Coach Matt Land
Q. How would you characterize this year’s team?
A. This is a very young but hardworking team.
Q. What will be the keys to your success?
A. We must mature early and get as much game-type experience as we can.
Q. Who will be your key leaders on the team?
A. After graduating 19 starters, we will be led on offense by JP Tighe (Sr., QB), Dylan Cole (Sr., OL), Isaac Turner (Sr., OL), Chandler Starks (Sr., WR), Gavin Defoor (Sr., WR), and Jai’den Montgomery (Sr., WR). Defensively, we will be led by Lorenzo Garcia (Sr., DL), Jerry Alvarado (Sr., DE), Noah Bartoo (Sr., LB), Ethan Carroll (Sr., LB), Harrison Norman (Sr., OLB), Harrison Hughes (Sr., DB), Grant Goldberg (Sr., DB), and Nasir Love-Porter (Sr., DB).
Q. What are your biggest reasons for optimism?
A. This is one of the hardest working and selfless teams we have had.
Q. What will keep you up at night?
A. Injuries and depth at key positions.
Q. What can you build on from last year?
A. The great thing about Dalton is the expectation to win. Last year validated all the hard work our guys put in all year long.
Q. Any lessons learned from last year?
A. I think that too many times we underestimate the power of the moment. Sometimes, things don’t make sense on paper until you get into a game situation.
Q. How would you characterize your team’s speed?
A. Overall, our team speed will be good. There are positions where we may be able to take advantage of matchups throughout the season.
Coach’s View
This will be another year of stiff competition early on with quality local teams but more competitive particularly during region play. Teams continued to develop depth and experience as the year went on last season. Most of us have graduated some key seniors, but a few teams return nationally ranked players which will provide key challenges for us especially if we want to repeat as region champions.
Photos by Doug Smith
Gavin Defoor and JP Tighe
Noah Bartoo
Harrison Hughes
JP Tighe
Jai’den Montgomery
Harrison Norman
Harrison Hughes and Nasir Love-Porter
