Region 6A-A // Billy Neil Ellis Stadium/Bobby Chappell Field, 105 Lee Circle, Chickamauga, GA 30707
At the helm
Greg Ellis
(48-51 in nine years here and overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Trojans return 3 off., 6 def. starters.
Super powers
Having a seasoned QB is always a strength, and Gordon Lee looks to senior Austin Thompson to lead the offense again this year. Thompson has matured throughout this past year, gaining more passing accuracy as well as working to become a rushing threat.
Possible kryptonite
Gordon Lee lacks depth in key positions. While Braden Jarvis at RB and Thompson at QB are important and experienced returners, positions on both the offensive and defensive fronts have young guys looking to gain experience this year.
Spidey sense tingling
Gordon Lee needs to improve its league success after going 2-5 in the region in 2016. To do that the team as a whole needs to remain healthy, according to Ellis. As with most teams and particularly those at small schools, the Trojans' expectations will go down if they lose a few starters to injuries.
Here I come to save the day!
Even though 2016 standout RB Drew Cobb graduated, don't expect the team to be hurting in the running game. Braden Jarvis finished the 2016 season with nearly 1,000 yards, and fellow senior Harrison Moore will look to share the load as solid replacements for Cobb. Behind the line, the defense is full of experience with both Jarvis and Moore as well as senior Caleb Vines at LB and junior Hunter Hodson at DB.
Up, up and away!
Ellis said the atmosphere on and off the field at Gordon Lee has been better than in recent years, at least partly due to the return of defensive coordinator Josh Groce, who has been coaching at Trion for the past five years.
"I think Coach Groce coming back has made a big difference in the (players') attitude and work ethic," Ellis said. "We have missed him. I have tried to get him for three years, but we never had an opening, so finally it worked."
Ellis said Groce brings the most out of the guys on the field and in the weight room. And the defensive coordinator will have a plethora of two-way players at LB and DB, with five returning starters.
"(Players) respond well to him, and they have seen the success that he was able to have at Trion," Ellis said. "It's a great fit for all of us."
With only three returning starters on offense, coordinator Todd Windham will have a lot of room for growth throughout the 2017 season. But with experienced talent at RB and at QB, developing a line group that works together will be the key.
2016 Results
Aug. 19 Dade County won, 42-28
Sep. 2 LaFayette won, 35-20
Sep. 9 at Lakeview-F.O. won, 51-24
Sep. 16 Darlington lost, 42-20
Sep. 23 at Christian Heritage won, 49-26
Sep. 30 Bowdon lost, 31-21
Oct. 7 at Mount Zion lost, 42-7
Oct. 21 at North Cobb Christian won, 42-6
Oct. 28 at Trion lost, 42-14
Nov. 4 Walker lost, 28-14
5-5, 2-5 6A-A
2017 Schedule
(All times 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 18 at Dade County
Sep. 1 at Lafayette
Sep. 8 Lakeview-F.O.
Sep. 15 at Darlington
Sep. 22 Christian Heritage
Sep. 29 at Bowdon
Oct. 6 Mount Zion-Carroll
Oct. 20 North Cobb Christian
Oct. 27 Trion
Nov. 3 region crossover