GORDON LEE TROJANS
Head coach: Josh Groce (4-6 in one year here and overall)
Returning starters: 8 offensive; 9 defensive
Key players: RB/DB Brody Cobb (6-2, 197); RB/LB Cody Thomas (6-0, 214); RB Cade Peterson (6-0, 180); QB Blake Groce (6-1, 151); WR Jacob Neal (6-0, 169); DL Gabe Kirkendoll (6-3, 218).
Team strengths: There is experience everywhere and rare depth for a Class A team. Few north Georgia small schools can turn to a better backfield than the Trojans, who have game-breaking runners in Cobb, Peterson and Thomas.
Team concerns: Key injuries, especially on offense, short-circuited the Trojans last year after a 2-0 start in Coach Groce's debut season. In six of the final seven games, they scored more than 10 points only once, and with several two-way players sidelined, the defense also suffered.
Breakout candidate: It's not uncommon for a coach to count on a fast player to carry the "breakout" mantra, but when a fast lineman makes the list, it's news. However, when you run a wing-T offense and the guys up front rely on athleticism as much as size, you have linemen like Cameron Oliver (5-9, 186), who is the third-fastest player on the team.
Season outlook: A win over Mount Pisgah Christian in the Region 6-A crossover game in the final week of the 2019 regular season was, at the time, thought to be a breakthrough victory that would put the Trojans into the playoffs. However, due to other results and the GHSA's power ratings (which will no longer be used), they missed out.
The victory, though, proved to be the kick-start to what Groce and his staff believe could be a memorable 2020 on the field.
"We ended the season on a high note, though we were disappointed in not making the playoffs," Groce said. "They've carried that momentum and motivation into this year, and they believe this could be something special."
That belief is grounded in two factors, with the biggest a group of playmakers - led by 1,000-yard rusher Peterson and potential 1,000-yard rusher Cobb - who should keep the Trojans in any game. The other is that Gordon Lee is now part of a true public school Class A region after GHSA reclassification.
"It's very exciting for the kids," Groce said. "I don't think they ever looked at the private school games as ones they couldn't win, but this gives them an equal chance to compete every year."
Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / Cade Peterson is one of several talented runners who will make Gordon Lee's wing-T offense go this season.