Prep Football Preview: Chattooga Indians

Chattooga coach Charles Hammon led the Indians to the Class AA state quarterfinals last season, but he must replace nine starters on offense and seven on defense.
Chattooga coach Charles Hammon led the Indians to the Class AA state quarterfinals last season, but he must replace nine starters on offense and seven on defense.

Region 7-AA // Little Big Horn Stadium, 989 Highway 114, Summerville, GA 30747

At the helm

Charles Hammon

(19-16 in three years here; 23-42 overall)

Heroes assemble!

The Indians return 2 off., 5 def. starters.

Super powers

If the Indians are to return to the playoffs after the most successful season in program history, it will be because of their defense and a newfound confidence borne from winning a pair of playoff games. Also, despite heavy graduation losses, there is ample depth, so much so that Hammon intends to two platoon. In a region where most teams have several two-way starters, that could be an edge late in the season for the Indians.

Possible kryptonite

Where will the yards come from? For the first time in four years, terrific twins Isaiah and Isaac Foster won't be terrorizing defenses in northwest Georgia. Even worse, only one lineman returns, though he's a good one - college prospect Dustin Pope (6-5, 300). A nonregion schedule that includes Dawson County and Ridgeland, higher-classification teams that reached the playoffs a year ago, could be a learning experience.

Spidey sense tingling

After getting a taste of postseason success for the first time, the Indians are hungry for more, but can such huge graduation losses be overcome? The good news for Hammon and Co. is the success of the past few seasons has brought increased participation within the program, so most of the new starters will have had some playing time.

Here I come to save the day!

Previously known as one of the better Ks in the area, senior C.J. Martin will see his role greatly expand this season as he takes over at QB. He brings a strong arm to the position, and at his size (6-2, 220), he can gain tough yards on option keepers. Hammon has also discovered a trio of playmakers to go with him in Devin Price, Dee Price and Jamarious Mostellar.

Up, up and away!

T.J. Adams has been a problem this summer for the Indians. In fact, he has caused so many problems during practice, Hammon often pulls him off the field.

It seems Hammon and his offensive coaching staff have had enough of the 5-foot-8, 300-pound defensive tackle's exploits - but not in a negative way. Adams has been so dominant in practice that, well, he's making it hard to get anything accomplished.

"Listen, we have to sit him out of practice a lot because we can't get our work in," Hammon said with a laugh. "Honestly, we don't have two guys that can block him, and that's not saying anything bad about our offensive linemen."

Offensive coordinator David Gann said looks can be deceiving when it comes to Adams.

"You look at his size and you think he's built like I am, but his legs are bigger than his waist," Gann said. "He's got great leverage and such lower-body strength that he just doesn't get moved. And he's much quicker than you would think. This summer he's been unblockable."

The defense will have to lead the way early while the young offense gets its bearings. Hammon, for one, believes the unit is more than ready for the challenge.

"We've had a lot of guys who have been standouts," he said. "Quintell Price and Luis Medina on the line with T.J., Malachi Mack and Jackson Lowenberg at outside 'backer, Troy Worsham in the middle and Montavius Shropshire in the backfield have been great.

"These guys could be special. We always set a goal to win one more than we did last year, which will be a feat to behold with all the young guys. Still, we don't set goals that are unreachable, and these guys believe they should do it."

2016 Results

Aug. 25 Cedar Bluff won, 49-7

Sep. 2 Dawson County lost, 30-8

Sep. 9 Ridgeland lost, 48-7

Sep. 16 Coosa won, 48-14

Sep. 23 Gordon Central won, 63-8

Sep. 30 Rockmart lost, 17-10

Oct. 14 Model won, 31-7

Oct. 21 Armuchee won, 28-8

Oct. 28 Dade County won, 45-21

Nov. 4 Pepperell lost, 35-10

Nov. 11 Lamar County won, 44-14 (first round)

Nov. 18 Washington County won, 38-7 (second round)

Nov. 25 Hapeville Charter lost 30-21,

(quarterfinals)

8-4, 5-2 in Region 7-AA

2017 Schedule

(All times 7:30 Eastern)

Aug. 25 Fort Payne

Sep. 1 at Dawson County

Sep. 8 at Ridgeland

Sep. 15 Coosa

Sep. 22 at Gordon Central

Sep. 29 Rockmart

Oct. 13 at Model

Oct. 20 at Armuchee

Oct. 27 Dade County

Nov. 3 Pepperell

Region 7-AA games in bold

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