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GORDON LEE TROJANSRegion 7-AABilly Neil Ellis Stadium/Bobby Chappell Field, 105 Lee Circle, Chickamauga, GA 30707Driver’s seat: Greg Ellis (39-40 in seven years here and overall)Road tested: 7 offensive, 7 defensive starters return
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Route ’15: What’s old is new again in Chickamauga as former head coach Greg Ellis is back to lead the Trojans. Ellis has promised a more physical style of play and expects an influx in athletes returning to the program to help boost the team’s chances of making the playoffs for the third time in eight years.
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Taking the wheel: The Trojans will run a spread offense to better take advantage of senior QB Caleb O’Neal’s talents. A threat running or passing, O’Neal will have to stay healthy if Gordon Lee is to make some noise in Region 7-AA. The loss of three-year starting LB Dallas Goodlet, the team’s leading tackler the past two seasons, could be eased by the emergence of sophomore LB Harrison Moore.
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Cruise control: While there may not be a true star in the Trojans’ offensive backfield, there is plenty of depth, beginning with senior Andrew Towns. Sophomore Braden Jarvis and junior Drew Cobb also will get plenty of carries.
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Pump the brakes: Inexperience along the lines could limit early progress, though Coach Ellis says the group is bigger and deeper than any Gordon Lee team has had. Hunter Teeters, a two-way starter at running back and safety, will be hard to replace.
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Backseat driver: A rival coach says of the Trojans, “You know Greg Ellis will have Gordon Lee playing a very physical brand of football. That’s what he was known for in his first stint there, and there’s no reason to believe it won’t be the same this time around.”
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Rearview2014 game resultsAug. 22;Trion;lost, 21-15Aug. 29;Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe;won, 34-14Sep. 5;LaFayette;lost, 43-22Sep. 12;Christian Heritage;lost, 33-0Sep. 26;Darlington;lost, 25-14Oct. 3;Armuchee;won, 33-16Oct. 10;Coosa;lost, 27-13Oct. 17;Chattooga;lost, 30-0Oct. 31;Model;lost, 28-7Nov. 7;Dade County;won, 14-133-7, 2-4 in Region 7-AA
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On the horizon2015 schedule (all times 7:30)Aug. 21;TrionAug. 28;at Lakeview-Fort OglethorpeSep. 4;at LaFayetteSep. 11;Christian HeritageSep. 25;DarlingtonOct. 2;at ArmucheeOct. 9;CoosaOct. 16;at ChattoogaOct. 30;ModelNov. 6;at Dade CountyRegion 7-AA games in bold
Pedal to the metal
It's rare when a coach gets a second term with a team. For Greg Ellis, his return to Chickamauga after a nine-year absence as head coach of the Trojans is already off to a good start.
"Well, I can tell you the program is in better shape this time around than it was the first time," said a laughing Ellis, who took the Trojans to six playoff appearances in seven years during his previous tenure.
A return to the postseason, he says, starts with a return to the basics. More to the point, he has made it known that mental mistakes won't be tolerated, something that has plagued the team in recent seasons.
"If it happens, you're over there with me, especially personal fouls," Ellis said. "We won't put up with silly mistakes. Now, things happen, but if you want to stay on the field you won't have those types of penalties."
The new/old coach also wants to see the Trojans get physical, and considering the personnel he's dealing with this season, Ellis may get his wish.
A strong group of skill players led by quarterback Caleb O'Neal and running back Andrew Towns is back, but it's a large - both in numbers and size - offensive line that has Ellis intrigued. The group, which includes Reagan Matthews (6-3, 270), Justin McCarty (6-2, 280), Cole Tarvin (6-1, 250) and Jared Spradlin (6-foot, 230), is expected to give the Trojans the physical edge Ellis seeks.
"We could possibly have one of the larger offensive lines Gordon Lee has ever had," Ellis said. "We've got some good athletes up front, and for once we're going to have some depth there."
- Capsule by Lindsey Young; contact at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or follow on Twitter: @YoungSports22