BY THE NUMBERS8 - Returning offensive starters for the newly installed Pistol no-huddle attack, including four linemen.5 - New assistant coaches on the LFO staff, including offensive coordinator Houston White and a familiar last name for one of the new defensive coaches, Josh Mariakis.29 - Wins against Catoosa County rival Ringgold, the most against any other program. However, the 34 losses to the Tigers also are the most versus any other program.SCHEDULEAug. 31 at Gordon LeeSep. 7 at HeritageSep. 14 Dade CountySep. 21 AdairsvilleSep. 28 Gordon Central*Oct. 5 at Cartersville*Oct. 19 at Coahulla Creek*Oct. 26 at North Murray*Nov. 2 Ringgold*Nov. 9 Sonoraville** Region 5-AAA game
LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE WARRIORS
Coach: Todd Windham (17-34 in five years here, 56-89 in 14 overall)
Stadium: Tommy Cash Stadium
Address: 1850 Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
RECENT HISTORY
Since the John Allen years of the early 2000s the Warriors have struggled to find consistency, twice going winless while also making the playoffs in 2009. Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:
2011 ----(4)
2010 (0)
2009 -------(7)
2008 ----(4)
2007 --(2)
THREE STRENGTHS
1) A new offense led by first-year coordinator Houston White will take advantage of the athletic ability of LFO's skill-position players.
2) Linebackers Nate Long and Trey Silmon give the Warriors two of the hardest-hitting defenders in northwest Georgia.
3) The Warriors have embraced the role of underdog in new Region 5-AAA, which includes a mix of double-A teams from last year and a few triple-A programs.
THREE CONCERNS
1) A lack of numbers in the sophomore and freshman classes will limit the amount of depth Windham and his staff can employ and means the Warriors have to stay healthy.
2) The quarterback position was unsettled as training camp began, but Windham feels confident that either Ringgold transfer Sky Rogers or Silmon - or a comination of both - will be an upgrade on last year's revolving door under center.
3) Defensive line play was a strength a year ago, but LFO lost all-star Kelly Payne and two other starters to graduation.
THREE QUESTIONS WITH NATE LONG
(Senior linebacker and fullback)
Q: This program went 0-10 two years ago and started 0-4 last year, but you regrouped to have a good season. How is that going to help you this year?
A: It's more motivation to come back this year and be even better. The seniors this year are very tight. We don't fight with each other like some of the guys did last year.
Q: What is the one key for LFO to take that next step?
A: Love. You've got to love one another and work hard. As a senior I've got to be a leader and make sure we stay together. And we've got to stay hungry. Right now, on a scale of 1 to 10, we're a 20. That's hungry!
Q: Who is your biggest rival and why?
A: That's a hard one to weigh. It's either Ringgold or Heritage. When Heritage first came here we beat them, but they've beaten us the past two years, so there's a good rivalry now. We haven't beaten Ringgold in the past six or seven years, so we want to end that streak.
ROSTER
2 Jackson Wallin - Senior
3 Sam Eaves - Sophomore
4 Devin Wolfe - Freshman
5 Corey Agridano - Freshman
9 Cole Ellis - Senior
10 B.J. Raines - Sophomore
11 Pooh Harden - Senior
12 Skyler Rogers - Junior
14 Trey Silmon - Senior
16 Nick Farmer - Sophomore
17 Keyvon Rivers - Junior
20 Hayden Griffin - Freshman
21 Tristan Evans - Junior
22 James Knight - Freshman
23 Kalina Hyde - Senior
25 Jordan Pickett - Freshman
27 Randall Eaker - Senior
32 Kyle Trego - Senior
34 Jacob Gilbert - Junior
35 Cole Templin - Freshman
36 Casey Burse - Freshman
37 Ryan Tucker - Junior
43 Nate Long - Senior
44 Austin LaFerry - Junior
48 Cameron Pewitt - Sophomore
50 Brian Rich - Freshman
51 Lucas Heard - Junior
53 Jonathan Bolen - Senior
54 Steven Lewis - Senior
56 Chase Smith - Sophomore
57 Tanner Ivester - Sophomore
59 Bryson Suggs - Freshman
60 Andrew Whitis - Sophomore
64 Konner Lea - Freshman
65 Frankie Pinkston - Sophomore
70 Garrett Sanders - Sophomore
71 Jok O'Barr - Senior
72 Kirk Sanders - Junior
75 Todd Turner - Junior
79 Dusty Melford - Junior
80 Jordan Burgess - Sophomore
89 Daniel Parrish - Senior
91 Dylan Flowers - Senior