Dalton Catamounts
Coach: Matt Land (19-14 in three seasons here and overall)
Last year: 8-4, 4-1 in 7B-AAAA; lost 35-13 to Sandy Creek in the second round of the playoffs
'13 dreams: The second half of last season featured a revival of the proud Dalton program, including an upset of Atlanta's Carver in the playoffs. The Catamounts hope to carry that over to this season, but Land and his experienced coaching staff will have to replace some key losses. Payton Veraldi or Jase Chastain needs to step forward at quarterback and produce right away, but there's also need for a new fullback, two wideouts, a tight end and a center. Dalton's run game is in good hands, though, with speedy tailback Kelvis Rhodes and elite lineman Jake Roberts.
13-for-13 contenders: Rhodes is the kind of home-run hitter who keeps defensive coordinators up at night, though he needs to stay healthy. Junior Eder Mora, a returning all-state player, is a ball hawk who likely will move around all over the field. Senior linebacker Lyle Durham is a physical presence in the middle of the field, while cornerback Chris Childs has had a great offseason, according to Land
Number of interest: 19 - Region championships for the Catamounts since 1964, but only one since 1998.
13 years ago: Dalton was in a transition year in 2000, going 7-4 in Bill McManus' final season. Longtime former assistant coach Ronnie McClurg took over the next season and took the team to the Class AAAA championship game and would win 63 games in six seasons.
Program superstition: The Catamounts have been wearing their trademark red sport coats on game days, a tradition started by legendary coach Bill Chappell in the mid-1960s. According to Land, a former Dalton player, the coats are more about promoting a team atmosphere than looking snazzy.
1-through-3: Senior linebacker Lyle Durham
Q. This program has been going away to camp for decades. What's the biggest benefit from getting away together to prepare for the season?
A. Aside from the emphasis on getting things done on the field, it's as much about team building since we can't practice as much as we used to due to GHSA regulations. We really leave camp a lot closer.
Q. Your team ended last year on a high note. Does that carry over to this year and how much?
A. It's hard to explain what happened, but we just pulled together last year and we finally had the same goal as a team. We've got a good core back from that team, so we should pick right back up.
Q. What is the difference in Dalton winning the region or not making the playoffs this year?
A. The little things are big with us. We've gotten so much done this summer that the small things will now be the biggest difference in how we do this year.
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 Ringgold
Sep. 6 at Calhoun
Sep. 20 Gilmer County
Sep. 27 at Cass
Oct. 4 Ridgeland*
Oct. 11 at Northwest Whitfield*
Oct. 18 LaFayette*
Oct. 25 at Heritage*
Nov. 1 Southeast Whitfield*
Nov. 8 Region play-in
*Region 7B-AAAA game
2012 Stats
Passing C-A-I Pct. Yards TDs
Cole Calfee 65-138-10 47% 1,068 9
Rushing Att. Yards TDs
Kelvis Rhodes 229 1,529 18
Cole Calfee 63 286 6
Eder Mora 29 235 2
Receiving No. Yards Tds
Brandon Dale 41 771 11
Brandon Painter 6 111 0
Roster
1 Kevin Nguyen Senior
2 Nathan Bryant Senior
3 Mykel Alexander Sophomore
4 Elijah Stidmon Senior
5 Lyle Durham Senior
7 Chris Childs Senior
8 Zek Cobb Freshman
9 Isai Hernandez Sophomore
10 Jase Chastain Sophomore
11 Eder Mora Junior
12 Charlie Martin Junior
13 Peter Sigmon Junior
14 Kiko Rodriguez Junior
16 Travis Nielson Sophomore
17 Cody Edwards Junior
18 Jacob Bartoo Senior
19 Payton Veraldi Junior
21 Kelvis Rhodes Junior
22 Jordan McKinney Sophomore
23 Austin Mills Sophomore
24 Gerardo Perez Senior
25 Tyler Noland Sophomore
26 Nathaniel Mays Sophomore
27 Ramon Ornelas Sophomore
29 Shaw Richardson Sophomore
30 Logan Pender Sophomore
31 Bridge Blakely Sophomore
32 Wyatt Erwin Sophomore
34 Tucker Sumner Freshman
35 Fernando Hernandez Sophomore
37 Devonte Davis Senior
38 D'Andre Massey Sophomore
39 Chipper Elrod Junior
40 Josh Moreno Sophomore
41 David Rockholt Sophomore
42 Cade Keylon Junior
44 Jay Rockholt Senior
46 Bradley Roberts Sophomore
48 Chase Westfall Junior
52 Jarrel Darville Sophomore
53 Grant Sane Senior
54 Jordan Keener Senior
55 Hayden Gross Junior
56 Uriel Perez Junior
60 Dakota Tankersley Senior
62 Daniel Hurtado Junior
63 Jesus Rodriguez Sophomore
64 Andrew Williams Sophomore
65 Evan Stuart Junior
66 Jake Myers Sophomore
68 Juan Pacheco Senior
69 Jake Roberts Senior
70 Warner Braun Junior
71 Logan Mathis Junior
73 Neff Guerrero Sophomore
74 Christopher Breton Sophomore
75 Chris Hicks Junior
76 Connor Cohran Sophomore
77 Tommy Ridley Junior
78 Evan Pope Junior
80 Fransico Calderon Junior
81 Tyler Britton Junior
84 Matt Hamilton Junior
85 Maklain Lawson Junior
86 Chase Todd Senior
87 Eribeth Martinez Senior
88 Rodrick Davidson Senior
90 Cristian Ortiz Junior
94 Salvador Alejandre Senior
95 Miguel Flores Senior
96 Jordan Long Sophomore
97 Paul Abzun Junior
99 Pepe' Gardea Senior