There are just 23 days remaining until the kickoff of the 2024 high school football season. But make no mistake, preparations for the upcoming campaign began months ago. And teams throughout northeast Georgia already are in full countdown mode.
With that in mind, we spent the last couple of weeks catching up with programs around our area to get a feel for how spring practice went, how the summer is going, and what coaches believe the fall will look like. Our "Two-a-Days" series honors those old-school grinding sessions that lead us out of summer and into fall, asking each area coach two key questions about the state of their respective programs.
Over the next two weeks, AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night will get you prepped for the start of gridiron action with responses from coaches throughout northeast Georgia.
(Teams run in alphabetical order)
LANIER CHRISTIAN (3-8 in 2023; 1st round GAPPS playoffs)
The Lightning suffered some key injuries in 2023 and then coach Bruce Miller stepped down, leaving some sizable holes in the program.
But long-time assistant Joel Lulinski took over the reins and has seen an increase in numbers and interest in the still-fledgling program.
They have 17 starters back and should be poised to make a deep run in the GAPPS 11-man league. We asked Lulinski how things are developing in his first season running the show.
QUESTION: Coach, y’all have had a spirited quarterback battle between Junior Drew Kalinauskas, freshman Rex Greene and junior Tres Criste. How has that begun to take shape and have any of them taken a step forward in claiming the starting job?
A: Drew has proven himself to be a leader on the field. He came in in a tough spot last year and finished out strong for us. He is seeing the field better and growing in his understanding of coverages. Tres Criste is new to the quarterback position, but is making some big strides very quickly. If he continues to work hard, he will be a strong contender for the position.
And Rex has a lot of talent, but he hasn't been consistently at enough summer practices to really show the coaches and his teammates what kind of quarterback he can be yet.
Q: Y’all will have a young group up front on offense. How has building some depth along the line come along during the summer? Who are some guys that have stood out so far?
A: I have been pleased with the dedication and competition in our offensive line under the leadership of offensive line coach Jeff Fambrough. They are a young group, but they push each other to improve and grow. Freshman Isaac Fambrough might be one of the younger players on the team but he doesn't play like a freshman. He will be our starting right side tackle. Junior center Titus Lulinski is back stronger after an injury and in better shape and is showing the tenacity you want to see in your starting linemen. Asher Acton is a returning sophomore. He has added more weight, strength, and has increased his football IQ. The strong side of the line is led by senior and captain Josh Waymack. At 6-5, 320 pounds he is a force that has been recognized by many colleges that are actively recruiting him. The last starting spot on the line is up for grabs between sophomores Luke Branch and James Haseldon.
- Up Next in Two-a-Days: LUMPKIN COUNTY
- Previous Two-a-Days: LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
