One change toward the end of last season could result in improvement this season for Gordon Lee.
Caleb O'Neal started the final three games of 2013 at quarterback and threw for more than 300 yards in the run-based offense.
Even though they were losses, they were experiences for O'Neal, who now takes over full time under center for coach Charles Wiggins and the Trojans.
"He's a very intelligent kid, he's 6-foot-2, and he has some escapability," Wiggins said. "He's got a good arm; he runs it pretty well. He did some stuff getting out of the pocket last year, and when things break down he's able to live."
The three 100-yard games came against Trion, Mount Zion and King's Ridge Christian. He went 32-for-64 for 328 yards with three touchdowns in those games. O'Neal had 89 tackles for the season as the strong safety.
"He has some dynamic skills that not every kid has," Wiggins said. "He has the ability to make a play with his legs or his arm."
O'Neal may have to run at times this season out of necessity. The Trojans will have four new starters on the offensive line. At times, they'll get beat blocking one-on-one, forcing O'Neal to run on his own.
"The line needs to give him time to throw the ball and open holes for the backs," Wiggins said. "Our run game has to be productive for us to be successful."
Wiggins has challenged his offensive line during the preseason.
"From the start of last year to the start of this year, we're replacing an entire offensive line, a quarterback and the entire backfield," Wiggins said. "[On offense] only the wideouts started at the start of last year."
The defense is in a different situation. All but two starters return for the small school in Chickamauga.
"They played pretty well overall last year. We had a couple games like Darlington and Christian Heritage where turnovers got out of hand," Wiggins said. "We expect the defense to increase their level of play even though there's not much room for improvement.
"I expect them to do the same things they did last year."
- David Uchiyama
GORDON LEE TROJANS
Head coach: Charles Wiggins (8-12 here; 52-46 overall)
Last year: 3-6
Returning starters (O/D/K): 3/9/2
Control panel: QB/DB/P Caleb O'Neal (6-2, 175, Jr.) is entrenched at quarterback after taking over late last season. OL/LB Dallas Goodlet (5-11, 200, Sr.) should improve on last year's performance, which included 73 tackles. He calls all of the defenses on the field. RB/FS Hunter Teeter (5-9, 170, Sr.) is in the back line of defense and needs to get the Trojans in the right coverage based on the game plan.
New producers: OL Carson Akins (6-2, 225, So.) is moving into the center spot and has potential. "The rubber has to meet the road," Wiggins said. RB/LB Dalton Owens (5-11, 185, Sr.) is the long-snapper in addition to serving as backup quarterback, running back and outside linebacker. WR/DB Nick Wilson (5-5, 130, Jr.) is the Trojans' best tackler despite his size, and WR/DB Sean Coackley (5-9, 155, Jr.) plays the other side and could be a weapon in special teams, too.
Item of interest: The Trojans took advantage this summer of a new addition to the school, which included a state-of-the-art weight room. It includes 10 stations, new weight machines and cardio machines that should help the Trojans prepare for the season.
2014 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 22 - at Trion
Aug. 29 - Lakeview-F.O.
Sept. 5 - LaFayette
Sept. 12 - at Christian Heritage*
Sept. 26 - at Darlington*
Oct. 3 - Armuchee*
Oct. 10 - at Coosa*
Oct. 17 - Chattooga*
Oct. 31 - at Model*
Nov. 7 - Dade County*
- Region 7-AA game