Coming off the most successful year by far in program history, Ringgold has to replace the most productive player in program history. This isn't just about finding a way to reproduce Slade Dale's remarkable 2013 season - which included 3,206 total yards and 42 touchdowns - but about spreading that responsibility around to a number of capable playmakers.
For this year's Tigers that all starts in the backfield, where seniors Kile Sholl and D.L. Goins form the most dangerous duo in northwest Georgia. The two combined for 1,600 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns last year. And in the line, Ringgold has size and experience in guys such as Hunter Sosebee (6-7, 245) and Bryan Derben (6-foot, 270). New quarterback Devin Lancaster isn't near the runner Dale was, but he has a stronger arm and could change the way defenses attack the Tigers.
"Having Kile and D.L. back is a big thing for us in replacing Slade's yards," coach Robert Akins said. "Devin is making progress and he does things differently. He's a baseball pitcher who can throw about 88 miles per hour, so he can get the football down the field. With our backs and line we feel people are going to have to defend the run first, so some opportunities should open up in the air."
That, Sholl believes, will be the key in whether this team will be just good or great offensively.
"We've always been run-first and we should be hard to stop this year, but I think teams are going to try to take that away this year and make us prove we can pass," said Sholl, who was the team's leading receiver last year with 639 yards. "I think that will give us some chances to go downfield and make big plays and loosen teams up."
The energetic Goins doesn't just see the Tigers equaling last year's production. He thinks the offense will be better.
"As far as teamwise, I think we'll be better overall because we're more talented," he said. "Our line is so good that in contact camps this summer we've hardly been touched. Those guys are so much fun to run behind. We can still hurt teams through the air, but, honestly, I don't see teams being able to stop us on the ground. And when they do load up we can go deep. Defenses are not going to know what to do."
Akins voiced some concern that one of the pitfalls that could hit this year's team is complacency. Listening to Sholl should alleviate any such concern.
"We have high expectations this year and we've put in all the hard work so that we can hold that trophy at the end of the year," he said. "We lost some key guys, but this team is more serious and we have more expectations. Last year we just wanted that one playoff win because we had never gotten one, but this year our dreams are past that. We want to get to the [Georgia] Dome to show people this isn't just a one-year thing."
- Lindsey Young
RINGGOLD TIGERS
Head coach: Robert Akins (46-30 in seven years here; 273-158 in 37 years overall)
Last year: 11-3, 6-1 in Region 5-AAA; lost to Washington County in Class AAA semifinals
Returning starters (O/D/K): 6/6/1
Control panel: The Tigers' run game is in good hands with RB/FS Kile Sholl (5-10, 174, Sr.) and RB/CB D.L. Goins (5-10, 190, Sr.) and a large and experienced line. However, TE/DE Zach Morris (6-4, 285, Sr.), who is committed to Duke, will likely miss some action after having knee surgery.
New producers: QB Devin Lancaster (6-foot, 160, Jr.) will replace the graduated Slade Dale, while two transfers, DE Braxton Stewart (6-2, 225, So.) and DE Michael King (6-1, 220, Jr.), will bolster the defense.
Items of interest:
3 - Playoff wins in school history, all coming last season.
5 - Game five could be for the region championship as newcomer Calhoun visits Don Patterson Stadium.
"Hopefully, we can get back to the level we were last year. We can't sit on our laurels, because people are not going to overlook us this year." - Robert Akins
2014 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 23 - at Northwest Whitfield
Aug. 29 - Heritage
Sep. 12 - at Adairsville *
Sep. 19 - Gordon Central *
Sep. 26 - Calhoun *
Oct. 10 - Lakeview-F.O. *
Oct. 17 - at Sonoraville *
Oct. 24 - Coahulla Creek *
Oct. 31 - at Murray County *
Nov. 7 - at North Murray *
- Region 6-AAA game