Prep Football Preview: Chattanooga Christian Chargers

Coach Mark Mariakis talks to his team, who are wearing "guardian caps" over their helmets, during the Chargers' football scrimmage at Chattanooga Christian School on Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Guardian caps, which are used to mitigate the effects of concussions and blows to the head in football, are seeing increased use as concerns about head injuries in the sport rise.
Coach Mark Mariakis talks to his team, who are wearing "guardian caps" over their helmets, during the Chargers' football scrimmage at Chattanooga Christian School on Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Guardian caps, which are used to mitigate the effects of concussions and blows to the head in football, are seeing increased use as concerns about head injuries in the sport rise.

Division II-AA East // Chargers Stadium, 3354 Charger Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37409

At the helm

Mark Mariakis

(5-5 in one year here; 95-89 overall)

Heroes assemble!

The Chargers return 5 off., 7 def. starters.

Super powers

While the Chargers are waiting for some young players to develop, at least they believe they can count on some game-tested OL and LBs to steady things in the early going. And if team closeness counts for anything, Mariakis said they have a high degree of that.

Possible kryptonite

Overall team speed isn't great, but there are ways to counteract that. What CCS really needs is for its youthful players to make great progress in the first month, because five of its last six games are Division II-AA East Region matchups and the other is against DII-AAA's Baylor.

Spidey sense tingling

The Chargers were winless in their region a year ago, but they no longer play in that league. The key to success in their new region will be determined largely by their play in the back half of the season. But the challenge to remain confident while waiting to get there will get a stern test right away, because they open at DII-AAA's McCallie.

Here I come to save the day!

If junior RB/OLB Mondo Ellison (6-1, 200) can stay healthy (he missed the last seven games a year ago), he can be a force. Big things are expected from two seniors named Gaines - one with the first name Ian at RB or ILB, and one with the last name Tallent at OLB.

Up, up and away!

Mariakis has a problem at QB this season. And he's quite pleased about it.

His problem dates back to spring practice, which is when he began trying to decide which one should start.

Senior Dylan Clark has gotten a chance to run the wing-T offense, and so has has freshman Sam Hall. Sophomore transfer Jeff Weisel got some looks there, too.

Clark has played WR and OLB in his CCS career, but never QB. He was approached by Mariakis to give it a try.

"I like it," Clark said. "I like being able to lead the offense and line up everyone. It's a big transition from defense."

Conversely, Hall quarterbacked CCS all through middle school, throwing 22 touchdown passes one season.

"He's shown his experience," Hall said of Clark. "Coming out of middle school, the game now is on a whole different level. He's kind of helped me get my game up to that level a little more."

Hall said Weisel has the best throwing arm of the three, and Clark agreed.

"If we ran a spread offense," Clark said, "he'd be the guy."

Instead, either Clark or Hall will be the guy in the beginning, although Mariakis said he wasn't opposed to using a two-QB system.

"We just need somebody that can manage the game and make something happen when we need it," Mariakis said. "I feel real good about any of them getting the job done, whoever's in there."

2016 Results

Aug.. 19 Brainerd won, 37-27

Aug. 26 Lookout Valley won, 35-0

Sep. 2 Notre Dame lost, 53-7

Sep. 9 Davidson Academy won, 14-7

Sep. 16 Signal Mountain lost, 22-21

Sep. 30 Howard lost, 14-7

Oct. 7 Copper Basin won, 55-0

Oct. 14 Red Bank lost, 47-0

Oct. 21 Grace Academy won, 42-14

Oct. 28 East Ridge lost, 39-28

5-5, 0-5 Region 3-3A

2017 Schedule

(All times 7:30 Eastern)

Aug. 18 at McCallie

Aug. 25 Howard, 7

Sep. 1 at Silverdale Baptist

Sep. 8 Lookout Valley, 7

Sep. 15 at Christian Acad. of Knoxville, 7

Sep. 22 Baylor, 7

Sep. 29 at Boyd-Buchanan

Oct. 13 Knoxville Webb, 7

Oct. 20 at Notre Dame

Oct. 27 Knoxville Grace Christian, 7

Division II-AA East games in bold

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