By Josh Vardaman
The Grace Christian Academy Lions enter their second year as a sanctioned TSSAA team hoping to build on what was an overall solid first year.
The Lions may have only gone 3-7 on the season, but they captured their first TSSAA win in school history in their season opener against McEwen and won their first home game two weeks later against Summertown.
While some talent graduated from last year’s team, there are plenty of pieces back – though, head coach Rusty Smith said there are only about 30 kids on the roster – for the Lions to try and build a positive, winning culture at GCA.
Lions’ Offense
Junior quarterback Austin Amor is back this season and will lead the Lions’ offense.
Last season, Amor and graduate Dylan Woods (Maryville) helped create what was, at times, a very potent attack that averaged 28 points per game.
Senior running back Gavin Ford is looking to be one of the key pieces to try and replace Woods’ output from last season, while wide receiver Nich Whitson is looking to be one of Amor’s favorite targets on the outside.
The Lions also bring back two members of their offensive line from last season in Cole Chapman and Oliver Hunter.
Lions’ Defense
Not only was Woods one of the Lions best offensive weapons a season ago, but he also was a leader on defense. GCA will have to have others step up on the defensive side of the ball this season to try and improve on the 38 points per game it gave up last year.
Hunter, a defensive end, and Whitson, a safety, will surely bring a lot of leadership to the defense this season, and sophomore Cole Scott could see quite a bit of time in the linebacking corps.
Overview
If GCA is going to build this season on last year’s three wins, it’s going to have to close the season much better than a year ago. After starting 3-2, the Lions lost their last five contests by an average of 28 points each.
With just about 30 guys on the roster, every player will be relied upon to step up and find a role on the team. The 13 juniors on the roster will also have to show a lot of leadership with just two seniors on the team.
The Lions’ hope is their overall bond throughout the lineup will take them to more wins in Year 2.
GCA’s season kicks off Aug. 26 at home against McEwen.
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