TRENTON, Ga. — Bradley Warren contributed on the field to the success of high school football in Trenton, Ga. Now he hopes to do the same from the sideline.

Warren was a junior linebacker when Northwest Georgia went 10-0 during the 1987 season. The school renamed Dade County has sought to rekindle anything approaching that success since.

However, the Wolverines have been 2-8 in five of the last seven years. The 2004 and ’05 seasons were worse: They were part of a 22-game losing streak.

“I think we’ve had something like six coaches in the last eight years,” two-way tackle Boone Wheeler said. “Coach Warren played here. He’s lived here most of his life. A lot of people think he’s here to stay.

“We believe in what he’s doing. We believe Coach Warren will get things turned around soon.”

Warren’s high school coach was John Mackersie. Warren picked up a few management qualities from his former coach and has incorporated them into his own style.

“I expect a lot out of a kid,” Warren said. “I don’t know if I’m as old-school as he is.”

Big plays by opponents and Dade County’s lack of them often were deciding factors in the Wolverines’ four losses by 12 points or less last season.

Wheeler said the new offense Warren is installing may provide more big-play opportunities. Running back and defensive back Cody McNabb said giving up too many long gainers must also be addressed.

“Our biggest concern is how we’ll act after something bad happens,” Warren said. “We’ve got to have a short memory and just go hard every down.”

Warren is expecting to have about 50 on the squad this season. McNabb and Wheeler are among the 10 seniors.

“This year we’re looking at making the playoffs,” McNabb said. “If not, at least a .500 season. We think that’s very reachable.”

Wheeler said he’s not big on predictions but agreed with McNabb’s forecast. That’s provided the attitudes of all involved come around.

“People are so used to losing around here, we’ve got to get that out of our system,” Wheeler said. “We have to go from thinking we can win to knowing we can win to playing like we can win.”

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