The Skinny
Sean Calhoun begins his third season as head coach of the Carrollton Trojans. The Trojans are another program in the state that is steeped in rich football tradition. The Trojans are 7-time state champs. Coach Calhoun has taken the Trojans to the 3rd round of the playoffs in each of his first two seasons. We asked Coach Calhoun what his biggest challenge was for the 2018 season.
He said, “Preparing my student-athletes mentally for a 15 game season.”
On offense at the skill positions, the Trojans have to replace the production of Mark Wright at quarterback; All-State running back Jaylan Thomas and wide receiver Dalton Benefield. Kashif Taylor appears to be the next in line to start at quarterback for the Trojans. Taylor played meaningful minutes last season as a sophomore, passing for 642 yards and 8 TDs.
Kode Brewer, the team’s second leading rusher in 2017, is poised to step in and fill the void left by Thomas. Isaiah Lancaster and Miles McLendon both return to lead the Trojans receiving corps. Lancaster was second on the team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs in 2017.
While the young Trojans are figuring things out at the skill positions, Carrollton returns Johnathan Mason and Kayliek Dunson on the offensive line. Coach Calhoun will be relying on these two to anchor the line and pave the way for the Trojans ground game.
Defensively, the Trojans will be led by All-State linebacker, Kevin Swint. Swint led the team in tackles (102) and recorded a team-high 18 sacks in 2017. Swint will be teamed up with another young linebacker, sophomore Chaz Chambliss. Chambliss recorded 12 sacks in his freshmen season and was tied for second in total tackles with 97.
The defensive line returns Malachi Moten and Robert Johnson. While Reid Dedman and Jacob Cotton return in the secondary.
We asked Coach Calhoun if there was a game that was circled on the schedule.
“Our scrimmage because it is the first one!” he said.
When asked how success will be defined for the Trojans this season, Coach Calhoun said, “Getting my student-athletes to perform at 100% on the field and in the classroom.”
