But Tim Marchman, who guided the Vikings to a 6-5 record and their first playoff appearance in three years last season, said they face similar challenges this season.
The Vikings opened their fall practice Monday, along with most teams in Hall County, northeast Georgia and the rest of the state.
"We feel good with a year under our belt. We learned a lot from last year but we still have a lack of depth and injuries will be a key for us and how well we do," said Marchman, who moved over from West Hall last season after 10 seasons with the Spartans.
Another challenge will be the fact that East Hall dropped down to Class AA this year and will be in Region 8-AA, one of the toughest regions in the state in any classification.
Region 8-AA is home to two-time defending state champion Buford and Greater Atlanta Christian and Wesleyan each advanced to the final 8 last year.
Offensively, the Vikings should be explosive with Hall County's leading passer Lee Coleman back at quarterback. They averaged 24 points a game last year, but nearly 28 over their final eight regular season games.
Coleman, a junior this year, threw at least one TD pass in every game last year and improved as the season went along. He will have seniors Marquise Jackson and Travis Stephens returning to throw too and juniors Keith McClure and Jamie Evans also return in the backfield.
"Our strengths will be in the backfield and receivers. Our offensive line should be good but depth will be a problem if someone gets hurt," Marchman said.
A big loss for the Vikings was Patrick O'Neill, who led Hall County in tackles last year, to graduation. They only return five defensive starters and will rely on two-way players.
They open the season against traditional rival North Hall and then travel to West Hall before jumping into the Region 8-AA schedule.
Other key games in the schedule will be road trips to Rabun County and Lumpkin County, a playoff team in 2003, But they play the Big 3 of the region at home with Buford coming Sept. 24th, Wesleyan Oct. 15th and finishing the year against GAC Oct. 29th.
2004 SCHEDULE
Aug 20 North Hall (7-AAA)
Aug 27 @ West Hall (7-AAA)
Sep 03 @ Rabun County (8-AA)
Sep 10 Union County (8-AA)
Sep 17 @ Lumpkin County (8-AA)
Sep 24 Buford (8-AA)
Oct 08 @ Dawson County (8-AA)
Oct 15 Wesleyan (8-AA)
Oct 22 @ Banks County (8-AA)
Oct 29 Greater Atlanta Christian (8-AA)
2003 RESULTS (6-5 overall, 6-4 in region) *Class AAA
Sep 05 @ Chestatee (7-AAA) Won 13-9
Sep 12 Gainesville (7-AAA) Lost 7-56
Sep 19 @ North Hall (7-AAA) Lost 21-57
Sep 26 Gilmer (7-AAA) Won 32-14
Oct 03 West Hall (7-AAA) Won 27-20
Oct 10 @ Pickens (7-AAA) Lost 26-35
Oct 17 Fannin County (7-AAA) Won 27-19
Oct 24 @ Flowery Branch (7-AAA) Won 33-14
Oct 31 White County (7-AAA) Won 32-29
Nov 07 @ Johnson (7-AAA) Lost 23-45
Nov 21 @ LaGrange (6-AAA) Lost 0-49
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/8/154347