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TRION BULLDOGS
Head coach: Sean Patrick (13-9 here and overall)
Returning starters: 4 offensive; 6 defensive
Last year's record: 10-2 overall, lost in GHSA Class A public second round
Key players: Kade Smith (5-9, 170) So. QB, Ezra Adams (6-3, 280) Jr. OL, Logan Eller (6-0, 205) Sr. RB/LB, Toby Maddux (5-10, 175) Jr. WR/RB/DB, Lucas Stoker (6-0, 205) Sr. LB, Clay Chesley (6-0, 170) Sr. DB, Cohen Blaschke (5-10, 180) Jr. DE/LB
Season outlook: The headliner of last year's team was 2,600-yard rusher Rob Brown, who parlayed his huge season, which included more than 40 touchdowns, into a scholarship at Kennesaw State University.
Even Brown, though, would admit the real stars played in front of him, a group of seven linemen (including two huge tight ends) who regularly bullied opposing defensive fronts. The tough news for Coach Patrick this year is that, along with Brown, six of those seven linemen are gone.
It's a tough situation considering GHSA realignment has the Bulldogs in Region 7-A (Division I), a group of Class AA teams from a year ago in addition to private school Darlington.
"We made great strides in the offseason up front, and I'm excited about this group," Patrick said. "Making it tougher is that our region has gotten tougher. We'll be playing teams almost twice as big as us, but it will be good football."
Adams is the clear leader up front and gives the Bulldogs a dominating presence. Among the newcomers alongside him will be Collier Gable, Colby Evans, Brock Payton, Dex Cargle and sophomore tight end Logan Stokes (6-4, 210).
The skill group is still strong, led by Smith, who had a great offseason in Patrick's view. Eller takes over as the featured back - and at 205 pounds can continue the team's power run game - and will be joined by the speedy Maddux.
Eller will also be a featured player on defense, where he's been moved to linebacker, part of a group that includes two-time all-region player Stoker and Chesley, a defensive back a year ago.
"We lost some interior guys from last year, but we feel good about this defense," Patrick said. "Creating continuity up front and being consistent there on both sides will be a big key for us."