Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / Matt Land has been head coach of the football program at his alma mater, Georgia's Dalton High School, since the 2010 season.DALTON, Ga. - When Dalton High School's athletic programs were moved up to Georgia's second-highest classification beginning with the 2014-15 school year, the predictions were grim for one of the state's most consistently excellent football teams.
Instead of falling into mediocrity, however, the Catamounts continued their winning ways, posting 51 victories and earning five playoff berths in six years. The run included a GHSA Class AAAAAA semifinal appearance in 2016.
The 2020 season may be the biggest challenge yet for head coach Matt Land's team. Heavy graduation losses - including the state's leading rusher in 2019, Jahmyr Gibbs, who's now at Georgia Tech - and a move into one of the toughest regions in the classification have Dalton facing tempered expectations again.
Just don't tell that to the Catamounts.
"Make no mistake, this team is going out there to win every Friday night, and if we do that and develop some of the younger players, it will be a satisfying season," said Land, who returns only one starter on offense and four on defense for his 11th season in charge at his alma mater.
"We've played in a tough region these past few years with Allatoona, Harrison, Sprayberry and Sequoyah, so the competition is nothing new. We've always thrived on it. The thing is, we can't worry about it. I can promise you this football team will compete every week."
The Cats' new region, 5-AAAAAA, has four other 2019 playoff qualifiers among its eight programs, led by perennial state powers Carrollton and Rome. Even more impressive is the number of elite players on those teams, starting with Carrollton, which went 12-1 last season and was eliminated from the AAAAA playoffs with a three-point semifinal loss to Buford, which went on to win its 12th state championship.
The Trojans could have one of the state's top defenses, led by two linebackers who have committed to Southeastern Conference teams: Chaz Chambliss (Georgia), who has more than 70 tackles for loss and 30 sacks in three seasons, and Chief Borders (Florida). Four other defenders have offers from Football Bowl Subdivision programs.
Rome may have the region's top offense, led by quarterback Caleb Ellard, former Chattooga running back E.J. Lackey and receiver Jay Wise.
Region newcomer South Paulding won nine games last year and will focus its offense on Miles Campbell, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound senior who had 54 receptions, 620 yards and seven touchdowns last year. Campbell, who is committed to Tennessee, is rated as the state's top tight end by recruiting services. The Spartans, however, must replace their quarterback, two leading running backs and their top receiver.
Douglas County, just 5-5 last year, is ranked No. 10 in Georgia High School Football Daily's preseason poll and features four of the state's top 100 senior prospects, led by defensive linemen Jonathan Jefferson and Josh Robinson. The region's top senior recruit plays at Paulding County: Smael Mondon is rated as the nation's No. 2 outside linebacker and is a punishing running back who had more than 700 yards a year ago.
The Catamounts will find out where they stand quickly. They open with nonregion foes Calhoun of AAAAA and Ridgeland of AAAA before having two weeks off to prepare for a region slate that begins with trips to Carrollton and South Paulding before a home game against Rome.
"There's nobody around here going to play that type of schedule," said Land, whose team is playing just nine games during the regular season. "It's a reason we have not tried to find a 10th game. We feel those two weeks could come in handy for us. Between the games and the COVID situation, it behooves us to give us time to reassess where we are as a football team."
What Land knows heading into Friday's opener at Harmon Field against Calhoun is that several young players will get tested early and that running back Maurice Howard (6-1, 207) will have an opportunity to shine after backing up Gibbs last season and averaging 10 rushing yards on 42 carries.
"Maurice is a physical runner, and we expect our run offense will not miss a beat with him," Land said. "A lot of these guys have been waiting to get their chance. There are also likely to be times when I look out there and see 10 to 12 sophomores on our first teams. Those guys are going to have to grow up quickly."
The defense will likely be ahead of the offense early as stalwart linebackers Caleb Hernandez, Brock Johnson and Mauricio Quintero return, as does free safety Parker Adams.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.