Region 7-AA // Magic Morgan Stadium, 300 Tradition Lane, Trenton, GA 30752
At the helm
Bradley Warren
(42-53 in nine years here; 101-97 overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Wolverines return 7 off., 6 def. starters
Super powers
Experience is the biggest difference from a year ago, when only six starters returned from a playoff team. There is continuity and physicality in the backfield, where QB Greg Templeton and RBs Malaki Webb, Lee Spencer and Trey Whitehead all return in the wing-T attack.
Possible kryptonite
While several starters return, the Wolverines are thin, especially along the lines. If injuries hit in the trenches or any of the two-way starters, the season could be a long one. Tackling has been a major focus of summer work. The Wolverines aren't blessed with much overall team speed, so making sure of open-field stops is a must in a region featuring several strong rushing attacks.
Spidey sense tingling
Region 7-AA was strong a year ago, but some regression is possible, putting the Wolverines among the discussion to return to the postseason. The team more than held its own during summer camp work, most of which was conducted against higher-classification programs.
Here I come to save the day!
Templeton (DE), Spencer (LB) and Whitehead (SS) also form the core of a defense that Coach Warren expects to show major improvement this year. Sophomore Webb, who has surprising power at 5-11, 170, had a sensational start to his prep career last year before being sidelined with injury.
Up, up and away!
In a region full of teams loaded with athletic ability, the Wolverines are a different breed.
Warren's team, as it has in his previous eight seasons in Trenton, will win or lose based on a philosophy of outworking, outhitting and outlasting its opponent.
There are no fancy schemes, only a group of players who understand the game plan.
"We feel we're tougher than anybody we play," WB/LB Lee Spencer said after a midsummer full-pads camp. "We have to be more physical than other teams and we take pride in it."
Dade County was a playoff team in 2015, but heavy graduation losses (only six starters returned) and untimely injuries led to a 3-7 season. With most of that team back after a strong offseason of conditioning, there is renewed hope of making it back to the postseason.
"We knew last year was going to be tough because we had to play so many first-time starters," Warren said. "Now most of those guys are back, and we expect to take a step forward. We've had a good summer, and the guys have really competed."
If that is to translate into wins, especially in a loaded region led by 2016 league champion Pepperell and athletic playoff teams Rockmart, Model and Chattooga, the Wolverines will have to rely on their physical style of play. That starts up front, where Austin Riley (6-7, 280), Tyler King (6-4, 310) and Noah Brown (6-1, 270) will pave the way in the wing-T attack.
"Both of our lines should be a lot better this year," said quarterback Greg Templeton, who also plays on the defensive line. "We were just really young in the lines last year, and at times we struggled. We've worked hard to get back in the playoffs.
"With the guys we have back, there's no reason we can't be in the top four."
2016 Results
Aug. 18 Gordon Lee lost, 42-18
Aug. 26 North Sand Mountain won, 32-30
Sep. 2 Trion lost, 42-7
Sep. 16 Model lost, 35-13
Sep. 23 Rockmart lost, 42-0
Sep. 30 Gordon Central won, 55-35
Oct. 14 Coosa lost, 21-7
Oct. 21 Pepperell lost, 49-7
Oct. 28 Chattooga lost, 45-21
Nov. 4 Armuchee won, 27-14
3-7, 2-5 Region 7-AA
2017 Schedule
(All times 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 18 Gordon Lee
Aug. 25 at North Sand Mountain
Sep. 1 Trion
Sep. 15 Model
Sep. 22 at Rockmart
Sep. 29 Gordon Central
Oct. 13 at Coosa
Oct. 20 Pepperell
Oct. 27 at Chattooga
Nov. 3 at Armuchee
Region 7-AA games in bold