Preps Preview: LaFayette Ramblers

BY THE NUMBERS18 - Consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance for the Ramblers. Rayvan Teague last coached the program to the postseason in 1994.1 - Returning offensive skill-position starter (quarterback Mackenzie Kelehear).2 - Starting linebackers and defensive backs returning from last year, an area Coach Gable focused on in training camp.SCHEDULESep. 7 TrionSep. 14 at CedartownSep. 21 at River RidgeSep. 28 Gilmer CountyOct. 5 at Southeast Whitfield*Oct. 12 Heritage*Oct. 19 Dalton*Oct. 26 at Ridgeland*Nov. 2 Northwest Whitfield*Nov. 9 Region 7-AAAA play-in game* Region 7B-AAAA game

LaFAYETTE RAMBLERS

Coach: Tab Gable (10-10 here in two years, 138-92-6 in 21 overall)

Stadium: Jack King Stadium

Address: 5178 Round Pond Road, LaFayette, GA 30278

RECENT HISTORY

The Ramblers have been one or two wins away from the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, but they have gone nearly two decades without a postseason berth. Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:

2011 -----(5)

2010 -----(5)

2009 -----(5)

2008 ------(6)

2007 -(1)

THREE STRENGTHS

1) The Ramblers return four starters on the offensive and defensive lines, including Barron Taylor, Will Mefford, Logan Edgeman and Dakota Tuckers.

2) Senior quarterback Mackenzie Kelehear returns after accounting for over 1,600 yards of total offense and 16 touchdowns in 2011.

3) Year two under the aggressive system of defensive coordinator Keith Mariakis should produce even more game-changing plays on that side of the ball.

THREE CONCERNS

1) Devarus Porter was the focus of the offense the past two seasons. Can senior Cody Dallas replace some of the 3,000 yards Porter produced?

2) Last year's skill players were loaded with speed and big-play ability. In addition to Porter, the Ramblers lost their three top receivers.

3) Even after the tragic accident that injured last year's breakthrough freshman, Austin Whitten, the LaFayette defensive line is a strength. However, three new linebackers and defensive backs must be found to provide help.

THREE QUESTIONS WITH CODY DALLAS

(Senior running back/cornerback)

Q: Devarus Porter left some big shoes to fill offensively. How do you plan to do that?

A: Devarus was more of a quick guy who liked to get in and out of his cuts quickly to get his yards. I think they plan to use me as more of a power back, so we're going to put it up the gut and see what happens. I'll work in the passing game with screens and flares. I'm excited for the football season.

Q: This program hasn't made the playoffs in 18 years. How can this team end that streak?

A: We lost a lot of athletes, but I think we can if we use our power, which we have more of than last year. Our defense should be stronger in stopping the run. If we can do those things, we'll be just fine.

Q: If you could win only one game, who would that be against and why?

A: It would be against Ridgeland because they've beaten us the past six years and they like to talk about it a lot. They've got good athletes, but so do we. It should be a great game either way.

ROSTER

1 Cameron Marsh - Junior

2 Clayton Underwood - Junior

3 Andrew Burse - Sophomore

4 Cody Dallas - Senior

5 Jimmy Stallion - Senior

6 Matt Lemons - Sophomore

7 Evan Head - Sophomore

8 Austin Whitten - Sophomore

9 Curt Jones - Junior

11 Hunter Clark - Junior

13 Mackenzie Kelehear - Senior

14 Winston Tramble - Senior

15 Conner Green - Freshman

16 Cole Stoker - Freshman

17 Sam Lemons - Junior

18 Nick England - Sophomore

19 Alize Woodall - Junior

20 Adam Ellisor - Freshman

21 Patrick Simmons - Sophomore

22 Joe Clayton - Senior

23 Ethan Tripp - Sophomore

24 Kolbe Mosley - Sophomore

25 JT Snider - Freshman

26 Jacob Morrison - Freshman

27 Travis Gray - Junior

28 TJ Hawkins - Freshman

29 Joe Guthrie - Senior

30 Kyle Bloodworth - Sophomore

31 Austin Smith - Freshman

33 Cody Morrison - Sophomore

34 Corbet Neal - Sophomore

35 Patrick Griffin - Sophomore

36 Jaco Herdon - Senior

37 David Price - Junior

38 Dustin Willie - Sophomore

39 Striker Bates - Sophomore

40 Jericho Hargraves - Sophomore

41 Trevor Bowman - Freshman

42 Clayton Lane - Freshman

43 David McCurry - Sophomore

44 Mason Smith - Freshman

45 Austin Hughes - Freshman

46 Dylan Queen - Junior

47 Nick Queen - Senior

48 CJ Haney - Junior

49 Levi Gilbreath - Freshman

51 Ty Ferguson - Junior

52 Chase Davidson - Junior

53 Logan Edgeman - Senior

54 Draven Sasser - Sophomore

55 Barron Taylor - Senior

56 Logan Cannon - Sophomore

57 Aarron Austin - Freshman

58 Drew Asher - Sophomore

59 Chris Robertson - Senior

60 Chris Cross - Sophomore

61 Austin Dees - Sophomore

62 David Lumpkin - Junior

63 Ashton McFall - Freshman

64 Matthew Mathis - Junior

65 Dakota Tucker - Senior

66 Zach Gill - Freshman

70 Jalen Hill - Freshman

71 Zack Jones - Junior

72 Nick Kurtz - Freshman

73 Tim Talbert - Freshman

74 Will Wright - Sophomore

76 Justin Morrison - Sophomore

77 Zack Cornett - Sophomore

78 Logan Suggs - Freshman

79 Kaemdenne Stoker - Junior

80 Elijah Clift - Sophomore

81 Josh Neal - Freshman

82 Cody Marchant - Senior

83 Dustin Jackson - Freshman

84 Wes Story - Freshman

85 Will Mefford - Senior

86 Brandon Long - Freshman

87 Christian Rogers - Sophomore

88 Taylor ParrisL - Junior

89 Jay Stanfield - Senior

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