Last season ended way too early for the players and coaching staff at Landmark Christian School. Though they won their fourth region title in a row, the War Eagles were upset by Temple in the first round of the state playoffs with a heart-breaking loss in the final moments of the game.

Their quest to erase those memories begins this Friday and taking the helm will be senior quarterback Matt Moody in his second year at the position. Moody is quite comfortable at the position, happy either passing to junior receivers Jimmy Eden or Matt Thornton, handing the ball off to tailbacks Brian Lee or Trey Strickland or taking off and running himself. He has rolled up some big numbers already and will add to the totals this year.

Bryant Tanner, a sophomore is listed as the team’s back-up quarterback, and hopes to get some playing time this year to gain some varsity experience.

The War Eagles graduated a lot of experience though, especially on the offensive line, where there are only four upperclassmen. In fact, there are only nine seniors on the team. Will and Mike Geeslin are two senior offensive lineman listed on the roster, along with Sam Brown, although several upperclassmen playing on the defensive line will likely join them and junior Daniel Byrd.

Defensively, Strickland is expected to make some big plays as a linebacker and he will be joined by sophomore Andrew Glaize, whose brother, Zach, was a key figure on several region championship squads. On the defensive line, senior Jared Crist and juniors Brock Pollard, Vincent Hutcherson and Luke Griffith will try to keep the defense forcing turnovers and changing games.

The biggest game for the team, which is coached by Kenny Dallas, will undoubtedly be the match against Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy. The War Eagles won the match on the road last year, but ELCA is quickly becoming Landmark’s biggest rival in practically all sports. This year’s game should be much closer than last year’s and the winner will likely take home the region crown.

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