As Bob Christmas begins his third season at the helm of the Trojans, he said one noticable change has taken place - albeit by design.
"We go into every game now expecting to win. It wasn't that way when I came here and the kids are to be given credit for working hard and believing in themselves," Christams said.
The Trojans open the 2003 season against second-year team Flowery Branch Friday night at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard on MAJIC 102.9-FM beginning with The Pregame Show at 7 p.m.
They are coming off an 8-3 season that saw them advance to the playoffs for just the third time in school history. The run ended in the first round with a loss to Cedertown.
"We were hoping to go a little deeper last year but it didn't work out. The kids have been focused on getting back and winning," Christmas said. "The expectations are high from the community and the coaches and players have high expectations. But that's what you look for from a program that is headed in the right direction and ready to take the next step," he said.
It won't be as easy this year with only 10 of 21 starters returning. The most noticeable difference will be at quarterback, where senior Corey Hutchins returns to the spot where he started two years ago.
"Corey probably wasn't ready to be the quarterback as a sophomore but we asked him too and he played his heart out," Christmas said. "But since then he's gotten bigger, stronger, smarter and is turning into a team leader. We feel very good about him being back there."
The Trojans also will have another solid backfield group in Michael Christmas and Bo Whitemire returning at running back. T.J. Pitts is a move-in at fullback but has been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.39 seconds.
"T.J. is going to be a big part of this offense. He can really run," Christmas said.
Dan Brown and Justin Hood return to give Hutchins an experienced group of receivers to throw too.
As far as opening against Flowery Branch, which went 0-10 last year, Christmas said this is a new year.
"They've gotten bigger and stronger and they've been competitive in scrimmages this year. We're not going to look past anyone and I'm sure Flowery Branch is ready for us. It'll be a good test to see where we are," Christmas said. "I know one thing though: we're a better football now than we were last year."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/9/173757