SUGAR HILL — Looking at the Lanier football depth chart provides an exercise in the old "glass half-full, half-empty" cliche.
That's because there is plenty of youth on the roster and five new starters on each side of the ball. And yet there are enough veterans -- and those veterans are standout players -- to impart optimism for the 2017 campaign.
Korey Mobbs says only time will tell, but he definitely sees the half-full side.
"I feel good about this team and how they've worked in the offseason; they're good kids and they're very focused on improving," Mobbs noted. "We're younger than we've been, but we're taking on a gauntlet in the non-region, and that will serve us well once we get into region play."
Indeed, even the youngest Longhorns should be grizzled vets by the time they open the 8-AAAAAA slate versus Winder-Barrow on Oct. 6 -- thanks to a campaign that includes talented programs South Gwinnett and Lambert (each a 2016 Class 7A Sweet 16 team) and a 2016 Class AAAAAA semifinalist in Northside, Warner Robins.
It will be a trial by fire for players like quarterback Zach Calzada, who moves into the starting role after spot duty last season. The junior has impressed through the summer, and coaches are excited about his potential. It also helps that Calzada may lean on a veteran offensive line that returns four of five starters, including three-year starter Collin Foster, a high-level collegiate recruit that will help protect Calzada's blind spot from the tackle position.
"We'll go as we do up front this season," Mobbs said. "And we're going to hang our hat on being physical."
To that end running backs Larry Harper and Tywon Reaves should prove a focal point -- though Mobbs says they will look to balance the run and pass in an attempt to bounce back from a lean season in the scoring column in 2016, averaging 20.7 points per game after putting up almost 30 points per game each of the previous three campaigns.
Equally, the defense will lean on its impact players in the trenches and a linebacker corps loaded with talent.
Senior nose guard Peyton Bergman will anchor a line expected to eat up blocks and allow Kameron Brown (younger brother of former dominant defensive tackle Derrick Brown), Erick Turner and Malik Johnson to fly around and make plays.
"Brown and Turner are the heartbeat of our defense from an emotional standpoint," Mobbs said.
It is a unit that the Longhorns will rely on as they head into the teeth of an 8-AAAAAA slog that, last season, ended Lanier's run of two straight region crowns as they finished just behind Dacula.
"There are no easy games in this region, but we're excited about our chances this season and we're looking forward to the challenge," 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, fourth season, 28-6
- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 7-4, first round Class AAAAAA playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: RB Marcko Baity, WR Alex Wyant, WR Josh Stroud, OL Drew Allen, OL Jake Smith, LB Juwuan Jones, LB Tyler Taylor, DE Michael Allen, Saf C.J. Burress, Saf Ethan Wilson, CB Morgen Kent
- 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 have been run-heavy in the past. They hope to mix in the passing game more this season.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. OL Collin Foster, Sr. OL Nate Stiltner, Sr. OL Aaron Loo, Sr. OL Mikey Magda, Jr. QB Zach Calzada, Jr. WR Mekal Fuller, Sr. RB Tywon Reaves
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4 -- Lanier uses an aggressive pass rush and speedy linebackers to create chaos and turnovers.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. DL Peyton Bergman, Jr. DE Jake Ludwig, Jr. LB Kameron Brown (leading returning tackler with 120 stops), Sr. LB Erick Turner, Sr. LB Malik Johnson, Sr. CB Jordan Moore, Sr. Saf Jahkai Richardson
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK/P Michael Decu
- STRENGTH: Offensive line/linebackers -- The Longhorns have talent and experience manning the offensive trenches this season, which should be a very comforting thought to new starting quarterback Calzada. On the other side of the ball, the linebacker corps should be one of the best in all of northeast Georgia, if not the entire state.
- QUESTION: Overall experience -- While the offensive line and linebacker positions bear plenty of leadership, other areas are stocked with youth and fresh faces. There is plenty of talent there, but it will be tested early against a very tough non-region schedule.
- KEY GAMES: A three-game non-region slate against South Gwinnett (Aug. 25, home), Northside, Warner Robins (Sept. 8, home) and Lambert (Sept. 15) will let the Longhorns know exactly where they are headed into the region slate. The Oct. 27 8-AAAAAA showdown with Dacula decided the region championship last season, and Lanier's games with Gainesville have often provided incredible contests. The Longhorns close out the regular season at City Park this season.
- TRENDING: Lanier has developed into a consistent winner -- so much so that last season's 7-4 record and No. 2 playoff seed was a step back for a program in just its sixth season of varsity play. The Longhorns believe they can continue that trajectory in 2017.
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 at Northview
Aug. 25 vs. South Gwinnett
Sept. 8 vs. Northside, Warner Robins
Sept. 15 at Lambert
Sept. 22 vs. St. Pius X
Oct. 6 vs. Winder-Barrow*
Oct. 13 at Habersham Central*
Oct. 20 at Apalachee*
Oct. 27 vs. Dacula*
Nov. 3 at Gainesville*
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
