DAHLONEGA — Shane Williamson hit the ground running this June and has not slowed down -- but the new Lumpkin County football coach is far from worn out.
In fact, after taking over the Indians just weeks before the start of the 2016 season, he has been energized by what he's found in Dahlonega and believes that it's just the tip of the iceberg. And instead of worrying about the short time he's had to install his version of the wishbone/option -- called the "broken bone" -- and 3-4 defense he's more encouraged by what is already in place.
"There's a great opportunity to develop a winning program here," said Williamson, who came from Forsyth Central, where he led the Bulldogs to their first winning season in 13 years in 2014. "The support here is tremendous from both the school leadership and community and the facilities are as good as you'll find, especially for a school this size. I've also been pleasantly surprised by the athletic ability of the players here."
That said, Williamson knows his team has a long way to go, and his staff is working hard to get his players comfortable with their new assignments as well as creating depth on the roster.
"You've got to find the positive steps, and we're starting to see flashes of what we can be," said Williamson, who also believes that a big step in elevating the program lies in consistency, and, after becoming Lumpkin's fourth coach in five years, he hopes end to that consistent change. "I'm here to stay," he said.
So too is his option-based offense, and, with several veteran lineman and a standout running back at his disposal in Zach Matthews, Williamson may have the pieces for some early success. Meanwhile, the defense will look to be aggressive from the outset.
"We have a learning curve here, but not an athletic curve, and we're excited about what's in store," Williamson said.
LUMPKIN COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Indians
- TEAM COLORS: Purple and Gold
- CURRENT REGION: 7-AAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Shane Williamson, first season
- 2015 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2-8
- KEY LOSSES: OL Ben Brown, OL Zach Samples, RB/DB Austin Pierce, WR Cal Thrilkill, NG Justin Cantrell, OLB DJ Jackson
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Broken-bone -- A combination of the wishbone and option, the Indians will look to the run first but will force defenses to spread the field and will also try and hit for big pass plays when opponents do crowd the line of scrimmage.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 starters returning -- Sr. RB Zach Matthews, Jr. QB Chandler Woodham, Sr. OL Zach Johns, Sr. OL Cage Sanford, Jr. OL Josh Chastain, Jr. OL Dalton Savage, Sr. OL Taylor Miller
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4 -- Lumpkin County will look to attack opposing offenses and force turnovers with an aggressive style.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 4 starters returning -- Sr. DL Cole Mayo, Sr. LB Noah Denard, Jr. Saf Julian Hazen
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK/P Wesley Wells, So. P Harrison Spivey, kick return duties undecided as of publication time
- STRENGTH: Offensive line/running back -- The Indians have both experience and ability along the offensive front, which could lead Matthews to another big season (he dominated as a sophomore) after shuffling positions last season.
- QUESTION: Learning curve -- Lumpkin's coaches will not even talk about it, and are certainly not using it as a crutch, but it will no doubt be tough for the Indians to enter the season fully ready after Williamson only took over in June.
- KEY GAMES: The season opener against oldest foe White County (the two have played 46 times) will give the Indians a barometer on just how far they have come in a short time. Games against Madison County (Sept. 9) and Chestatee (Sept. 16), who were a combined 1-19 last season, front the beginning of the region campaign.
- TRENDING: The Indians followed an optimistic 2014 campaign -- in which they broke back into the state playoffs -- with a gutting 2-8 season (their third such record in the past four years). That said, Williamson believes there is a terrific opportunity to build Lumpkin into an annual playoff contender and more via consistency. And after becoming the team's fourth coach in five seasons, Williamson -- who says he's in Dahlonega to stay -- believes a steady and consistent approach will make all the difference as he looks to build the program.
2016 SCHEDULE
Aug. 26 vs. White County
Sept. 2 vs. Jackson County
Sept. 9 at Madison County
Sept. 16 vs. Chestatee
Sept. 23 vs. *East Hall
Oct. 7 vs. *North Hall
Oct. 14 at *Greater Atlanta Christian
Oct. 21 vs. *Fannin County
Oct. 28 at *Dawson County
Nov. 4 at *Union County
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
