Christian Heritage

Head coach: Jay Poag (34-32 here and overall)

Returning starters: 7 offensive; 8 defensive

Last year’s record: 4-7 overall, lost in GHSA Class A private first round

Key players: Eli Thomason (5-10, 190) Sr. RB, Daniel Geil (6-4, 225) Sr. DE, Jaylon Gay (5-10, 200) So. RB, Wyatt Brumlow (5-9, 175) Sr. WR, Sam Wooten (6-2, 210) So. DB, Carter Triplett (6-4, 220) So. QB, Carson Russell (5-10, 170) Jr. K, Camp Carpenter (5-10, 175) Sr. DB

Season outlook: The regular season will be a bit different for Poag’s team because of the GHSA’s most recent reclassification.

One of the state’s smallest schools by enrollment, Christian Heritage was placed in the smallest region in the smallest class, 7-A in Division II. As a result, the Lions will play just two region games (versus Mount Zion-Carroll and Bowdon) and are guaranteed a playoff spot.

The bad news is they had to find eight nonregion games, resulting in a slate Poag said will “take us from Nashville to Asheville and a lot of places in between.” However, there is excitement in getting to play new opponents such as Tennessee’s Ezell-Harding, North Carolina’s Asheville Christian and Georgia’s Pickens and St. Francis.

“It’s an interesting schedule with a lot of quality teams,” Poag said. “The newness of where we are going will keep us motivated. Every week will have a new story, so it’s exciting.”

The Lions, despite the graduation of three-year starting quarterback Christian Thomas and threetime 1,000-yard rusher Solomon Locke, should also be exciting with a slew of returning starters and newcomers. Those include Triplett, a raw but strong-armed transfer who is also a threat in the running game.

Thomason is now the featured back after shining as Locke’s backup with more than 600 yards and will be joined by speedy sophomore Gay. Wyatt Brumlow — the team’s fastest player, Poag said — and 6-5 Braden Koneman will be the top receivers, while two-way star Geil and 300-pounders Kyrese Broome and B.K. Blansit will anchor the lines.

“It’s the biggest group of seniors I’ve had with 17,” Poag said. “We’ll be all seniors and sophomores — the sophomore class is very talented. If we keep everybody healthy, as small as we are numbers-wise, we could have a special season.”