Friday, August 17, 2012
BY THE NUMBERS7 - Winning seasons since Gordon Central began playing football in 1986.6 - Playoff seasons for the Warriors program.28 - Statistical records set in the Fisher era, including most points in a game (54).SCHEDULEAug. 31 CoosaSep. 7 Southeast WhitfieldSep. 14 at Murray CountySep. 21 Ringgold*Sep. 28 at Lakeview-F.O.*Oct. 5 Coahulla Creek*Oct. 19 at Cartersville*Oct. 26 SonoravilleNov. 2 at AdairsvilleNov. 9 at North Murray** Region 5-AAA game
Coach: Chad Fisher (20-30 in five years here, 20-30 overall)
Stadium: Ratner Stadium
Address: 335 Warrior Path, Calhoun, GA 30701
The Warriors enjoyed their first winning season and playoff appearance since 2005 last year when they were in Class AA, but they have moved up to Class AAA for this season by a total of 11 students in the school, according to Coach Fisher. "I would have liked to stay in Double-A based on the rivalries, but I think at the end of the day it will be good for us," Fisher said. "We're going to play teams we haven't played in a while, so we'll have to be prepared."
2011-------7
2010-----5
2009---3
2008-----5
2007 (0)
1) Defensive line. The Warriors begin the season with five players who started on the line at some point last season, and four are three-year starters: D.J. Prather, Eric Smith and Brandon Paradise, who hits 300 pounds on the scales some days.
2) An arm and two legs. Senior quarterback M.J. Reynolds threw twice as many touchdown passes as interceptions last season. He also fits the mold of a slender running back who can tuck the ball on rollouts and get first downs, or touchdowns without passing. Fisher said he's able to make short and intermediate throws on target with a little zip and deep throws with some soft touch.
3) Hands up and hand down. Gordon Central returns all four receivers who had significan starts and experience last season, including Dynamite Dozen star Tyshaun Clemmons, tight end D.J. Prather and junior Chandler Curtis. "Any time one of them gets the ball, they can score," Fisher said.
1) Ground and pound. The Warriors graduated Jaden Compton, who had about 1,500 yards and scored 18 touchdowns last year. Senior Kagan Fleming, junior Kyle Flannagen, sophomore Cody Smith and sophomore Devonte Jenkins are candidates to succeed him. "We need to be able to have productivity in the backfield, and we need to make people honor the run," Fisher said. "If we can have 85 to 130 yards rushing per game, that's a good attack because we can run also run with our QB or wide receivers if necessary."
2) Size on the snap. The Warriors graduated four of five offensive linemen from last season. But Fisher played some some reserves who now will have serious responsibility, including Heath Huffstetler.
3) The unknown. Gordon Central is playing in a new division and classification this season. Crosstown rival Calhoun is not on the schedule. "We can't control the numbers, so we'll go out there and be competitive," Fisher said. "I know Ringgold will be tough, and I expect to face quality teams in our new league."
(Senior tight end/defensive end)
Q: What sort of season are you expecting?
A: Getting back to the playoffs is one of our main goals. We're working toward getting back there.
Q: What is your least favorite football drill?
A: Can sprints count as a least-favorite drill? I hate running sprints, especially in full pads.
Q: What are you looking at doing next year?
A: I'm looking at playing college ball. I don't know whether that will be football or basketball, but wherever I go, I'll be playing a sport."
1 Chandler Curtis - Junior
2 Tyshaun Clemmons - Senior
3 Dustin Chapman - Senior
4 Cody Smith - Sophomore
5 Ory Holland - Junior
6 Bryan Brookshire - Senior
7 D.J Prather - Senior
8 Colton Carroll - Junior
9 M.J Reynolds - Senior
10 Kagan Fleming - Senior
11 Trenton Smith - Junior
12 Antoine Harris - Junior
13 Cody Jones - Sophomore
15 Dakota Maddox - Sophomore
16 Nate Mays - Sophomore
17 Alex Hernandez - Senior
19 Kyle Flannagan - Junior
20 Mike Chavez - Senior
21 Taurus Carson - Junior
22 Anna Pierce - Senior
23 Maury Coria - Junior
25 Devonte Jenkins - Sophomore
28 Marcus Pratt - Senior
29 Miguel Rolon - Senior
31 Zack Goble - Junior
32 Zack Daum - Sophomore
33 Joshua Williams - Freshman
34 Will Barrea - Freshman
35 LarRons Winston - Senior
40 Bristol Bell - Sophomore
41 Michal Riel - Sophomore
43 Martice McClure - Junior
45 Eric Smith - Senior
50 Sam Anderson - Junior
51 Jonathan Adams - Senior
52 J.J. Winston - Freshman
53 Bo Dooley - Junior
54 Andre Lamb - Senior
55 Brandon Paradise - Senior
58 Matthew Mitchell - Sophomore
60 Dylan Thomas - Junior
61 Noah Hunt - Freshman
62 Walter Barrios - Freshman
63 Zack Mason - Freshman
64 Gage Loy - Sophomore
65 Nick Walters - Freshman
68 Heath Hufstetler - Senior
70 Dustin Meadows - Freshman
72 Caleb King - Freshman
74 Steven Whitener - Freshman
75 Oscar Hernandez - Junior
76 Jacob Mitchell - Junior
79 Stephen Dykes - Junior
81 Hayden Murphy - Freshman