After ground-breaking 2020 season, Lakeview is believing

GAINESVILLE — For renowned program-builder Lee Shaw, it has always been about belief.

He built Flowery Branch from the ground up into a perennial power. He turned an average Rabun County program into a current Class 2A juggernaut.

So, anyone that may have doubted that when he took over Lakeview Academy last year -- a program that had just one winning season in its history and none while playing a region schedule -- the apology line starts near the CVS on Parkhill Drive.

Arrive early, it’s a long one.

“No matter where you are, there is always an undercurrent of doubt and disbelief,” Shaw said as the Lions got ready for summer practice on a new 2021 season. “You have to constantly make people believe in what you’re doing. That is always one of the biggest challenges. After last year, I think we may have already turned that corner on belief.”

Despite COVID issues and inexperience at several key positions, the Lions pulled off a stunning 5-4 campaign in 2020, including their first-ever playoff appearance in Class A Private. The five wins were the most since their only other winning season (6-2 in 2012) playing a non-region schedule.

“Last year was a special season. It may be one of my favorites of my entire career,” he said. “You had the COVID stuff, we had a bunch of injuries during the season, and you had all the outside people saying it can’t be done. But I tell you, I give all the credit to the seniors for last year.

“That group came in last year and bought into everything we were wanting to do. They told us they wanted to be the first class to make the playoffs. They played with relentless effort and made it happen. I will always remember that group.

“But I think another big thing about last year, and especially with those seniors, is they showed the younger kids it could be done. They also showed the community and the administration that there is reason to believe. That is just huge.”

And despite graduating nearly half of its roster from last season,  Lakeview still has plenty in the tank to believe another playoff run is possible.

Gone is Jesse Whiting at quarterback but junior Harrison Cooper, who has rejoined the program after not playing since the eighth grade, and Sam Perrott, who was a first-team All-Region 6-A Private selection at receiver in 2020, give Shaw and staff plenty to work with. Juniors Luke Cooper and Landon Hanes should help fill the void left by Ben Puckett at running back while sophomore Stuart Daniel, who returns at center, will be charged with leading a rebuilding line.

Shaw said with time the new group could be able to match their 24 points/game average from 2020, the second-best in program history.

“We lost the most of any team in the region but I also feel like we have a lot of talent coming back that saw action last year,” Shaw said. “Harrison and Sam both are dual-threat guys under center and I think we’ll be in good shape no matter who wins that -- and it will be a battle all summer. Luke and Landon are very athletic and give us some good options in the backfield. They just need some time together as a complete unit to get everything in sync.”

On defense, the Lions return four key starters, led by Luke Cooper and Hanes, both first-team All-Region 6-A Private selections at linebacker in 2020, and should get help from senior Andrew Pope. Daniel and Allen give them an experienced core upfront. But Perrot is the only returner in the secondary, which Shaw said has been a point of emphasis during the offseason.

They allowed just 175 points (19.4 ppg) in 2020, the fewest they have given up since 2013.

“Luke and Landon are outstanding linebackers and should be even better than last year,” he said. “Stuart and Tanner have gotten bigger and faster. Andrew I think could be ready to have big seasons on both sides.

“We have to find some quality guys to help Sam in the secondary but I think we should be able to do that by the opener. I really feel like we will be better than last year if we can stay healthy.”

While roster challenges always persist, the Lions' schedule is one that may have never been seen in this area in many a season, if ever. Because of scheduling quirks in 2020, they will have eight true road games in 2021, playing just Rabun Gap (Sept. 3) and Fellowship Christian (Oct. 1) at their brand-new complex.

So, Shaw opted for no spring practice in order to have two scrimmage games leading up to their season and road opener against Mt. Paran on Aug. 20 in Kennesaw.

“Every game is important but nothing is more important than our first one against Mt. Paran,” Shaw said. “But the key games may be those two scrimmages with The Georgia Force and Lumpkin County before that. We have several guys, like say Harrison (Cooper), who have never played a varsity snap on Friday nights. We’re going to treat those two scrimmages like real games so that we can get these guys some real experience before the season starts.

“How fast they adjust to the speed of the varsity game will be the key to everything. Right now we’re just focused on Mt. Paran. We didn't get to play them last year because of COVID and we’re just trying to get ready for that one. But I think the second game against Darlington, which is always pretty good and a tough place to play, will really give us a good idea of where we are and what we’ll need to fix.”

Shaw said last year was one he’ll always remember, but also stated that it is now behind them and the process of continuing to build the program is ever ongoing. But he is also hoping to give his new crop of seniors something to take with them.

“These guys getting into the weight room this year has been a big plus. They’re getting bigger and stronger. The culture of the entire program -- from the community down to the team managers -- has changed already,” he said. “This is a big year for us to try and keep that momentum going. There will be some adversity as there is every year. How this group handles it will be a key factor.

“But one of my favorite things about coaching has always been trying to give the seniors the opportunity to win when they’ve never had that. Last year’s group got to see that and I’m really trying to make that happen for these seniors.

“That is the excitement of coaching that drives me and why I came out of retirement to do this. I can’t wait for the season to get here to see how these guys do. My goal is to always be better than the year before. We have high expectations for this group if we can get them in the right spots and coached up.”