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