When a football team graduates two seniors who accounted for over 3,000 yards rushing last season, optimistic isn’t the first word that would come to mind when describing that team’s mindset entering its new season. Landmark Christian School’s War Eagles and head coach Kenny Dallas are quite optimistic, though, and are chomping at the bit to start the 2007 season.

“Our upside has the potential to be very high,” said Dallas.

The team is led by 11 seniors, including running back Walter Lenard, receivers Jimmy Eden and Matt Thornton, offensive lineman Daniel Byrd and defensive lineman Brock Pollard.

“It’s just an outstanding senior class,” said Dallas. “This is a very vocal group and it is lots of fun to see them stand up and lead.”
Though four members of last year’s offensive line and the starting quarterback and running back graduated, Landmark Christian is retooling with what Dallas considers “good tools to replace them with.” Juniors Tanner Bryant and Cole Abernathy are both competing for the starting quarterback position and both will figure into this year’s offense, as will Eden, Lenard and Thornton.

Describing Eden, Dallas stated unequivocally, “He’s as exciting a player as I have ever been around.”

The War Eagles under Dallas have always preferred to play around their personnel and not a particular system, and Dallas feels his offense has some strength.

There may be some obstacles early on. Byrd is the only returning starter on the offensive line. Sophomores Nate Terry and Shelden Peters will start on the line this year, as will junior Cody Crook, a former starter on the defensive line.

The defense has less question marks and should be very strong. Only two starters from last year’s defense graduated, and this year’s defense will be based around linebackers Luke Griffith and Andrew Glaize. Defensive back Blake Wyatt is a returning starter ,and Brock Pollard and sophomore Josh Gephardt should also figure big this year for Landmark.

“This is just a solid group,” said Dallas. “They practice hard and they love to play and run.”
The defense has also received a boost from new defensive line coach JC Randall. Randall, a former player for the University of South Carolina and Georgia Southern, is also the head strength coach for the team. Another new assistant coach for the War Eagles is Phil Williams, a former head coach for Douglas County High School, who will also serve as the head baseball coach this spring.

The kicking duties will once again be handled by Trey Stalnaker (kickoffs) and Nathan Baldwin (PAT and field goals).

Landmark Christian has won five region championships in a row and has lost four state playoffs games in the last four years by a total of 12 points. The War Eagles know how fine the line is between winning and losing, but Dallas is only concerned with his team giving its best effort.

“I’m never afraid to lose,” said Dallas. “I just want our team to play as hard as they can and give their greatest effort.”

Landmark’s region, 5-A, continues to improve, which means the War Eagle’s schedule gets harder every year. The biggest competition in the region is Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy, but Whitefield Academy played everybody close last year on its way to a winning record and schools like Mt. Pisgah, Fellowship Christian and Our Lady of Mercy are all starting to find their feet and build their programs up.

Every coach worth his salt knows that his own team is the biggest opposition they will face, though, and Dallas believes in this year’s team.
He is downright optimistic and apparently has every reason to be.

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