Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe's Jacob King (24) tackles Ringgold's Bryton McCann (2) during their prep football game at Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe High School on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, in Fort Oglethorpe, Tenn. Head coach: Bo Campbell (13-28 in four seasons here; 17-44 overall)
Returning starters: 5 offensive; 5 defensive
Key players: FS Jacob King (6-2, 185); LB Todd Thornburg (5-11, 180); DE James Beddington (6-1, 245); DE Josh Haveman (6-0, 200); QB Malachi Powell (6-2, 190); OL-DL Noah Haney (5-11, 255).
Team strengths: After years of tough times the Warriors are heading into a season on a high note after finishing second in Region 6-AAA last year. Nine senior starters are back who know what it takes to make the playoffs.
Team concerns: Replacing 12 starters will be difficult. Most heavily hit were the skill positions, where a new lead running back and a pair of receivers need to step up.
Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe head coach Bo Campbell runs drills with members of his team before taking on Ringgold at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School's Tommy Cash Stadium on Friday, Sept. 29, in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.Breakout candidate: Senior Zion Martin will get a shot to start at receiver and cornerback, places of need for the Warriors. His athleticism and experience will be heavily counted on.
Season outlook: By any definition, the 2018 season was a remarkable one for the Warriors, who won seven games, were region runners-up and hosted a playoff game. The run came two years after Campbell's first two LFO teams went a combined 1-19.
However, while there is a sense of accomplishment, the taste of success has coaches and players wanting more.
"I was very proud of our guys that, instead of being satisfied with having a decent season (5-5 in 2017) the year before, that they would want to do even better this past year," Campbell said. "Now we've kind of set a tone with the program that we want to get better each year.
"This year's seniors came up with a motto, 'Not satisfied, not finished.' There is a hunger to do even better than they did last year."
The challenge for the Warriors is an offense that has to replace a lot of production and size. Athletic quarterback Powell returns and will have a bigger role this season. The defense will have playmakers at every level in lineman Beddington, linebacker Thornburg and safety King.
"This region has a lot of really good offenses, so you better put a good defense out there," Campbell said. "Getting those guys back is key for this year."