RABBITTOWN — Trying to get Bryan Gray to talk about the rise of his program in estimation is no easy feat. After 10 years in charge of East Hall, the coach would much rather talk about the family atmosphere he and his coaching staff have built and the lives they have improved rather than wins and losses or playoff appearances.
But after leading the Vikings out of the wilderness there is no doubt that Gray and his staff have the program on the rise on the scoreboard too. And after reaching the state playoffs for a second straight season, it would appear that East Hall is reaching another level.
Just don't tell that to Gray.
"There are still plenty of folks out there that doubt us, but our kids relish not being the favorite," Gray said.
There are plenty of players on hand in 2016 that impressed last season, including 15 returning starters. Amongst that group are quarterback Austin Parker, receiver Markese Jackson and running back Deon Ellison -- each of which return to form the core of what was an explosive offense a year ago that averaged 30 points per game. And with a bevy of talented and experienced backs behind Ellison -- Cambren Harrison, Andrew Randall and Brian Holcomb -- East Hall's spread attack may only get stouter. The offensive line also returns talent -- though the Vikings are still looking for a starting center.
Meanwhile the defense also faces few questions -- save at cornerback, where East Hall must replace some three-year starters. With eight starters back, the Vikings will look to use their speed to disrupt opposing offenses. And with so many different attacks on the schedule, that athleticism figures to be an asset.
"We'll face four different offenses in the first five weeks," Gray said. "We will be aggressive; there are no 300 pounders on the roster, but all of those guys can fly. And defensive line and linebackers will be the heart of that unit. They started to show flashes last year, but they can really be dominant."
With that in mind East Hall is not sweating the seismic shifts of GHSA reclassification that brought playoff teams like Greater Atlanta Christian, North Hall and Union County into Region 7-AAA.
"We just go out and play, and the kids are dedicated to getting better," Gray said.
Anyone who has watched East Hall the last two seasons would have a hard time arguing that.
EAST HALL: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Vikings
- TEAM COLORS: Black and Gold
- CURRENT REGION: 7-AAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Bryan Gray, 10th season, 32-60
- 2015 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 6-5, first round state playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: RB Jiel Vargas, OL Tommie Peebles, OL Chase Mullins, WR/DB Jacquen Hopkins, DB Triquece Ware, DB Brock Griffin, LB Jesse Peterson
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread/multiple -- The Vikings proved one of the most exciting attacks around last season and feel they can improve on that this season, adding a more potent ground game to the mix.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. RB Deon Ellison, Sr. WR/QB Markese Jackson (averaged over 100 yards receiving per game in 2015), Jr. QB Austin Parker (2,485 yards passing, 214 yards rushing, 24 total TDs), Sr. OL Ivan Flores, Sr. OL Dylan Finley
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: Multiple -- The Vikings will look to use their speed and athleticism to break up offensive attacks before they can get going.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 8 returning starters -- Sr. DL Andrew Arrowood, Sr. DL Austin Haynes, Sr. Saf Noah Dyer
- SPECIAL TEAMS: All special teams duties undecided as of publication time
- STRENGTH: Skill positions/defensive front -- Without a doubt East Hall is blessed with talent, skill and experience at quarterback, running back and receiver. East Hall's front seven-to-eight on defense may not be imposing, but its speed will allow it to disrupt just about any offense.
- QUESTION: Cornerback/offensive center -- The Vikings are still looking for someone to take ownership of both positions after graduating three-year starters at the spots.
- KEY GAMES: The "Week Zero" opener against Habersham will be intriguing for both teams, as East Hall's run defense will be tested off the bat against Raiders running back Michael Babers. The biggest test of the regular season could come on Oct. 7 when Greater Atlanta Christian (a Class AA semifinalist in 2015) visits Valhalla. The contest comes in a stretch of four straight playoff teams from a year ago -- also including Union County (Sept. 30), defending 7-AAA champ and 2015 state quarterfinalist Dawson County (Oct. 21) and North Hall (Oct. 28).
- TRENDING: East Hall proved last season that it is a program very much on the rise in northeast Georgia, missing out on a region championship by a touchdown and making it back to the playoffs for the second straight campaign -- something which had not been accomplished since the 1994-95 campaigns when the program reached the region playoffs. The Vikings are on healthy footing and looking to continue that ascent this season -- even if they face a revamped and strengthened Region 7-AAA.
2016 SCHEDULE
Aug. 19 at Habersham Central
Aug. 26 vs. Chestatee
Sept. 9 vs. Johnson
Sept. 16 vs. Jackson County
Sept. 23 at *Lumpkin County
Sept. 30 at *Union County
Oct. 7 vs. *Greater Atlanta Christian
Oct. 21 vs. *Dawson County
Oct. 28 at *North Hall
Nov. 4 vs. *Fannin County
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
