LOOKOUT VALLEY YELLOW JACKETS
Head coach: David Dinger (25-36 overall)
Returning starters: 6 offensive, 6 defensive
Key players: OT/DT Rylan Chandler (5-8, 191), TE/DE Truston Everette (6-3, 210), FB/LB Tanner Hoge (5-10, 200), QB/CB Zane Howard (5-9, 140), OG/LB Gavin Slaven (5-10, 245).
Team strengths: The size and depth along the defensive line are as good as they’ve ever been for the Yellow Jackets. There are a couple of transfers who have mixed well with the returners to help that unit average around 220 pounds.
“We’ve got good height up there, and all of those guys can really move, too,” Dinger said. “We’re as good there as I can remember.”
Team concerns: Although the Jackets have a quality starting backfield, there isn’t much depth behind them. Each of the ball carriers will also play a lot of snaps in the secondary, so keeping them healthy will be a huge key to the season.
Newcomers to watch: There’s no shortage of new guys who could become major contributors. Dylan Anderson (5-11, 300) and Keith Sanders (6-3, 240) will be heavily counted on in both the offensive and defensive lines, while Austin Ferguson (6-1, 175) and Travis Qualls (5-10, 170) will start in the secondary and get chances to carry the ball on offense.
Season outlook: Despite having a different head coach since last season, little will change as far as the staff’s approach to the game. Dinger, who was an assistant last year, takes over at his alma mater for a third time after Lance Rorex – last season’s head coach – requested to go back to being an assistant. Rorex, who is also the school’s baseball coach, did an admirable job last fall and remains on the staff.
The game of musical chairs wasn’t limited to the coaching staff, as the Jackets also rotate in several new players to blend with the six starters back on both sides of the ball.
“We’ve got some kids coming back that we really like a lot and some new guys who are capable of stepping in and helping us right away,” Dinger said. “It’s the same story as always for most small schools, though. We absolutely have to stay healthy.”
Although he’s slightly built, Howard is a good passer and one of the fastest runners on the team. He’s also a three-year starter, so his leadership will be counted on to help all the pieces fit together.
“We had some games we could’ve won last year that got away from us because of turnovers,” Dinger said. “We’ve got seven teams on our schedule that we’re right there with and could go either way. Those are the games we can’t afford to hurt ourselves with turnovers.
“Stay healthy and don’t beat ourselves, and we have a shot at having a good season.”