BY THE NUMBERS1 - Team on the 2012 Southeast schedule that had a losing record last season.26 - Years since the Raiders last had a winning season. Tony Martin coached them to a 6-5 mark in 1986, a year after going 9-2.148 - Games under .500 all-time for the Southeast program, which started in 1975.SCHEDULEAug. 31 at North MurraySep. 7 at Gordon CentralSep. 14 Gilmer CountySep. 28 at CedartownOct. 5 LaFayette*Oct. 12 Ridgeland*Oct. 19 at Heritage*Oct. 26 at Northwest Whitfield*Nov. 2 Dalton*Nov. 9 Region 7-AAAA play-in game* Region 7B-AAAA game
SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD RAIDERS
Coach: Sean Gray (First year here, 17-24 in four years overall)
Stadium address: 1954 Riverbend Road, Dalton, GA 30721
RECENT HISTORY
The Raiders have their eighth head coach since 1990 and are looking to end a playoff drought that has surpassed 20 years. Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:
2011 -(1) *
2010 -(1)
2009 -----(5)
2008 -(1)
2007 -(1)
* 2 wins were vacated due to forfeits
THREE STRENGTHS
1) The most noticeable difference in the Raiders is strength. A renovated weight room was put to good use this spring and summer as the team set several records.
2) An offense that consistently moved the ball last year brings back several strong athletes, including Rhett Harper and Blake Foster and a handful of other young players who have been clocked at 4.6 or better in the 40-yard dash.
3) A new start with Southeast alumnus Gray at the helm has infused the program with energy and optimism. Most of the Raiders' current junior class won a middle school championship under Gray.
THREE CONCERNS
1) There have been lots of changes, including new schemes and a renewed emphasis on physical play. How long will it take for the Raiders to get caught up?
2) Coach Gray wants his first Southeast team to establish a strong running game. The graduation of 3,000-yard rusher Coty Burch leaves a big hole to fill.
3) Gray admits he's anxious to see how his team handles adversity. If he gets the answer he wants, the program will have its first significant victory of the new regime.
THREE QUESTIONS WITH JAYRO PEREZ
(Senior defensive lineman)
Q: What is the biggest area the Raiders concetrated on during the summer and in training camp?
A: Definitely getting in shape to get ready for the season and putting in new plays. We've had a lot to learn. I think we need to work even harder to get where we need to be.
Q: What is the biggest change you've noticed in the new coaching staff?
A: They're focusing more on key points like running to the ball and making sure we all know our assingments.
Q: Did the coaching change catch you guys by surprise, and how did the team react?
A: None of us expected it, but it has turned out better than we expected. We should be ready to play our best when the season starts. All the guys have accepted it, and we're working hard to make it work.
ROSTER
1 Chaz Payne - Sophomore
2 Hunter Floyd - Sophomore
3 Rhett Harper - Junior
4 Kevin Torres - Senior
5 Blake Foster - Junior
6 Devin Walden - Sophomore
7 Luis Fraire - Junior
8 Cole Gillean - Junior
9 Andrew Mays - Sophomore
10 Trey Weaver - Sophomore
11 Abram Stanley - Junior
12 Colter Faith - Freshman
13 Jonathon Gowan - Sophomore
14 Shaw Scott - Sophomore
15 Tyler Brown - Freshman
16 Corey Barnes - Sophomore
18 Austin Purkey - Junior
19 Chris Rosas - Freshman
20 Nick Stuard - Junior
21 Michael Izzaguire - Senior
22 Chase Jenkins - Sophomore
23 Thomas Keeble - Freshman
24 Easton Ridley - Senior
25 Brady Barnett - Sophomore
26 Jonathon Sanchez - Junior
27 Michael Pearce - Junior
28 Smael Sandoval - Junior
29 Justin Hutcherson - Sophomore
30 Mason Grant - Freshman
31 Devin Fields - Freshman
32 Bernardo De La Garza - Sophomore
33 Laroque King - Sophomore
34 Damian Manning - Junior
39 Britt Hasty - Freshman
40 Noah Burns - Freshman
41 Dylan Burch - Junior
42 Tanner Acosta - Sophomore
44 Jayro Perez - Senior
45 Ben Pedigo - Sophomore
46 Eric Mitchell - Junior
48 Anthony Ortiz - Sophomore
49 Alex Cantrell - Senior
50 Jose Franco - Junior
51 Jared Davis - Senior
52 Justin Claxton - Freshman
53 Matt Moss - Freshman
54 J.T. Trammell - Freshman
56 Kyle Parrish - Junior
57 Jimmy Cook - Sophomore
58 Jose Martir - Senior
59 Matt Frye - Senior
60 T.J. Bartczak - Sophomore
61 Josh Hester - Sophomore
62 Luis Flores - Freshman
63 Austin Beavers - Sophomore
64 Levi Bridges - Freshman
66 Matt Cloer - Junior
67 Rance Jeffries - Sophomore
68 Justin Peal - Senior
69 Alan Ponce - Sophomore
71 Chris Burns - Senior
72 Martin Nunez - Sophomore
73 Zach Broome - Senior
74 Hunter Sanford - Sophomore
75 Jimmy Mendoza - Junior
76 Enrique Romero - Sophomore
77 Jeremy Green - Sophomore
79 Carlos Fraire - Senior
80 Gabe Shipman - Freshman
81 Stefano Rodriguez - Freshman
82 Cody Ensley - Senior
83 Devon Steele - Freshman
84 Tyler Floyd - Junior
85 Gavin Hill - Senior
86 Nick Burns - Sophomore
87 Erik Flores - Sophomore
89 Pablo Rodriguez - Sophomore
93 Isaac Moss - Senior
99 Melvin Araiza - Senior