**Incase you missed it, you can check out our podcast interview with Coach Poag Here: Christian Heritage Lions Podcast
The Skinny
Last season, Coach Jay Poag and his Christian Heritage Lions made great strides on the gridiron, as the Lions made it back to the playoffs for the 4th time in school history after a two-year absence. The Lions did graduate some talent from the 2018 team. We asked Coach Poag about the biggest challenge for the 2019 Lions.
“Replacing the production of 4 graduated seniors (2 were All State…Zach Gentry and Duane Jones),” Poag said.
But even with the loss of two All-State players, there is reason for optimism up in Dalton.
“We return the other 18 starters plus a Pre-Season All State kicker,” added Poag.
While the Lions will be looking for a new signal caller on offense, they return their top two running backs in sophomore Gage Leonard and Senior Ethan Smith. The one-two punch for the Lions gained over 1,000 yards and 10-TDs in 2018. Evan Lester returns as the team’s leading receiver. As a sophomore, Lester garnered All-Region honors.
Defensively for the Lions, linebacker Ben Williams racked up a team high 150 total tackles in 2018. His efforts earned him an All-Region selection last year. Mitchell Herndon will join Williamson at linebacker. Herndon was 3rd on the team in total tackles last season with 116. In the secondary, Solomon Locke returns to lead the defensive backs unit.
Joe Dixon returns at kicker for the Lions. Last season he was 32 for 33 on extra points. And as Coach Poag mentioned before, Dixon is a Pre-Season All-State selection at kicker.
We asked Coach Poag if there were nay games circled on the schedule.
“Three huge road games,” he said, “Mt Zion, Darlington, and North Cobb Christian”
When we asked Coach Poag about his outlook for the season he said:
“We feel like we’re ready to compete for a region championship.”
