The next step: After breakout season in last year, Christian Heritage football looks to repeat success

Published 12:04 am Sunday, May 12, 2019

The Christian Heritage School football team enjoyed a breakout season last year, winning the second most games in program history and earning the program’s first-ever No. 1 ranking in the Georgia High School Association Power Ratings.

The Lions finished with a 7-4 record and first-round playoff loss to Brookstone. At Friday afternoon’s practice, head coach Jay Poag said he’s more than excited about the direction of the program.

“It really started the day after we lost to Brookstone,” Poag said. “When you taste that success, you certainly want to get further and deeper. Expectations are high, and we’ll wake up every Friday morning next fall with the feeling of ‘Let’s go win a football game.'”

The Lions need to replace a few key pieces from last year’s team, including all-purpose player Zach Gentry, lineman Duane Jones, quarterback Matthew Neff and defensive specialist Syd Reece, but the team will return 18 starters from last season. The skill positions on offense will likely be the strength of the team, including running backs Ethan Smith and Gage Leonard. Evan Lester and Solomon Locke will likely be the main targets on the outside for first-year starting quarterback, sophomore Christian Thomas.

“Christian knows the system, he knows the terminology, and now it’s his shot,” Poag said. “He’s got a lot of talent surrounding him, so we’re not asking him to do too much. He’ll have some eye-opening experiences this summer at our 7-on-7 camps, but if he can get the ball to our playmakers he’ll be just fine.”

Poag will be entering his fourth season as the head coach at Christian Heritage and said this is the first year he’s been able to say the offensive line could potentially be a strength. On the other side of the ball, Poag said the this fall’s version of the Christian Heritage defense could possibly be better than last season when the team recorded four shutouts. Bringing back a two-time Daily Citizen-News all-area kicker Joe Dixon is another piece that has Poag feeling confident heading into this next season.

“We have a phenomenal talent at kicker,” Poag said. “We expect him to be one of the top kickers in the state this year.”

With four 7-on-7 passing tournaments scheduled this summer, the Lions will remain busy. Poag said the 2019 schedule presents challenges with road games at Darlington, Mount Zion and North Cobb Christian, but he still exuded confidence in his players at Friday’s practice.

“We know that we’re not gonna sneak up on anybody this year,” Poag said. “They’ll be a target on us, but I think the kids are ready for that. I think last year we learned how to win, and now it’s now it’s time to take that next step.

“We want to compete for championships. That’s the buzz at our school, to go out there and win a region championship.”