Region 6-AAAA // Sims Field, 3960 Poplar Springs Road, Ringgold, GA 30736
At the helm
E.K. Slaughter
(17-15 in three years here; 50-52 overall)
Heroes assemble!
The Generals return 8 off., 9 def. starters.
Super powers
There's experience everywhere returning from last season's eight-win playoff team, and no team in northwest Georgia returns a set of WRs like the Generals' Ryan Carter, Luke Grant and Carson Sherrill. Throw in the versatile backfield duo of Malik Dumas and Lavarius Hood plus a solid front, and Slaughter's fourth season could be the program's most explosive yet.
Possible kryptonite
The defense, even with nine starters returning, has to take a step forward if Heritage is to challenge offensive juggernauts Ridgeland and Northwest Whitfield for the Region 6-AAAA title. Those two scored 56 and 41 on the Generals a year ago, when they also gave up 30 or more points in four other games.
Spidey sense tingling
Talk at camp is no longer about just striving to make the playoffs. This team is aiming for a region title and has the parts to do it. The biggest key, Slaughter said, is for key players to stay healthy, because depth is an issue.
Here I come to save the day!
Four-year starter Grant is a leader on both sides of the ball and rarely comes off the field. He can turn short passes into big gains, usually takes on the opposing offense's best receiver and is dynamic on kick and punt returns. If the Generals are to attain their goals this year, much will be asked of MLBs Jeffrey Curtis and Zaine Burton, two players who will be charged with shoring up the run defense.
Up, up and away!
Slaughter is breaking in a new QB for the first time in his tenure at Heritage, and in his fast-paced, pass-first spread attack, that's a big deal.
The graduated Corbee Wilson was the prototypical spread QB: quick with his decisions, accurate and able to extend plays if needed. Slaughter doesn't expect senior Blake Bryan to replicate Wilson's numbers, but he also doesn't believe the two-sport star (he's committed to Carson-Newman to play baseball) will hold the offense back. In fact, the veteran coach said defenses will have to account for Bryan's athletic ability and not just sell out for the pass.
"He's going to be pretty dynamic," said Slaughter, who also praised the work of backup Brody Campbell and freshman Nick Hanson. "Blake's made some nice plays this summer, and it's going to be even better when we can put everything together. He's a good athlete and has a nice arm.
"We feel really good about our quarterback position. Of course, you're going to miss a Corbee Wilson, but this offense should be just fine, and we have complete confidence in Blake."
Confidence has been the key word in preseason practices after last year's first playoff appearance and win in program history.
"It let our guys understand that this is where we belong and this is what we can do," Slaughter said of last November's 37-30 upset at Stephens County. "These guys who have been with us four years have been used to winning, and I think the playoff win just gave them confidence."
2016 Results
Aug. 19 Lakeview-Fort O. won, 38-0
Aug. 26 Ringgold lost, 40-34 (OT)
Sep. 2 Coahulla Creek won, 47-7
Sep. 9 North Murray won, 31-16
Sep. 23 Gilmer won, 31-13
Sep. 30 SE Whitfield won, 47-10
Oct. 7 NW Whitfield lost, 41-34
Oct. 14 Ridgeland lost, 56-14
Oct. 21 LaFayette won, 47-21
Nov. 4 Pickens won, 48-35
Nov. 11 Stephens County won, 37-30 (first round)
Nov. 18 Mary Persons lost, 38-21 (second round)
8-4, 4-2 Region 6-AAAA
2017 Schedule
(All times 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 18 at Lakeview-Fort O
Aug. 25 Ringgold
Sep. 1 Coahulla Creek
Sep. 8 at North Murray
Sep. 22 at Gilmer
Sep. 29 Southeast Whitfield
Oct. 6 at Northwest Whitfield
Oct. 13 Ridgeland
Oct. 20 at LaFayette
Nov. 3 Pickens
Region 6-AAAA games in bold