Grace Academy coach Bob Ateca, right, will lean on experienced playmakers such as Will Slack (7) this fall for the Golden Eagles.Grace Academy Golden Eagles
Coach: Bob Ateca (11-20 in three seasons here; 46-69 in 13 seasons overall)
Last year: 2-8
'13 dreams: Grace enters the season with more questions than answers. There are some talented players among the 34 on the squad, and about half the starters return on each side. Also, the schedule doesn't seem to be as brutal as last year's, when eight of the Golden Eagles' opponents advanced to at least the second round of the state playoffs. They'll have to stay healthy and the offensive line must jell to have a shot at a winning record. Senior running back Will Slack (6-foot, 180) is looking to return to the form when he was a sophomore before he tore an ACL halfway through the year. Grace is switching to more of a multiple-I offense with Slack at tailback and senior Dequan Hughes (5-7, 185) at fullback. He'll also play defense this year as the safety opposite Slack. Senior Kent Scruggs (5-9, 195) anchors the line on both sides.
Number of interest: The Golden Eagles have 13 seniors this season.
13 years ago: The program did not exist.
1-through-3: Senior safety and wide receiver Ike Ateca
Q. What can we expect to see from Grace Academy this season?
A. I think you'll see a lot more team play instead of individual play. We've got to play more as a team because we lost a lot of talent last year. It's got to be more of a team effort this year.
Q. What specifically does Grace have to do well to be a better football team?
A. Run the ball. Most teams tell you that, but we've got to do that. Not having a high-velocity-armed quarterback, we've got to run the ball to be able to set up some good pass plays.
Q. What's it like having your father as your head coach?
A. It's interesting. I don't know if it's a lot different, but it's a little bit harder. He's tougher on me, but I think he's pretty equal. He'll let other people pass me up if they're better and work harder than me.
2013 Schedule
Aug.23 Chattanooga Christian 7:30
Aug. 30 Grundy County 8
Sep. 6 at Davidson Academy 8
Sep. 13 at Lookout Valley 7:30
Sep. 27 at Eagleville 8
Oct. 4 Boyd-Buchanan* 7:30
Oct. 11 at Sale Creek 7:30
Oct. 18 at Silverdale Baptist Academy* 7:30
Oct. 25 Jackson County 8
Nov. 1 Copper Basin* 7:30
- District 5-A game
2012 STATS
Passing
C-A-I Pct. Yards TDs
Josh Smith 35-69-5 50.7 700 7
Rushing
Att. Yards TDs
Aaron Tisdale 90 797 7
Josh Smith 86 686 11
Will Slack 103 587 5
Dequan Hughes 113 541 4
Receiving
No. Yards TDs
Drew Shumaker 9 237 3
Austin Powell 13 212 3
Will Slack 10 155 1
Tackles
Solo Assists Total
Aaron Tisdale 94 40 114
Austin Powell 89 44 111
Roster
No. Name Class
1 Ike Ateca Senior
2 Larry Mason Junior
3 Tres Boyd Junior
5 Jared Thompson Freshman
7 Will Slack Senior
9 Dequan Hughes Senior
11 Austin Smith Senior
12 Ethan Bradshaw Freshman
13 Isaac Spencer Senior
14 Austin Walls Freshman
15 Chet Matheny Senior
21 Tyler Wynn Senior
23 James Rowell Sophomore
28 Josh Leamon Junior
30 Chace Underwood Senior
33 Alex Blandon Sophomore
35 Caleb Sanders Sophomore
41 Dalton Morrison Freshman
45 Nathan Merritt Freshman
49 Tommy Short Freshman
50 Kent Scruggs Senior
52 Waldo Odens Senior
53 Caleb Guffey Freshman
55 Dakota Doss Sophomore
56 Brandon Sherr Freshman
57 Stephan Lawrence Junior
62 Austin Parks Junior
68 Logan Groves Junior
70 Nolen Turner Senior
72 Sam Coward Junior
75 Eli Rogers Sophomore
78 Alex Ratledge Sophomore
84 Cody Sanders Junior
88 Chandler Cook Senior