Titans Welcome New Coach, Paladins Return Plenty of Starters

Blessed Trinity

Under first year head coach Tim McFarlin,  has a long way to go and a short time to get there.

After a respectable 6-4 finish in Region 6-AA last year, the Titans will have had to replace a dozen starters who graduated, adjust to a new coaching staff and a whole new system. And, they have to do all that before tonight's season opener against perennial state champion Buford, a last-minute addition to the schedule after Avondale High closed its doors.

"We have a long way to go," McFarlin said. "But our goal is going to be to make the state playoffs each year. I believe we can do that this year."

After a 27-3 win over Class AAAA Sprayberry in a scrimmage game, McFarlin feels like he has his starting line up pretty well set.

Leading the offense will be junior quarterback Spencer McManes (6-2, 205), who McFarlin says runs the option well. "He is still developing but he's very mobile, has a strong arm and good set of wheels."

Offensive line starters include tackles Thomas Pietro (6-4, 275) and Jack Crisafi (6-2, 240) guards Patrick Marsden (6-0, 240) and James Murphy (6-0, 210) and tight end Nathaniel Maggio (6-5, 225). Chris Dore and John Davis will be the starting wide receivers. Casey Bradley is the fullback and Jordan Denson and Sam Roberts will split time at tailback.

Defensively, the line will consist of ends Miles Kinder and Jon Jon Yu and tackle Patrick Morrison. The linebackers are Will Slaten, Liam Walsh and Chris Romero. Roberts and Sam Davis will be safeties and Dore and Cote Dylan will play on the corners.

The opening game against Buford will be a real test for the Titans. The teams are in the same region, but in opposite divisions. McFarlin said he's hopeful playing a team like Buford will help prepare his players for the rugged Region 6-AA schedule.

Fellowship Christian Academy

Look for a big turnaround in football team this year.

Coach Hunter Chadwick's Paladins compete in Region 5-A where they won only two games in 2010; but with 19 starters returning, they have a lot more experience this time around.

Look for immediate improvement on the offense where all 11 starters are back. Senior quarterback Blais Furse should find the real estate a little easier to come by this year operating behind a veteran offensive line.

The big guys returning up front include seniors Jacob Miller, Bo Ibsen and Trent Van Pelt, junior Chad Davenport and sophomore Clay Hostetter. They are big, strong and battle tested.

When the Paladins need to throw the ball, Furse will have a couple of experienced wide receivers to choose from in juniors Conner Linneen and Landon Kadi. Stephen Lantz was the team's leading rusher last year. Tyler Hart will join him in the backfield and will get his share of carries as well. Taylor Cookston is listed as an athlete who could line up either in the backfield or out on the flank.

Lantz, who was also the team's leading tackler, is one of a trio of linebackers who returns, including James Wilson and Travis Kinney. The four down linemen, Miller, Ibsen, Van Pelt and Davenport, are all holdovers. The secondary only returns cornerback Landon Kadi.

"Stephen Lantz, will be a major part of any success we have this season," Chadwick said. " But our offensive line will be the most important part of this team. We hope to be able override the OL throughout the season."

The Paladins shored up the kicking game in the offseason when senior Bryce Wells stepped forward and took over punting and place kicking responsibilities.

Fellowship Christian worked hard during the offseason and hope to show a major improvement over last year.