Calhoun excited by challenge of finding new playmakers

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Calhoun junior running back Caden Williams is a college prospect who will be counted on to help carry an offense replacing most of its starters this year.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Calhoun junior running back Caden Williams is a college prospect who will be counted on to help carry an offense replacing most of its starters this year.

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CALHOUN YELLOW JACKETS

Head coach: Clay Stephenson (31-9 here and overall)

Returning starters: 3 offensive; 2 defensive

Last year's record: 12-3 overall, lost in GHSA Class AAAAA title game

Key players: Caden Williams (5-11, 195) Jr. RB, Emaree Winston (6-3, 230) So. TE/DE, Brody Balliew (6-5, 275) Sr. OL, Nathan Fuller (5-10, 175) Sr. LB, Christian Bell (6-2, 220) Jr. OL, Cam Curtis (6-1, 185) Sr. WR/DB, Dustin Kerns (5-10, 180) Sr. WR/DB, Trey Townsend (6-3, 200) Jr. QB

Season outlook: Logic would say the mood should be a tad gloomy around a football team facing the reality of replacing the players responsible for nearly 6,000 yards of offense and more than 90% of its tackles last year. That, however, is not the case for a Calhoun team coming off a state runner-up finish.

Stephenson, despite the challenges of replacing one of the most productive classes in the elite program's history, admits there's a renewed energy in the locker room and coaches' office in large part due to the task ahead.

"It's tough. We were so good with guys who had started for three or four years, but it's been fun," Stephenson said. "It will be a work in progress, for sure, but we've had a good time as a coaching staff and the players know there are opportunities out there. With so many guys who graduated, it makes it fun again."

Gone are three-year starting quarterback Christian Lewis and dangerous playmakers Cole Speer, Quin Smith, Peyton Law, Brendan Gray and Gage Leonard, as well as line anchors Kendrick Kirby and Jace Warren. The cupboard, though, is far from bare.

The strong-armed Townsend, a guy Stephenson said "eats, sleeps and breathes football," gives the Jackets the ability to stretch the field. Williams, a bruising runner with Football Bowl Subdivision offers, will keep defenses honest. Curtis, Kerns and super sophomore Winston will give Townsend ample outside weapons, while Furman-committed Balliew will lead the line.

Most of those guys will play both ways, meaning health could very well determine how far the Jackets go in their reloading season.

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