CLEVELAND -- It's no wonder that optimism surrounds the White County football squad these days.<br />
<br />
Talent, experience, a large senior class and a program now in its fourth season under the same offensive and defensive schemes could mean big things for a Warriors team looking for a third straight playoff berth.<br />
<br />
There are also reasons for caution, however -- namely a murderous new region and overall depth.<br />
<br />
Not that Bill Ballard isn't excited. Entering his fourth year at the helm, the White County head coach believes his program is climbing the right path, and, after previous coaching assignments at Tucker and Peachtree Ridge, there aren't any schedules scarier than those. <br />
<br />
That said, Ballard notes that there is always room for improvement.<br />
<br />
"We're still growing; we've made a lot of strides, and this is the first senior class that we will have had that has been running our systems all four years," Ballard said. "That makes a big difference. We're ahead of where we have been with installation. Really, it's more a matter of execution now.<br />
<br />
"Will we be as good as we want? That's to be determined. This team is still developing its identity."<br />
<br />
<iframe width="280" height="210" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YRi16MIRFl4?list=UUUSnrhr4jSeaPmIQ3FVLutg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
It's a safe bet that at least part of that identity will be wrapped up in its offensive backfield, where White County features four experienced and talented backs.<br />
<br />
Led by quarterback A.J. Vandiver, the Warriors' triple option attack will look to pick up where it left off last season. And though Mack Truck lookalike Dalton Whitfield is no longer taking handoffs after graduating, seniors Maurice Sutton, Sam Turner and Max Taylor are more than ready to pick up the slack.<br />
<br />
"Those guys are all unselfish, talented and play so hard for each other," Ballard said, adding that Vandiver's second season as starter could add a key dimension to the offense. "We're definitely seeing his ability to throw more in practice now. And last season he became a seasoned runner, and that's under-stated in an option quarterback. It takes experience to really run the ball correctly in this attack."<br />
<br />
The backfield will be aided by a sizable offensive line -- the biggest of Ballard's tenure that includes three-year starter Sean Freeman, as well as Ty Gooch, Parker Dorsey, Ethan Ramey and James Young.<br />
<br />
The Warriors will also rely on strong line play on defense, where players like Andrew Posten, Tucker Cook and Crawford Abernathy will play key roles. Turner and Taylor will lead the linebacker corps, while Sutton holds down one cornerback position. Adam Johnson will anchor the secondary from safety.<br />
<br />
"There's a lot of pride in this team, and they are proud of what they have accomplished the past couple of years, but they want to keep getting better and become the first team to make the playoffs in three straight years," Ballard said. <br />
<br />
To do that, White County will have to navigate a region that features seven playoff teams from a season ago (in various regions and classifications) -- while fielding a smaller roster than possibly anyone else in Region 8-AAAA.<br />
<br />
"We've had great participation, and numbers are up for us, but mountain schools are always going to have a few less players than other schools," Ballard said. "We had 67 come to camp with us this year but only 26-27 of them play varsity, so we'll have our work cut out keeping up with the numbers of the other schools in our region.<br />
<br />
"But our guys are excited and ready for the challenge."
