Long-time QB Cooper Scott might be gone, but this team is LOADED and fresh off their best season in school history under coach Heath Webb, who has generated an insanely quick turnaround for the Lumpkin County program. Cal Faulkner moves to the QB position and will stand a great chance to help guide this team into the region title conversation and a hopeful deep playoff run.

Head Coach: Heath Webb, 2nd season
2022 Record: 8-3; Region Runner-Up; 1st Round

“We expect to compete for a region championship,” says Webb. “We know it will be hard fought in a region with a lot of parity, but we think we can be in the thick of it.”

2023 SCHEDULE – LUMPKIN COUNTY

AUG 18 @ RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY

AUG 27 vs UNION COUNTY

SEP 1 @ FRANKLIN COUNTY

SEP 8 @ TEMPLE

SEP 15 BYE

SEP 22 @ PICKENS ^

SEP 29 vs WESLEYAN ^

OCT 6 vs GILMER ^

OCT 13 BYE

OCT 20 vs WHITE COUNTY ^

OCT 27 @ DAWSON COUNTY ^

NOV 3 @ WEST HALL ^

^REGION 7-AAA GAME

Personnel & Schemes

Key Departures: Cooper Scott, Tavian Lawrence, Caleb Norrell, Carter Disanto, Jay Grizzle

No doubt the leadership of Cooper Scott is going to be missed, and the hard-nosed play of Tavian Lawrence and the play-making of Caleb Norrell and Carter Disanto.

Returning Starters: 9 on offense; 7 on defense

Key Returning Players: Cal Faulkner, Mason Sullens, Will Wood, Harper Davenport, Dakota Bennett, Gerald Walker, Walker Scott, Preston Cox, Connor Greilich

The conversation starts with Cal Faulkner, Mason Sullens, and Will Wood! But there is incredible talent with Harper Davenport, Dakota Bennett, Gerald Walker, and Walker Scott on returning players. Add in Preston Cox and Connor Greilich, and it’s a great look for the Indians.

Up & Coming Players: Nolan Matthews, Luke Evans, Cal Faulkner*

“We have high hopes for WR/DBs Nolan Matthews (sophomore. 2022 JV MVP) and rising senior Luke Evans,” says Webb. “They should fill the holes left by Caleb Norrell and Tavion Lawrence (both graduated) and Cal Faulkner (moving to QB).”

Offense: Multiple spread

With top WR Cal Faulkner moving to QB, his athleticism will reach a new level. There’s no doubt he has the IQ and the speed and agility to run, but seeing him throw the ball will be intriguing. Senior Mason Sullens runs it back as the bell-cow back coming off his first 1,000-yard season. Go-to receivers will be Luke Evans and Nolan Matthews.

Defense: Multiple 3-4 

A solid, top-10 state-ranked defense returns 7 starters. Among those will be LB Will Wood and FS Harper Davenport, along with DL Dakota Bennett to lead the efforts.

Trenches: “Good!,” exclaims Webb. “A strength of our team. All five OL starters return as each started all 11 games. They’re also bigger and stronger with quality backups. We return 2/3 DL starters.”

Strengths & Areas of Focus

Strengths: “Experience,” states Webb. “We’ve got a ton of experience coming back.” 

Focusing On: “We needed to gain more depth,” adds Webb. “We were 7-0 on JV last year but those guys weren’t ready for big-time Friday night football. That’s changed now. Our rising 10th graders will provide quality depth and even compete for starting roles.”

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