SUGAR HILL — Despite setting a program record with 11 wins in 2015 behind a dominating defense led by Auburn-signee Derrick Brown, Lanier is not resting on its laurels.
A move up in classification to Class AAAAAA and a brutal schedule from the beginning will not allow it. And Longhorns coach Korey Mobbs was all smiles when thinking about it.
"Our goal is to be one of those premeir programs where you don't worry about whether you're on an upswing or not. We want to build that consistent program where every year we'll be playing for something big," he said.
While they may have lost Brown and several offensive starters from last season, the Longhorns appear to be reloading more than rebuilding with 14 returning starters, including a pair of dynamic linebackers in seniors Tyler Taylor and Juwan Jones -- who could have breakout seasons out from under the very large shadow of Brown.
Gone is quarterback Tahj Tolbert, a three-year starter, and running backs Ashton Barnes and Marcello Baity. But senior Noah Fritz, who backed up Tolbert for three years and is familiar with their system, will take over. Senior Marcko Baity will handle the bulk of the carries in the backfield and Fritz will have a pair of senior receivers in Alex Wyant and Josh Stroud, who should help them spread and stretch the field to open things for Baity and the ground game.
The strength of the offense, however, will be up front with four returning starters in seniors Drew Allen, Jake Smith, Hunter Beasley, and junior Colilin Foster.
Defensively it's hard to imagine the Longhorns being any better than in 2015 where they allowed just 79 points during the regular season with three shutouts. They won't be as big without Brown in the middle in 2016 but they return seven starters and will have speed aplenty.
"You don't replace a guy like Derrick, but I don't think we will have any dropoff with the experience we have coming back. We'll have a little more speed and more experience in our secondary, which will be big for us with some of the teams we will play," Mobbs said.
LANIER: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Longhorns
- TEAM COLORS: Orange, Black and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AAAAAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Korey Mobbs, third season, 21-2
- 2015 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 11-1, Region 8-AAAAA champions, reached Class AAAAA second round
- KEY LOSSES: QB Tahj Tolbert, RB/WR Ashton Barnes, RB/Slot Marcella Baity, OL Juan Marn, DE Derrick Brown, LB Devin Miller, PK/P Noah Thomas
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- The Longhorns like to use a no-huddle approach and tempo to wear down defenses. They do like balance on offense but run it more than throw it, however.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. RB Marcko Baity, Sr. WR Alex Wyant, Sr. WR Josh Stroud, Jr. OL Collin Foster, Sr.OL Drew Allen, Sr. OL Jake Smith, Sr. OL Hunter Beasley, Jr. OL Nate Stiltner
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4 -- Lanier uses an aggressive pass rush and speedy linebackers to create chaos and turnovers.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. LB Juwuan Jones, Sr. LB Tyler Taylor, Sr. DE Michael Allen, Jr. DL Peyton Bergman, Sr. Saf C.J. Burress, Sr. Saf Ethan Wilson, Sr. CB Morgen Kent, So. LB Cameron Brown, Jr. LB Erick Turner
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. P Tyler Taylor, placekicking duties undecided as of publication time
- STRENGTH: Offensive line/linebacker -- With four returning starters in the trenches, the Longhorns should be experienced and solid. There is also senior leadership aplenty with 23 on the roster. Senior LBs Tyler Taylor and Juwan Jones are both poised for breakout seasons.
- QUESTION: Schedule -- Can Lanier navigate a tough slate with some new faces, especially on offense?
- KEY GAMES: The region opener on the road against Winder-Barrow could set the tone in for the postseason push, but the Sept. 9 road tilt against Northside-Warner Robins could be one of the premeir matchups in the state in any classification in 2016. The Longhorns finish at Dacula and at home with Gainesville, which could decide the region champ yet again.
- TRENDING: Where do you go from the best season in program history? Probably still upward for the Longhorns, who are reloading on offense and may be just as good on defense in 2016 as the last couple of seasons despite the loss of Brown. They have plenty of experience with 23 seniors on the roster, but that's actually pretty young when you consider they have nearly 100 players.
2016 SCHEDULE
Aug. 19 vs. Northview
Aug. 26 at South Gwinnett
Sept. 9 at Northside-Warner Robins
Sept. 16 vs. Lambert
Sept. 23 at St. Pius
Oct. 7 at *Winder-Barrow
Oct. 14 vs. *Habersham Central
Oct. 21 vs. *Apalachee
Oct. 28 at *Dacula
Nov. 4 vs. *Gainesville
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
