Trion's Gabe Howell finds running room in the Gordon Lee defense. He's one of several backs making contributions for Georgia's No. 2 Class A public-school team.TRION, Ga. - Three games into the 2014 high school football season, much of the heavy lifting already has been accomplished for the Trion Bulldogs.
That isn't to say the upcoming Region 6A-A schedule won't have its pitfalls, but in the upside-down world of Class A football in Georgia, coach Justin Brown's team has at least put itself in position to be a highly ranked and seeded playoff team.
The ranking system used only in Class A, where the postseason is split into public and private tournaments, awards bonus points for defeating larger classification teams. Trion opened its season with wins against Class AA schools Gordon Lee and Armuchee and defeated Class AAAA rival LaFayette last week, putting the Bulldogs currently No. 2 in the public-school list.
"Actually, we should be ranked first because, unless I'm wrong, the numbers for [No. 1] Atkinson County are wrong," Brown said with a laugh. "It's no big deal, but it would be nice to say we're number one.
"Obviously, getting those three wins against bigger schools is huge for us. The win over LaFayette is almost a 20-point game for us. Now we know the numbers are skewed early in the season, but we've put ourselves in a nice position."
Of course, winning games is the goal of every coach at every level, and for Trion this year that means a return to a more physical style of play in the wing-T offense. Brown knew his team was deep with running backs and wingbacks, but with four new starters on the line he wasn't sure how quickly the running game would come together.
"We thought our skill guys and our defense were going to be strengths, but with all those young guys up front having to learn how to play on Friday nights, we were concerned," Brown said. "But the play of guys like Ben Chapman, Matthew Wilson and our one returning starter up front, Addison Meeler, has been the difference."
The Bulldogs have run for 565 yards in the last two games and in the two close wins over Gordon Lee and LaFayette have worn the opposition down late. Junior wingback Gabe Howell, who leads the team in rushing with 271 yards on 6.8 yards per carry, said the strong finishes are not a fluke.
"We're a much tougher team this year, and it starts with the guys up front," Howell said. "They're physical and they seem to get better in the fourth quarter. We just didn't have the heart last year to finish games, but this year we do."
Trion also has unique depth for a Class A team. Howell and fellow backs Malik Martin, Drake Clowdis and Devonya Farmer all start on defense, so the ability to sub for them offensively without losing production has been a key so far, according to Brown.
"It's huge having fresh legs in the backfield, and we have several quality backs," said Brown, also referring to Jarrett Pierce and Austin Weaver. "Larger schools have that luxury, but it's a nice commodity for a Class A school to have because our starters are able to play every down on defense if we need them."
Howell, at 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, isn't the biggest of the backs, but Brown said his on-field leadership and toughness make up for any lack of size.
"Gabe is a throwback in that he never takes a day off," Brown said of the two-sport star. "He's not only a starter for us at wingback and cornerback; he's our holder, our punt returner and our backup quarterback. And he's extremely tough. He played over 100 snaps against Gordon Lee, and the conditions were horrible. He cramped the entire second half but never told anyone."
The quiet Howell just shrugs off the praise and prefers to focus on the team. Like his teammates he's proud to be on a highly ranked team, but he has a message to anyone who might get complacent.
"We have to stay focused and determined," he said. "If we keep our eyes on the prize we'll be OK."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.