One step at a time.

That’s the McIntosh Chiefs’ unofficial motto this season under their new head coach, Glenn Griffin.

It’s the first time in Griffin’s 27-year coaching career that he’s a head coach.

And, boy, did he accept a challenge.

Dating back to 1982, when Ronald Reagan was president of the United States and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was released, McIntosh has been one of the worst teams in the state, with a dismal winning percentage of .282.

Griffin, who previously served as Starr’s Mill’s defensive coordinator since the school’s inception in 1997, is confident that he is the right man to turn around McIntosh’s moribund program.

He realizes, however, that it would be unwise to put a timetable on when McIntosh will develop into a winner.

“I cannot come in and make a prediction on how quickly we will be successful,” Griffin said. “I do know what it takes to win. How long it takes is a different story. I do know that the kids here truly want to be better and have a successful program. And I will tell you this — I wouldn’t have taken this job if I didn’t think I could be successful here.”

Another new addition to McIntosh’s coaching staff is highly regarded offensive coordinator Brad Campbell.

Campbell has a history of running productive, high-scoring offenses; He won a state championship working as Carrollton’s offensive coordinator years ago, and he played an integral role in producing an offense that helped Newnan reach the semifinals a few years back.

“Knowing how difficult it is to score, what Brad brings to the table is a lot of experience,” Griffin said. “He’ll base this offense on what we can do.”

Campbell, who also works as McIntosh’s quarterbacks coach, inherits a three-way battle at quarterback.

Clay Carroll (6-0, 175), Cam Porter (5-10, 160) and John Koob (6-0, 185) are vying to lead McIntosh’s multiple I-back system. Griffin said he will likely deploy a quarterback by committee.

“Each quarterback has some things better than others,” Griffin said.

Carroll is the most versatile — he can play both running back and wide receiver due to his size — Porter has the best grasp of the offense thus far, and Koob has perhaps the strongest arm.

McIntosh’s starting backfield consists of running back Darius Miliam (6-0, 170) and fullback Joe Trevena (5-11, 170). Two backups, running back Daiyaan Epps (5-8, 155) and fullback Bryan Nonni (5-9, 165), also will receive extensive playing time.

Campbell’s offenses have been known for putting up big numbers through the air.
That could mean starting wide receivers Nathan Enzor (6-1, 175) and Nick Morrow (5-11, 160) and starting tight end Jeremy Thompson (6-2, 190) will see many passes thrown their way.

“Our receivers are excited in this offense,” Griffin said. “They like the idea of being able to catch the ball.”
Wide receiver Tyler Schrama (5-11, 165) and tight end Trevor Marks (6-3, 200), a basketball player who has never played football before, both backups, will get on the field often, as well.

McIntosh’s offensive line, which Griffin views as the strength as of the team’s offense, is big and physical.

Center Tyler Moore (6-2, 215), guards Taylor Peaden (6-2, 225) and Sean Carney (5-10, 240) and tackles Patrick Wells (5-10, 230) and Taylor Peterson (6-3, 255) make up McIntosh’s starting offensive line.

Tackles Joey Giamfortone (5-11, 250), Brandon Kilgore (6-2, 260) and Jay Kee (5-9, 215), center Caleb Peterson (6-3, 245) and guards Brett Stevens (5-10, 185) and Gavin Carlson (5-9, 150) also are in the mix along the offensive line.

McIntosh’s 3-3 stack defense features a defensive line that Griffin feels is filled with potential.

“I think our defensive line has a chance to be good,” Griffin said. “The problem is, they all play on offense, too.”

Carney mans the nose tackle position, and he is flanked by defensive ends Peaden and Thompson. All three have one trait in common — quickness.

Nose tackle Peterson and defensive ends Marks and Devante Crowder (6-3, 245), another basketball player, will be a part of the defensive line rotation.

McIntosh has an undersized linebacker corps, but five are active and hold their own despite their size limitations: middle linebacker Andrew Graham (5-10, 155), inside linebackers Trevena and Rickey Oskey (5-9, 160), and outside linebackers Gavin Carlson (5-9, 155) and Carroll.

Carlson, Graham and Oskey are all returning starters. Carlson has a nose for the ball; he is coming off a productive season in which he led McIntosh with 75 total tackles.

“I would say our linebackers would probably be a strength,” Griffin said.
Wells, Nonni, Koob and Daniel Price (5-10, 165) provide depth at linebacker.

The three starters in the secondary are cornerbacks Bradley Larson (5-11, 160) and Epps and free safety Miliam.

Griffin describes all three as “quick and coachable.”

Cornerbacks Enzor and P.J. Frazier (5-8, 150) and safety Nathan Baca (5-9, 155) are expected to contribute as backups.

Strong-legged Matt Mateos, one of McIntosh’s most talented soccer players, will handle all kicking duties.

Griffin feels McIntosh’s first four games, all against opponents outside its region, 5A-AAAA — Forsyth Central, Newton County, Lithia Springs and Northside Columbus — are significantly easier than the games it will play in its subregion , which figures to be problematic for a team seeking considerable improvement in the win-loss column.

“At least on paper, our first four games should be on a little more even field from an athletic standpoint,” Griffin said. “It’s much better than opening with Sandy Creek or Westlake. Our region schedule, though, is brutal. Our half of the region will be extremely competitive.”
McIntosh opens the season August 29 at home against Forsyth Central.

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