GAINESVILLE — A new offense, instilled midway through the 2014 season, may be the key to Lakeview Academy's fortunes this year.
Coach Matthew Gruhn switched to the spread attack to breathe new life into the program and saw some positive results by the end of the year, including posting 21 points against Commerce in the season finale -- the most the Tigers allowed in a single game during the regular season.
The Lions may be poised for a possible breakout season with 12 starters returning, though they will miss quarterback David Abee, who graduated. The key will be finding a win against some of the top teams in Region 8-A, which is perhaps the toughest in the classification. Junior placekicker Jack Perkins could be a weapon with good range.
Some early success could go a long way for the Lions. They open region play against Towns County, Providence Christian, and Hebron Christian, all winnable games. However, they have a brutal finish with Athens Christian, Prince Avenue, and Commerce -- who combined for 26 wins in 2014.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Lions
- TEAM COLORS: Navy blue and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Matthew Gruhn, 10th season, 22-39
- 2014 RECORD/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 3-7
- KEY LOSSES: QB/S David Abee, OL/DL Mitchell McIntire, OL/DL Kyle Larsen
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- The Lions will employ a different type of spread attack, looking to control the ball with the run and shorten the length of the contest.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. QB Thaddeus Webb (moved from WR), Sr. RB Avonte Gober, Sr. OL Connor Sosebee, Sr. OL Matthew Sartor
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 50 -- Lakeview will be more of a read-and-react style. Do not look for a lot of blitzes, as the Lions will have to be wary of their depth.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. S Thaddeus Webb, Sr. DB Avonte Gober, Sr. DL Connor Sosebee, Jr. LB Joe Gradidge, Sr. LB Ben Eades
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK Jack Perkins, Jr. P Jerrod Abee, Sr. KR Avonte Gober
- STRENGTH: Kicking game/offense -- Perkins, who can hit from 45-yards, can be a weapon. The offense should be more productive with a full offseason to learn the new system
- QUESTION: Depth -- Low numbers always make for this an issue for the Lions. If they can stay healthy they could see marked improvment.
- KEY GAMES: The first region game against Towns County will be crucial to set the tone. The Lions will need a good start with a brutal finish against Athens Academy, Athens Christian, Prince Avenue, and Commerce in the final four weeks.
- TRENDING: The numbers on the roster are up this season and the new offense has instilled some new energy into the program. The Lions were very competitive in the last half of the 2014 season and hope to carry that into a quick start this year.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 vs. East Jackson
Sept. 4 vs. St. Francis
Sept. 11 vs. *Towns County
Sept. 25 at *Providence Christian (Shiloh High)
Oct. 2 at *Hebron Christian Academy
Oct. 9 vs. *George Walton Academy
Oct. 16 at *Athens Academy
Oct. 23 vs. *Athens Christian
Oct. 30 at *Prince Avenue Christian
Nov. 6 vs. *Commerce
*- indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
