Two things are certain in life: death and taxes.

A third thing is almost certain: the Sandy Creek Patriots will reach the state playoffs.

The Patriots have made the playoffs five consecutive years, and they expect to get back to the postseason this year. Creek ended last season with a disappointing finish, a 45-14 loss to Flowery Brach in the first round of the state playoffs.

With 16 returning starters (eight on offense, eight on defense), getting back to the playoffs is highly likely.

“We feel we have an established program,” Creek coach Chip Walker said, “and we don’t expect to lose to anybody. Our goal is to win 10 football games, win the region championship and get in the playoffs. We’ve got a good home schedule, and we have a lot of returning starters, but we have to stay healthy.”

Creek’s playoff chances could rest on the shoulders of first-year starting quarterback Rio Johnson, a 6-2, 180-pound junior who will replace two-year starter Jake Turing, who graduated. Johnson played in seven games last season, with no starts, but Walker has complete confidence in the strong-armed, athletic passer.

“Rio has thrown the ball very well for us this summer,” Walker said. “He studies the game of football; he loves to learn. He has a great command of the offense. He has really turned into the leader of the offense.”

Helping make Johnson’s transition from backup to starter easier will be the return of eight starters on offense: running back Josh Williams (5-8, 185), fullback Jonathon Smith (5-10, 185), wide receiver Braxton Lane (5-11, 185), tight end Alex Green (6-0, 230), offensive tackle Christian Ezeagwu (6-0, 230), center Zach Vail (5-11, 240) and guards Jared Rohonen (6-1, 250) and Chris Spaulding (6-0, 275).

Williams was Creek’s leading rusher last season, running 100 times for 503 yards and seven touchdowns. He is a strong, elusive runner who is difficult to tackle once he breaks into the open field.

Two other players will see significant playing time at running back: Ragion Neal (5-10, 185) and Blair Taylor (5-9, 170), both of whom are tough, hard-nosed runners.

Smith’s primary role in the backfield will be to use his tremendous size and power to blow open holes for Creek’s running backs.

When Johnson drops back to pass, he will have a wide array of options. His go-to receiver will likely be Lane, who was Creek’s leading receiver last season, finishing with 40 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns.

One of the top players in the state, Lane is durable — he has started 22 consecutive games over the last two years — athletic and explosive. Creek will find every way possible to get the ball into his hands.

“Braxton is an outstanding athlete,” Walker said. “He gives us big-play capabilities with the ball in his hands. He can take it to the house any time he touches the ball.”

Marc Ellis (6-0, 165) is a superb complement to Lane. Ellis snatches any ball thrown near him and is a precise route runner.

“Marc Ellis probably has improved as much as anybody else on our team,” Walker said. “We expect him to have a big season.”

A trio of sophomores, Patrick Alexander (5-9, 140), Jarrett Davis (5-10, 155) and Devon Hughes (6-0, 170), gives Creek depth and a well-rounded receiving corps.

Green is another potent offensive weapon for the Patriots. He has reliable hands, and his size poses matchup problems for defense. Green is a tough blocker, as well.

Hunter Parrott (6-0, 185) is another sure-handed tight end who will see playing time.

The old adage “Football games are won in the trenches” bodes well for the Patriots; they have only one new starter on their offensive line, and the interior of their line is by far one of the team’s strengths.

Vail anchors Creek’s line at center. He is a dedicated worker — he was one of only two players who made all 30 of Creek’s summer workouts; defensive tackle Michael “Biscuit” Wilburn (5-8, 250) was the other — uses great technique and is intelligent. Vail is the quarterback of the offensive line.

Lined up on the left side of Vail is Creek’s most talented offensive lineman, Rohonen.

“Rohonen is the best offensive lineman we have,” Walker said. “He’s really made himself into a good offensive lineman. He’s an intelligent, hard-nosed kid who moves well.”

Spaulding, a wide-bodied mauler, is Creek’s starting right guard.

Creek’s offensive tackles are Ezeagwu, whom Walker says is the team’s most athletic offensive lineman, and first-year starter John Holman (6-2, 275).

The Patriots’ swing tackle, Charlie Zemko (6-2, 225), should also vie for playing time.

Creek’s 4-3 defense must overcome the loss of two of the top defensive linemen in the state, Fred Jones, who is playing at Indiana, and Rickey Nicholson. But, fortunately for Creek, it still has plenty of talent on defense, including eight returning starters: defensive tackle David Walker (6-2, 280), defensive end Jeremy Holt (6-4, 190), weakside linebacker Zack Hilton (5-11, 185), middle linebacker Matt Solomon (6-0, 190), strongside linebacker Jordan Littlepage (6-1, 190), cornerbacks Josh Holt (5-10, 175) and Jordan Griffin (5-11, 175) and safety Russell Bonner (6-1, 175).

James Hervey (6-2, 245) is the prototypical nose tackle — big, strong and difficult to move. He is one of the strongest kids on the team; he bench-presses 300 pounds and power cleans 300 pounds.

Hervey’s backup, Williams, is one of Creek’s hardest workers and, like Herby, has imposing size.

Alongside Herby is Walker, a big, strong defensive tackle who is a force against the run.

“David Walker could be the best defensive lineman we have,” Chip Walker said.

The starting defensive ends are Brandon Putnam (6-3, 230), who is strong and smart (he has a 3.5 grade-point average), and Jeremy Holt, a rangy, fast lineman and one of the hardest hitters on the team.

Creek’s linebacker crops is led by an elite middle linebacker, Solomon, one of the top players in the region and Creek’s second-leading tackler last season. He has it all — size, speed, instincts and intelligence.

“Matthew Solomon is the best football player on our team,” Walker said. “It doesn’t matter where the ball is, he’ll get to it. He can do it all. He covers routes that we’ve never had linebackers cover before.”

Creek’s starting weakside linebacker, Hilton, a converted cornerback, is strong — he bench-presses 315 pounds — fast and equally adept at dropping into coverage and stuffing the run.

Littlepage starts on the strongside, and he is a scrappy player who is physical at the point of attack. Littlepage’s backup, Spaulding, will also see significant action.

In the secondary, Jordan Griffin stands out as Creek’s top cover corner, and Josh Holt is a physical cornerback who will come up and hit. Both are two-year starters and have 3.4 grade-point averages.

Joining Griffin and Holt in the defensive backfield is Bonner, a punishing hitter with athletic ability. Bonner is the type of player who will make receivers think twice about going across the middle of the field.

One of Creek’s biggest question marks is at free safety. DeChaun Lee (5-11, 160) and Isaiah Johnson (6-1, 170) are competing for the starting spot. Lane also is expected to play at free safety.

Bonner is the Patriots’ punter, and Zach Lopez will handle all the other kicking duties.

Creek plays a difficult schedule, facing five teams that reached the playoffs last season. And the region in which the Patriots play, 6-AAA, is one of the most competitive in the state; Carrollton has won 10 games or more in all but four seasons since 1988, and Cartersville is a state power, as well.

“We have a very tough schedule,” Walker said. “We open with two county-rivalry games (at McIntosh, against Whitewater), and our region is very difficult. A lot of people can argue about our region, but it’s the toughest AAA region in North Georgia.”

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