Preps Preview: Heritage Generals

BY THE NUMBERS1 - Returners among the top six receivers and rushers of 2011.3 - Games the Generals lost in the final minutes last year. A win in any of those would have sent Heritage to its first playoff game.5 - Starters returning from a defense that allowed 30 or more points three times but also posted three shutouts. A more athletic defense should limit the big plays against it this year.SCHEDULEAug. 31 at RinggoldSep. 7 Lakeview-F.O.Sep. 14 at CassSep. 21 Pickens CountyOct. 5 at Northwest Whitfield*Oct. 12 at LaFayette*Oct. 19 Southeast Whitfield*Oct. 26 at Dalton*Nov. 2 Ridgeland*Nov. 9 Region 7-AAAA play-in game* Region 7B-AAAA game

HERITAGE GENERALS

Coach: Tim James (13-27 in four years here, 67-54 in 22 overall)

Stadium: Jeff Sims Field

Address: 3960 Poplar Springs Road, Ringgold, GA 30736

RECENT HISTORY

Since their inception, the Generals have followed Coach James' plan and increased their win total each season, though a playoff appearance has eluded them. Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:

2011 -------(7)

2010 -----(5)

2009 -(1)

2008 (0)

2007 Did not play

THREE STRENGTHS

1) Coach James calls this team the most physical he's coached at Heritage, a facet of the game needed in the Generals' power offense.

2) If he stays healthy, senior running back Ketwun Burns will give the Generals a speed threat they haven't had. After a promising start to his sophomore season, the 5-foot-8, 170-pounder has been frequently injured.

3) The Generals were a trendy pick at this time last year to make the playoffs. Expectations outside the program aren't as high this year, something James hopes his team notices and uses for motivation.

THREE CONCERNS

1) After graduating 31 members from the first full senior class in school history, the Generals lack depth more than anything. The lines are strong, according to James, but early-season depth is a concern.

2) The Heritage special teams have been a strength in recent seasons, but the graduation of star kicker/punter Dustin Lewis may be felt early and often.

3) Where are the big plays? The Generals were efficient offensively a year ago, scoring 30 or more points four times, but a lack of big plays hurt them in their three close losses.

THREE QUESTIONS WITH JORDAN LILES

(Senior linebacker)

Q: You graduated a ton of seniors last year. What kind of challenge does that present?

A: We had a lot of juniors last year that can fill in. We've got healthy competition in camp, and that's a good thing for this team.

Q: Is there one early game that stands out that could help send this team on to a strong season?

A: Ringgold. Obviously, it's the first game of the year and it's a big rivalry. It's going to come down to which team is in better shape and which one wants it more. It's a good rivalry in that they are 10 minutes down the road, but it's not a hateful rivalry. We match up really well against them, and it's going to be a good game.

Q: What would it mean to be on the first Heritage team to make the playoffs?

A: It would be a huge accomplishment for this senior class. It's my last shot, so it would be great. To get there we have to work hard every single day and not take plays off, which did happen to us some last year.


ROSTER

1 Blake Burch - Sophomore

2 Ketwun Burns - Senior

3 C.J. Rutledge - Sophomore

4 Brandon Dorn - Sophomore

5 Hunter Faulknor - Senior

6 Tyler Pendygraft - Sophomore

7 Colby Chattin - Senior

8 Jordan Liles - Senior

9 Austin Greene - Sophomore

10 Damian Goins - Junior

11 Richard Chang - Senior

12 Seth Hickman - Junior

13 Jared Morris - Senior

14 Jacob Carter - Senior

16 Blaine Loveless - Sophomore

17 Zack Ellis - Junior

18 Dylan Bice - Freshman

20 Cory Hemphill - Sophomore

21 Tyler Childers - Sophomore

22 Grant Gunter - Sophomore

23 Brady Samples - Junior

24 Hunter Talley - Senior

25 Colby Wood - Junior

27 Hayden Quarles - Sophomore

29 James Horton - Senior

30 Cody Youngblood - Junior

32 Justin Mock - Junior

33 Nick Thurman - Sophomore

34 Blaine Bird - Sophomore

43 Adrian Gonzalez - Senior

45 Caleb Dietz - Senior

47 Levi Coker - Senior

48 Devin Dean - Sophomore

50 Austin Melton - Junior

51 C.J. Bendall - Sophomore

52 Austin Crane - Junior

53 Zack Keaton - Junior

54 Rodney Clayton - Senior

55 Dillon Sisk - Junior

56 Austin Alexander - Sophomore

57 David Besh - Sophomore

58 Caleb Waldrep - Junior

59 Jonathon Keown - Junior

60 Justin Pettit - Senior

61 Luke Britton - Sophomore

62 Moses Guzman - Junior

63 Devin Burkhart - Junior

64 Jacob Riggs - Sophomore

65 Will Pettigrew - Sophomore

66 Chandler Faragali - Junior

67 Ryan Deason - Junior

68 Bryce Honeycutt - Senior

70 Andrew Morton - Sophomore

71 Tyler Harris - Senior

72 Michael Moore - Senior

73 Caleb Ernsberger - Junior

74 Trey Sherrill - Senior

75 Justin Locke - Sophomore

77 Will Holcomb - Senior

78 Isaac Miller - Sophomore

79 Josh Perry - Junior

80 Christian King - Sophomore

81 Daniel Ford - Sophomore

82 Blake Burris - Sophomore

88 Jefferson Freitas - Sophomore

93 Adam Alhyege - Freshman

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