long injuries early in the season, and their replacements fell for games at a time, Gentry recalled. The Phoenix were spread thin against deeper and more experienced teams. "We had seven or eight gone for the season," Gentry said. "Then we lost them for a week at a time. We would have been better with Brandon Rawls, Robbie Johnson, Jackson Murray and Chris Baker."
13-for-13 contenders: Gentry exited camp with 82 players on the roster. They are the survivors embarking on a new trek for Sonoraville. "I have expectations to go out and win football games," Gentry said. "I'm tired of talking about it and making excuses. It's time for Sonoraville football to step up to the plate." Gentry brought in a new defensive coordinator, Jim Kramer, and gave him the keys to restructure. On offense, senior quarterback Griff Bryant has been coachable and tossed it well in 7-on-7 competition. But most of the anticipation is around running back Andrew Slaton (6-foot-1, 185) who won state track championships in the 100-meter dash and the 110 high hurdles. "I'm looking for a big year out of him," Gentry said. But Thomas Gray (5-11, 270) and the rest of his line must pave the way. Junior Clark Johnson (6-5, 200) can open things on the outside and catch passes from either quarterback when he's on the field. Kenny Cooper (6-3, 275) is a rising star if he can turn baby fat into muscle.
Number of interest: 6 - the number of years since the school opened and the Phoenix went winless in their first season.
13 years ago: The property where Sonoraville resides was likely pastures and field with hooved animals roaming where football players practice now. Gentry was coaching at Sandy Creek High School.
Program superstition: The Phoenix grab each other in the locker room a few minutes before kickoff and rededicate themselves to each other. As Gentry said, "We all gather up and we grab ahold of each other; then we look at each other and say, 'You can count on me.'"
1-through-3: Senior lineman Thomas Gray
Q. How often do your teammates joke about your sports glasses?
A. They do sometimes, but I've worn them all four years in high school, so they're used to it.
Q. How well can you see without them?
A. Horrible. I'm blind as a bat.
Q. How do you turn around the jokes on teammates?
A. All the other linemen are as big as me, so I'll crack "big" jokes at them.
2013 Schedule
Aug. 30 at Pickens County
Sep. 6 at Gilmer County
Sep. 13 Model
Sep. 20 at Coahulla Creek
Sep. 27 at North Murray
Oct. 4 Ringgold
Oct. 18 Adairsville
Oct. 25 Gordon Central
Nov. 1 at Cartersville
Nov. 8 Lakeview-F.O.
*Region 5-AAA game
2012 Stats
Passing C-A-I Pct. Yards TDs
Tyler Harris 127-267-17 1,336 11
Rushing Att. Yards TDs
Jackson Murray 87 672 8
Tyler Harris 28 92 2
Receiving No. Yards TDs
Chris Baker 43 501 3
Jackson Murray 26 304 1
Matt Edgar 26 240 1
Roster
No. Name Class
2 Tanner Sanderson Junior
3 C.J. Corley Freshman
4 Griff Bryant Junior
5 Marco Munoz Freshman
6 Clark Johnson Junior
7 Austin Carter Sophomore
8 Andrew Slaton Senior
9 Maurice Moore Freshman
10 Dakota French Senior
12 Junior Solis Junior
14 Dylan Dixon Sophomore
16 Morgan Holt Freshman
17 Chris Green Senior
18 Bevin Harris Junior
19 Nathan Holbert Freshman
20 Logan Sutton Senior
21 Bailey Reece Freshman
22 Josh Newport Senior
23 Alex Hales Freshman
24 Houston Nance Junior
25 Jack Miles Junior
26 Joey Skibo Senior
27 Hunter Lay Sophomore
28 Mackenzie Kilpatrick Senior
30 Gage Burger Senior
31 Cody Long Sophomore
32 Logan Guess Sophomore
33 Tate Moore Freshman
35 Braxton Blalock Junior
36 Gabe Johnson Senior
37 Stone Logan Freshman
38 Joseph Leatherwood Freshman
41 Jarett Derryberry Senior
42 Jarred Storm Junior
44 Jonathon Silvers Sophomore
45 Riley Kilpatrick Junior
48 Chris Gonzalez Junior
49 Randall Goodman Senior
50 Dylan Rhinehart Junior
51 Noah Cloer Freshman
52 Caylen Hager Sophomore
53 Adam Bennett Senior
54 David Sherriff Sophomore
55 Israel Smith Freshman
56 Tanner Gray Sophomore
57 Caleb Chambers Senior
58 Kenny Cooper Sophomore
59 Ace McCoy Senior
60 Jake Harford Senior
61 Jonathan Novicki Sophomore
62 Sherrod Agee Freshman
63 Ryan Brown Senior
64 Noah Davenport Freshman
65 Bryson Peace Junior
66 Zach Farr Freshman
68 Austin Pasley Sophomore
69 Caleb Storm Freshman
70 Thomas Gray Senior
71 Dalton Litton Sophomore
72 Landon Williams Freshman
74 Elisha Hager Sophomore
75 Paton Dempsey Junior
76 Tyler Maines Sophomore
77 Shane Gibson Sophomore
78 Landon Vest Sophomore
80 Avery Boley Junior
81 Aaron Brooks Junior
82 Alex Macias Freshman
83 Austin Easterwood Sophomore
84 Nathaniel Smith Sophomore
85 Andrew Clay Freshman
87 Thomas Hayes Sophomore
88 Scott Lumpkin Senior
89 Demarcus Irick Senior
90 Chris Crowe Sophomore
91 Tyler Luker Senior