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War Eagles hoping team unity will bring them closer to state title

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

After the 2004 football season ended, the members of the landark Christian School varsity football team continued to meet and eat lnch with each other several times a week. They discussed what their goals for the following season would be and they came up with the theme that they would take with them through workouts in the weight room and practices in the summer heat. That theme is “Band of Brothers,” and head coach Kenny Dallas sees that his players have taken that theme to heart.

“John 15:13 says ‘Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends,” said Dallas. “This is very representative of what this group of players is. They love football and they love each other.”

Dallas has seen this team grow into confident leaders. After opening last season with a 1-4 record, the War Eagles won six games in a row and gave Bremen a run for their money in the second round of the state playoffs before falling 40-39 in the second overtime. Dallas thinks the strides made last year will carry over into this season and with eight starters returning on offense and six starters returning on defense this could be a big year for the team which is seeking their fourth consecutive region title.

Among the returning players poised to have big seasons are Miles King, a wide receiver who rushed for 678 yards, had 458 yards of receiving and scored 16 touchdowns. Keep in mind that King was out of several games lst year due to injury.

“When the ball is in hands, there is no telling what will happen,” said Dallas. “He just has outstanding ability.”

Also returning is quarterback Matt Moody, now in his second year at the half of the Landmark offense. Moody passed for over 1,700 yards last year and had 21 touchdowns while only throwing 10 interceptions.

“Matt’s greatest strength is his mind,” said Dallas. “He stays cool and collected in the pocket and after playing behind Alex Mortensen as a freshman he learned how to do things the right way.”

Others returning to the offense include Mike Geeslin, Trey Strickland, Tommy Kinney and Jimmy Eden.

Dallas is also excited about three senior linebackers. They are Tim Creamer, a middle linebacker with 73 tackles and 49 assists last season; Tyler Chapman, an outside linebacker with 87 tackles and four caused fumbles last season and Zech Glaize, an outside linebacker with 67 tackles and 5.5 quarterback sacks. Others returning to the defense include Strickland, Matt Johnson and Nathan Hunter.

Landmark will know very early on just how good they really are. Three of their first five games are against opponents ranked in the top 10 in pre-season polls (Twiggs County, sixth; Bowdon, third and Bremen, ninth). Dallas also expects the region schedule to be tight with Whitfield Academy featuring Cameron Heyward, one of the top players in Class A, and Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy looking to return to the state playoffs in just their second year in GHSA play.

“The one thing I do not question about this team is their work ethic, love for each other, and their deep resolve to accomplish their goals this year,” said Dallas. He feels his team has prepared to the best of their abilities for the upcoming season and now it’s time to play.