Dalton High School 2016

DAL.CoachLandCoach’s Corner
Coach Matt Land

Q: How would you characterize this year’s team?

A: This year’s group is hardworking and very skilled.

Q: What will be the keys to your success?

A: Senior leadership, skilled positions, having an experienced coaching staff, and playing great defense.

Q: Who will be your key leaders on the team? 

A: Kyric McGowan (Sr., WR/DB), Maddux Houghton (Sr., DB), Tucker Sumner (Sr., LB), Max Mainor (Sr., DL), Nick Faulknor (Sr., DE), Jake Brock (Sr., OL), Caden Stokes (Sr., OL), JP Tighe (Jr., QB), Keith Adams (Sr., RB), and Zeke Cobb (Sr., WR).

Q: What are your biggest reasons for optimism?

A: We have good speed at skilled positions, defensive experience, and returning starters at key offensive positions.

Q: What will keep you up at night?Screen Shot 2016-08-26 at 9.43.46 AM

A: Replacing two kickers and a snapper, along with worrying about depth in our lines.

Q: What can you build on from last year?

A: Expectations are high after last season. If we want to succeed again, we’ll have to continue developing our team chemistry and work ethic.

Q: Any lesson’s learned from last year?

A: We learned it’s important to have consistent offensive advancement and strength in communication.

Q: How would you characterize your team’s speed?

A: We have great team speed overall, especially at our skilled positions.

Coach’s View

We welcome some new foes in Sonoraville, South Cobb, and Harrison, renew some old rivalries in Northwest, South Cobb, and Allatoona, and revisit our regulars in Calhoun, Creekview, River Ridge, and Sequoyah. Being a Multiple ”I” offense presents an advantage, in that most of our opponents won’t face an ”I” team prior to us. However, it also creates a challenge for us, because we won’t be able to see how defenses will play conventional tight ends and fullbacks. With hard work and faith in ourselves, we’ll compete regardless of classification or opponent.


Photos by Tony Smith and Doug Smith


Tucker Sumner

Tucker Sumner

Zeke Cobb

Zeke Cobb

Jake Brock

Jake Brock

Kyric McGowan

Kyric McGowan

Maddux Houghton

Maddux Houghton

Keith Adams

Keith Adams

Nick Faulknor

Nick Faulknor

Max Mainor

Max Mainor


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