Lookout Valley

Head coach: Josh Payne (2-27 here and overall)

Returning starters: 9 offensive; 8 defensive

Last year’s record: 0-9 overall, did not qualify for Class 1A playoffs

Key players: Blake Ferguson (6-0, 205) Sr. QB/LB, Jacob Winchester (5-8, 220) Sr. FB/LB, Jaxon Quails (5-10, 185) Sr. RB/LB, Hayden Landreth (6-2, 275) Sr. OL/ DL, Namarian Talley (6-0, 210) So. RB/LB, Jackson Marsh (5-11, 165) Sr. WR/DB, Devon Cooper (6-0, 150) RB/DB

Season outlook: Not only are there 17 total starters back, the majority of those have been multiple-year fixtures in the lineup. The trio of Ferguson, Winchester and Quails give the Yellow Jackets the most experienced backfield in their region.

Overall numbers will always make depth a concern at small schools, but if they can remain healthy, the Yellow Jackets have enough talent to contend for a playoff spot for the first time in four years.

“Not only is this an experienced group coming back, but really it’s even more so due to the number of injuries to upperclassmen last year, which forced us to play a lot of young guys,” Payne said. “That means now we have the upperclassmen back healthy, plus the young guys who filled in last year now have game experience, too.

“We should have some really talented skill players for 1A. The key for us this year, besides obviously staying healthy, is being adaptable and learning multiple positions so we can give each other breaks. Having so many guys that rarely get to come off the field has worn us down and really hurt us late in games the last couple of years. If that changes this season and we’re able to stay fresher longer, we can compete in our league.”