GAINESVILLE — Close may not count for much in football but, for Lakeview Academy, it means the time may finally be ripe to make a long sought-after playoff run.
The Lions finished 25th in the final 2016 Class A private power rankings, missing out on their first ever postseason berth by just .49 points. And coach Matthew Gruhn said the campaign proved they are headed in the right direction.
"That's the closest we've ever gotten. One more win or a closer loss to one of the top teams and maybe we're in," Gruhn said. "It's not necessarily a defining thing for the porgram but it is important to get into the playoffs. That's what you play for. That's why we play a region schedule."
The Lions will have one advantage in 2017 that has proven a rarity in recent seasons -- a returning quarterback. Senior Alec Bornhorst is back to guide their improving spread attack and will have weapons available in senior RB Dillon Knepp and junior WR K.J. Millwood. Also, unlike recent years, they will have an experienced group up front with all five linemen returning in seniors Mason Barnes and Tyler Gerhart and juniors Palmer Ferguson, Ian Echols, and Bryce Blackwell.
"The line is a much-improved group and we like the chemistry they have together -- on and off the field," Gruhn said. "Alec is a good one and everything goes through him. Not having to break in a new quarterback has helped be a little further along than in the past few years. We're expecting a big season from him and really the whole unit."
The same group up front will also anchor a defense optimistic over their chances. The unit will again be challenged by bigger and faster offenses in 8-A but will look to keep things close for the offense.
Gruhn is hoping for a better start to the season than last year's 0-3 beginning but knows it will be tough with Class AAA East Jackson and then 8-A powers Athens Academy and Commerce to follow on the road. The Lions have not won a season-opener since 2012.
"Right now we're just focused on East Jackson," he said. "We could use a strong start to help build that momentum. I like what I have seen during the summer and I think the kids are ready to open strong."
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Lions
- TEAM COLORS: Navy blue and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Matthew Gruhn, 12th season, 27-54
- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 3-7
- KEY LOSSES: WR Jarrod Abee, WR Brandon Browner, RB Joe Gradige, DE Carter Reeves, LB Josh Henderson, PK/P Jack Perkins
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- After several seasons predicated on a ball control rushing attack, the Lions shifted to an air-raid style of offense in 2016 and look to build on last season's improved numbers -- their highest-scoring unit ever in a 10-game season.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. QB Alec Bornhorst, Jr. OL Bryce Blackwell, Sr. OL Mason Barnes, Jr. OL Palmer Ferguson, Jr. OL Ian Echols, Sr. OL Tyler Gerhart, Sr. RB Dillon Knepp, Jr. WR K.J. Millwood
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4/4-3 -- Lakeview will look to stop the run first -- a must in a Region 8-A full of strong rushing attacks.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. DL Tyler Gerhart, Sr. Saf Alec Bornhorst, Jr. DL Palmer Ferguson, Sr. LB JD Roark, Sr. LB Dillon Knepp, Jr. Saf K.J. Millwood, Sr. LB Will Drury
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. P/KR/PR Dillon Knepp; Sr. PK Daniel Bulos
- STRENGTH: Experience -- The Lions have 13 returning starters, including a returning QB for the first time in several years, and an experienced line on both sides of the ball should make them even more competitive in 2017.
- QUESTION: Kicking game -- Knepp is the only returner in the kicking game and Bulos is taking over from a true standout in Perkins.
- KEY GAMES: The season opener against East Jackson (Aug. 25, home) could prove important as the only non-region game. A win there would boost confidence headed into back-to-back games against traditional powers Athens Academy (Sept. 1, away) and Commerce (Sept. 8, away). Hebron Christian is a rivalry game and Hebron made the playoffs in 2016 so that is a big game for Lakeview (Oct. 20, home). The Lions must get at least one win against the middle-tier group in 8-A for any shot a playoff berth.
- TRENDING: The Lions missed out on their first-ever playoff appearance by mere percentage points in 2016. They return 13 starters, including Bornhorst at QB, which could yield big dividends by season's end. The defense should be improved with a soild group up front. If they can keep games close, Bornhorst and the offense may just be ready to help he Lions breakthrough in 2017. One of the smallest schools in GHSA play, Lakeview is set to embark on just its sixth region campaign (and fourth in a row)
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 vs. East Jackson
Sept. 1 at *Athens Academy
Sept. 8 at *Commerce
Sept. 22 vs. *Providence Christian
Sept. 29 at *Athens Christian
Oct. 6 vs. *Prince Avenue Christian
Oct. 13 vs. *George Walton Academy
Oct. 20 vs. *Hebron Christian Academy
Oct. 27 at *Towns County
Nov. 3 at *Riverside Military
*- Indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
