When a high school football team graduates two players who provided more than 3,700 yards of offense their senior seasons, it may take more than two players to try to fill that void.

That seems to be the case at Calhoun now that running back Adam Urbano has taken his talent to Georgia Southern and quarterback Tre Lamb has moved on to Tennessee Tech. Even so, the Yellow Jackets’ tradition as a powerhouse Georgia Class AA program has them looking again like the favorites among six teams to win another sub-region championship.

Region 7’s other sub-region includes Armuchee, Coosa, Model, Pepperell, Rockmart and Temple.

“I think this year you’ll probably have more teams at the end of the year eyeing playoff spots,” Calhoun coach Hal Lamb said. “You’ll probably have about three on each side. There’s a lot more talent in the region this year — at least that’s what I’ve heard.”

Calhoun will have plenty of it, particularly along the line of scrimmage. Quarterback and running back competitions are ongoing.

The front-runner at quarterback is 6-foot, 185-pound junior Michael Johnson. Sophomore Landon Curtis is challenging him, and 6-2 junior Blane Beaver is in the mix.

Coach Lamb said he didn’t have to do much quarterback coaching when his son, who grew up around football, was calling signals. That has changed.

“Michael was a starter for us last year at free safety, so he’s got a little more game experience,” Lamb said. “Michael’s a winner. He makes plays. He’s heady. He’s in the lead, but Landon’s a close second.”

Junior Kedron Aker (6-1, 205) is the largest of three running backs expected to play. The others are sophomore Dustin Christian and junior Kelby Holbrook.

Lamb said it may take three to make up for Urbano’s contributions, which included pass catching and blocking in addition to rushing and returning kicks.

“All three are probably going to see some action,” Lamb said. “Christian is a little scatback with unbelievable quickness. Kedron Aker is more of a power runner, but they’ve all got very good speed.”

Chattooga is coming off consecutive years of qualifying for postseason. Each time it was bounced in the first round.

Look for the Indians to be in the playoff hunt again, although they do have an undersized line. They do feature a college prospect there in 6-foot-3 Jacob Dotson. He’ll need to beef up from 220 pounds.

Adairsville improved from 4-6 in 2006 to 7-3 last year under first-year coach Mark Arthur. With line play spearheaded by college prospect Khalis McConnell, the Tigers could be a playoff challenger.

Niagel Curtis returns after rushing for 859 yards as a sophomore. Strong safety Kaleb Harp sparks the 4-3 defense.

Gordon Central had a dreadful 2007 season playing in Region 7-AAAA. The Warriors should have revitalized excitement competing in a class befitting the school’s enrollment. Coach Chad Fisher has also found comfort in having 25 seniors.

“Our senior leadership, I think, gives us an opportunity to be successful,” Fisher said. “We’ve got a veteran group.”

Offensive line should be a strength for the Warriors with junior David Anderson and senior center Jonathan Benton. Senior Kalin Lay is among the many wideouts sophomore quarterback Dre Prather will have as targets in the spread offense.

Sonoraville should be considerably better than in the first two years of the program’s history. Whether that can be measured in victories remains to be seen.

The Phoenix return nine starters in their option-based offense and 10 on their 50 slant defense. Senior tackle Isaiah Hatch (6-3, 255) will likely draw at least double-team blocking. Offensive and defensive tackle Greg Mulkey (6-4, 235) is a junior and a future college prospect.

Dade County coach Bradley Warren returns to the school where he played with hopes of rekindling the program. He has a cornerstone in two-way tackle Boone Wheeler (6-2, 275).

Senior quarterback Nick Bowden is having to learn yet another offense. Sophomore linebacker John Hampton is expected to be a key figure in the Wolverines’ multiple-50 defense.

Team on the rise: Sonoraville earned the only win in its two-year history late last season and has its first full senior class and nine offensive and 10 defensive starters returning. The squad has increased by 15-18 players.

Team on the decline: Chattooga may not be declining, but the Indians can’t seem to get past seven wins — their total in four of the last six seasons — and they are small across the line of scrimmage.

Nightmare schedule: The rest won’t feel sorry that region favorite Calhoun opens at payback-seeking Class AAAA Dalton before hosting Region 6-AAA championship hopefuls Ridgeland and Cartersville.

Dream schedule: Sonoraville is Heritage’s first opponent in program history. The Phoenix then play Jackson County, Southeast Whitfield and Temple — Southeast the only one that won a game last season.

Best game: If the last two years are any indication, it will be Calhoun’s opener Aug. 29 at Dalton. The Yellow Jackets won a last-second 27-21 thriller last season after the Catamounts pulled out a 20-16 victory the year before.

Biggest shoes to fill: Calhoun running back Adam Urbano’s and quarterback Tre Lamb’s. They provided more than 3,700 yards of offense and 55 touchdowns in 2007.

Playoff bound: Calhoun, Chattooga

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