By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

Despite going 2-8 last year and learning the system of their third coach in as many years, the landmark Christian War Eagles varsity football team is playoff bound. That's right. Before one minute of one game has been played, the War Eagles are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs at the end of the season. Thanks to the classification shuffle, Landmark is in 5-A with three other teams.

How their season will go is another question but the War Eagles are sure to see a major difference from last year's record.

Landmark returns to the Ironman system of play and returns five starters on offense and defense. Senior Stephen Pass will play tackle and defensive tackle, while Chris Rentz, also a senior, will play halfback and defensive back. Ben King, a junior, will play guard and linebacker, while Ray Ross, another junior, will play guard and defensive tackle. Sophomore Sean Hill returns to the fold playing halfback and defensive back.

The War Eagles will run the Wing T offense his season, trying to run the ball more, use up the clock and rest their defense, while hopefully wearing their opponents defense out. Coach Fred Gilkeson, also the wrestling coach at Landmark, will lead the team this year and hopes to see the War Eagles as one of the top two teams in the region.

Their schedule should be challenging and fun to watch. In the month of September, they open their season at Wesleyan, host Madison County, Ala., travel to Athens Academy and then to Gordon Lee and then close out the month at home against Adairsville.

Though the team is assured of making the playoffs, don't expect Landmark to rest on their laurels. This is a team that wants to distance themselves from a disappointing season and head into the playoffs with momentum.

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