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TRION BULLDOGS
Head coach: Sean Patrick (3-7 here and overall)
Returning starters: 10 offensive; 10 defensive
Last year's record: 3-7, did not qualify for playoffs
Key players: Rob Brown (6-0, 200) Sr. RB, Kaleb Park (6-2, 265) Sr. OL, Cole Cavin (6-5, 240) Sr. TE, Brantley Willbanks (5-9, 225) Sr. LB/DL, Toby Maddux (5-10, 165) So. FS, Lucas Stoker (5-11, 190) So. LB
Season outlook: The Bulldogs were derailed by injury and COVID-19 challenges in Patrick's debut season, but now they're healthy, experienced and ready to push for a playoff spot.
Few Class A public teams can equal Trion's size up front, where college recruit Park heads a group that includes sophomores Ezra Adams (6-2, 270) and Colby Evans (6-1, 260), senior Blayden Bowman (6-0, 210) and tight ends Ben Allen (6-3, 210) and Cavin. The unit's play this spring and summer led all-region running back Brown (1,245 yards, 20 touchdowns in 2020) to predict a 2,000-yard season.
A key to the offense's productivity will be the return of junior quarterback Logan Eller, who missed nearly all of 2020 due to injury.
"He's such a hard worker and a great leader," Patrick said. "He has a firm grasp on the offense and is now learning the small nuances of playing the quarterback position."
Willbanks, an all-region performer who led the team with 128 tackles last season, will bounce around from defensive end to linebacker, depending on the situation. Adams and Evans are part of a deep rotation up front that includes Zach Sharp and Allen, while all-region players Maddux and Stoker will head the secondary.