CALHOUN YELLOW JACKETS
Head coach: Hal Lamb (220-36 in 20 seasons here; 225-51 overall)
Returning starters: 8 offensive, 6 defensive
Key players: TE/LB Davis Allen (6-5, 230), QB Gavin Gray (5-11, 175), OL/DL Ben King (6-3, 240), WR/DB Luke Moseley (6-3, 185), WR/FS Brannon Spector (6-1, 190).
Team strengths: Talent and championship experience are everywhere, including a pair of Clemson recruits in Allen and Spector. Previous Calhoun teams suffered heavy graduation losses after winning state titles, but not this one.
Team concerns: There are holes to fill despite all the experience, most notably along the lines, where stalwarts Brice Craig, C.J. Fuller, J.C. Fuller and Zeke Nance all graduated.
Newcomers to watch: A pair of juniors, Kender Griffin and Dawson Hamby, will be counted on as integral parts of the rotation on the defensive line, while senior Cole Griffin and juniors Elijah Baldridge and Jaeden Curtis will fill spots on the offensive line.
Season outlook: By all accounts, there are few things that could keep the Yellow Jackets from yet another appearance in the Class AAA championship game.
Returning from last year's team, the third to win state under Lamb, is most of the offensive production and a slew of defensive stars. Just below the surface, though, is a fear all coaches feel when coming off a great season: complacency.
Lamb, though, doesn't waste a moment worrying about it for one very strong reason.
"It's this senior class," Lamb said quickly. "They won't allow us to get complacent, which is always a worry when you have so many returning starters and you're coming off such a great season."
Lamb also points out there is still plenty to be hungry for. The Yellow Jackets can break the Georgia state record of 17 consecutive region championships (they are tied with Lincoln County) this season and could become the first Calhoun team to win back-to-back state titles.
The players are well aware of what's in front of them.
"Now that we have that target on our back and the expectation of going back to back, it gets us motivated knowing teams are coming after us," Allen said. "We want to take that best shot and give it right back to you."
He and Spector will start on both offense and defense. With three-year starting quarterback Gray, leading rusher Zack Fuller, tall receiver Moseley and standout center King also returning, the offense is talented and experienced.
The defense lost a bit more, but with Allen, Spector and postseason hero Bralin Barton back, there is plenty to build around.