COMMERCE — All eyes will be on the quarterback position at Commerce early in 2016, as the Tigers search for an heir to three-year starter Caleb Brooks -- who graduated after racking up 26 wins in his three seasons as starter.
Coach Michael Brown said there was no more important issue during the offseason than that as they try to take the next step after falling in the Class A Public semifinals each of the last two seasons.
"You don't really replace a guy like Caleb, but we feel we've found a couple of guys in Matthew Flint and (senior) transfer (from Jefferson) Lane Sorrow that have shown capabilities during the summer," Brown said. "I think we'll be able to make a decision by the end of fall (practice)."
The Tigers will still have plenty of firepower in their triple-option attack with the return of seniors Will Thomas (fullback) and Cole Chancey (halfback) behind a good offensive line led by seniors Cade Overstreet, Carson Hall, and Garrett Ash. Defensively, the Tigers are led by Ash and a talented group of linebackers in seniors Flint and Austin Brock, and juniors Chase Forrester, Braxton Legg, and Easley Smith.
"We feel our defense will be one of the strengths of the team, as long as everyone stays healthy," Brown said.
But the biggest keys to 2016 may be the smallest.
"We don't focus on playoffs and state title chances or anything like that," Brown said. "Our focus is on all the little things that need to be done. When you take care of the little things, then the bigger things can become possible. If we do those little things better this year than last, then hopefully we can have better results at the end."
COMMERCE: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Tigers
- TEAM COLORS: Black and Gold
- CURRENT REGION: 8-A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Michael Brown, fourth season, 26-11
- 2015 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 9-4, reached Class A Public semifinals
- KEY LOSSES: QB Caleb Brooks (3-year starter), HB/CB Jvarius Wood, OL Cody Weaver, C Jared Pate, SE/S Trevonta Williford
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Triple option -- The Tigers like to control the ball and chew up the yardage in their traditional attack to help keep their defense fresh.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. FB Will Thomas, Sr. HB Cole Chancey, Sr. OL Cade Overstreet, Sr. OL Carson Hall, Sr. TE Matthew Flint, Sr. OL Garrett Ash
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4 -- Commerce will attack and blitz with linebackers whenever possible.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. Saf Cole Chancey, Sr. DL Garrett Ash, Sr. LB Matthew Flint, Jr. LB Chase Forrester, Sr. LB Austin Brock, Jr. LB Braxton Legg, Jr. LB Easley Smith
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Placekicking and punting duties still undecided as of publication time.
- STRENGTH: Point of attack -- The Tigers should be stout on defense with a solid front-seven led by Ash and a tough-minded group of linebackers. The offensive line also will be an area where the Tigers have an advantage over most of their opponents.
- QUESTION: Quarterback/defensive secondary -- The biggest offseason priority was finiding a suitable signal caller to run Commerce's triple-option attack. Also, replacing three key starters in the secondary on defense.
- KEY GAMES: With Class A Public using a power ranking system, wins against quality opponents are crucial. The Tigers will have several opportunities with the likes of Prince Avenue (2015 Class A Private semifinalist; Sept, 30, away) and a resurgent Athens Academy (Oct. 28, away) and Athens Christian (Sept. 23, away) in Region 8-A. Commerce will test its line of scrimmage against Banks County in the opener.
- TRENDING: The Tigers continue to be on the upswing with two near-misses keeping them out of the state title game the past two seasons -- a contest Commerce last reached in 2000. The Tigers have firmly put the back-to-back losing campaigns of 2010-11 in the past. In fact, Brown's 26 wins represent the most for any Commerce coach in their first three seasons at the helm -- and that includes legendary Tigers Steve Savage and Ray Lamb, who each won state titles.
2016 SCHEDULE
Aug. 26 Banks County
Sept. 2 *Hebron Christian Academy
Sept. 9 at *Lakeview Academy
Sept. 23 at *Athens Christian
Sept. 30 at Prince Avenue
Oct. 7 vs. *Providence Christian
Oct. 14 at Riverside Military
Oct. 21 *Towns County
Oct. 28 at Athens Academy
Nov. 4 George Walton Academy
*- Indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
