Coming off the most successful year by far in program history, Ringgold has to replace the most productive player in program history. This isn’t just about finding a way to reproduce Slade Dale’s remarkable 2013 season – which included 3,206 total yards and 42 touchdowns – but about spreading that responsibility around to a number of capable playmakers.
For this year’s Tigers that all starts in the backfield, where seniors Kile Sholl and D.L. Goins form the most dangerous duo in northwest Georgia. The two combined for 1,600 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns last year. And in the line, Ringgold has size and experience in guys such as Hunter Sosebee (6-7, 245) and Bryan Derben (6-foot, 270). New quarterback Devin Lancaster isn’t near the runner Dale was, but he has a stronger arm and could change the way defenses attack the Tigers.
“Having Kile and D.L. back is a big thing for us in replacing Slade’s yards,” coach Robert Akins said. “Devin is making progress and he does things differently. He’s a baseball pitcher who can throw about 88 miles per hour, so he can get the football down the field. With our backs and line we feel people are going to have to defend the run first, so some opportunities should open up in the air.”
That, Sholl believes, will be the key in whether this team will be just good or great offensively.
“We’ve always been run-first and we should be hard to stop this year, but I think teams are going to try to take that away this year and make us prove we can pass,” said Sholl, who was the team’s leading receiver last year with 639 yards. “I think that will give us some chances to go downfield and make big plays and loosen teams up.”