Southeast Whitfield Raiders
Coach: Sean Gray (2-8 in one year here; 19-32 in five years overall)
Last year: 2-8, 2-4 in 7B-AAAA
'13 dreams: Year two of the Gray regime has the Raiders thinking bigger things. Only 14 seniors graduated from the 2012 team, meaning Gray has had more time get his program - and his players - in shape. The biggest area of improvement, he said, is in the overall strength of his players after a rigorous year of weight training. The offense returns its two top threats in quarterback Rhett Harper, who was the team's top wideout last year, and Blake Foster, who was the quarterback a year ago and is slated to be the top running back as a senior. The biggest question mark is on defense, where the Raiders must replace the entire line.
13-for-13 contenders: Harper will trigger an offense that will be more balanced and look to take advantage of his athletic ability more often. The strength of the unit lies up front, where a group that includes Matt Cloer, Martin Nunez, Jeremy Green and Hunter Sanford averages 270 pounds.
Number of interest: 26 - Years since the Raiders enjoyed a winning season and a playoff berth. The program has gone 5-5 four times since 1986 but has won two or fewer games 18 times since then.
13 years ago: The Raiders won three games in 2000, tripling the victory total of the previous three seasons combined.
Program superstition: Gray played at Southeast and admits the program lacks the kind of tradition neighbor schools Dalton and Northwest Whitfield have and the kind of superstition that often goes with that. "That's what we're trying to build here," he said. "We don't have a sense of community, and we want everyone to want to be a part of this program."
1-through-3: Senior quarterback Rhett Harper
Q. Rival coaches are saying you guys could be the region's surprise team. Where do you see the Raiders fitting in?
A. I feel we can compete with any team in our region, but we have to prove it on the field. We've got the biggest offensive line since I've been here, and we should be able to move the ball on anyone.
Q. How much of the team's success this year depends on the mental aspect of the game?
A. For us, that's it. Physically we're there, but we need to believe we can do it. Beating a team with a good reputation would help us. We were really close last year to doing that.
Q. No winning seasons since 1986 and no playoffs. What would it mean to you as a senior to help end those streaks?
A. It would be amazing. That's what we're working for. We have to learn how to finish games this year, and if we do I think we can get in the playoffs.
2013 Schedule
Aug. 30 North Murray
Sep. 6 Gordon Central
Sep. 13 at Gilmer County
Sep. 27 Cedartown
Oct. 4 at LaFayette*
Oct. 11 at Ridgeland*
Oct. 18 Heritage*
Oct. 25 Northwest Whitfield*
Nov. 1 at Dalton*
Nov. 8 Region play-in
*Region 7B-AAAA game
2012 Stats
Passing C-A-I Pct. Yards TDs
Blake Foster 62-149-5 42.2 695 4
Rhett Harper 7-18-0 39.5 88 0
Rushing Att. Yards TDs
Easton Ridley 100 623 8
Blake Foster 84 401 5
Receiving No. Yards TDs
Rhett Harper 30 461 4
Easton Ridley 12 111 0
Roster
1 Chaz Payne Junior
2 Hunter Floyd Junior
3 Rhett Harper Senior
4 Will Swantic Sophomore
5 Blake Foster Senior
6 Devin Walden Junior
7 Luis Fraire Senior
8 Cole Gillean Senior
9 Andrew Mays Junior
10 Trey Weaver Junior
11 Abram Stanley Senior
12 Colter Faith Sophomore
13 Jonathon Gowan Junior
14 Shaw Scott Junior
15 Tyler Brown Sophomore
16 Corey Barnes Junior
18 Austin Purkey Senior
20 Nick Stuard Senior
21 Austin allen Senior
22 Devin Fields Sophomore
23 Thomas Keeble Sophomore
24 Ramiro Guerrero Junior
25 Brady Barnett Junior
26 Jonathon Sanchez Senior
27 Michael Pearce Senior
28 Ismael Sandoval Senior
30 Mason Grant Sophomore
32 Bernado De La Garza Junior
33 Laroque King Junior
34 Damian Manning Senior
37 Abel Mendiola Senior
39 Britt Hasty Sophomore
40 Jacob Mashburn Junior
41 Dylan Burch Senior
42 Tanner Acosta Junior
45 Ben Pedigo Junior
46 Eric Mitchell Senior
49 Matt Moss Sophomore
50 Jose Franco Senior
54 J.T. Trammell Sophomore
57 Jimmy Cook Junior
60 T.J. Bartczak Junior
61 Josh Hester Junior
62 Mark Hall Junior
63 Austin Beavers Junior
64 Levi Bridges Sophomore
66 Matt Cloer Senior
67 Abdon Ortiz Sophomore
69 Jake Petty Junior
70 Noah Ramsey Sophomore
72 Martin Nunez Junior
74 Hunter Sanford Junior
75 Jimmy Mendoza Senior
76 Enrique Romero Junior
77 Jeremy Green Junior
79 Daniel Anderson Sophomore
80 Gabe Shipman Sophomore
81 Stefano Rodriguez Sophomore
84 Tyler Floyd Senior
86 Nick Burns Junior
88 Victor Garcia Junior
89 Pablo Rodriguez Junior
91 Antony Ortiz Junior