About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 2, 2020)
2B Midweek Edition - September 2-3, 2020 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com SPORTS FOOTBALL 2020: LAKEVIEW ACADEMY LIONS Sponsored by Northeast Georgia Health System Lions look for success with Shaw Lakeview Academy coach Lee Shaw watches players go through drills August 28 in Gainesville. SCOTT ROGERS I The Times New Lakeview Academy coach wants to build new tradition after year away from the game MOUNT PARAN CHRISTIAN at Darlington WALKER TOWNS COUNTY at Coosa at Fellowship Christian KING’S RIDGE CHRISTIAN MOUNT PISGAH CHRISTIAN ST. FRANCIS PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN BY BILL MURPHY bmurphy@gainesvilletimes.com Hiring Lee Shaw as head coach has given Lakeview Academy’s football program a shot of adrenaline. One of the state’s most successful coaches over the past 15 years, the former Flowery Branch High coach was tabbed to take over the Lions’ program March 6, just one year removed from a seven-year run at Rabun County. Shaw initially retired after a trip to the state quarterfinals at Rabun County in 2018, handing off the Wildcats’ program to his son Jaybo, who was quarterback for his father at Flowery Branch. Shaw has guided every team he’s coached to the postseason since 2005, including a trip to the state championship game at Flowery Branch (2008) and Rabun County (2017). Now the 30-year coaching veteran is look ing to put in a blueprint for success with the Gainesville private school, which plays in the nine-team Region 6-A against King’s Ridge Christian, St. Francis, Fellowship Christian and Pinecrest Academy, among others. Since starting its football program in 2007, Lakeview Academy has yet to make the playoffs. Shaw doesn’t mind one more rebuilding project in his career, which also included a five-year stint as White County’s head coach from 1995-99. Lakeview Academy went 2-7 last season and last experienced a winning mark in Schedule ■ September 4 ■ September 11 ■ September 25 ■ October 2 ■ October 9 ■ October 16 ■ October 23 ■ October 30 ■ November 13 ■ November 20 2012, when it went 6-2. “My past has been where I have gravi tated to those programs that need a boost,” said Shaw. “There’s still a lot of unknowns here at Lakeview Academy with no spring football and no preseason games, but these kids are hungry for success.” The new Lakeview Academy coach said he’ll continue to run a wide-open offense where he tries to get the ball in his playmak- ers hands. The Lions will have either senior Ben Puckett or senior Jesse Whiting, who transferred from Jackson County, at quarter back when the season opens against Mount Paran Christian on Friday in Gainesville. “This is the same offense I’ve run since 2006 at Flowery Branch,” Shaw said. “But it’s not just throwing the ball all over the place.” Shaw said both will be instrumental in the offense, regardless of which one wins the starting quarterback job. “They’re both really good athletes and will be part of our entire scheme,” Shaw said. At running back, Lakeview Academy will feature senior Bodie Blackwell, along with sophomores Landon Hanes and Luke Coo per. At wide receiver, Sam Perrott, Skyler Thellman and James Michael Harrison are going to be the primary targets. With a roster of only 32 players, Shaw is getting creative with keeping players well versed on playing both sides of the ball. On the line of scrimmage, Christian Haynes and Parker Allen are ready to play offense and defense. With some time, Shaw wants to identify guys up front who he can count on to specialize on either offense or defense. Cooper and Haynes will be starting linebackers. The Lions should be excited about the future under Shaw. Since 2006, the new Lions coach has put together 11 seasons with at least 10 victories. To fill out his staff, Shaw has brought in many of his former players, including for mer Flowery Branch defensive lineman Izaaan Cross, who went on to a successful career at Georgia Tech, as defensive line Roster 1. Andrew Pope WR/LB Jr. 2. Landon Hanes RB/LB So. 4. Skyler Thellman WR/LB Sr. 5. Conley Millwood WR/LB Sr. 6. Sam Perrott WR/DB Jr. 7. Luke Cooper RB/LB So. 8. Ben Puckett QB/DB Sr. 9. Arshaq AN WR/DB Sr. 10. Bodie Blackwell RB/DB Sr. 11. James Harrison WR/DB Sr. 12. Toni Reyes WR/DB So. 14. Jesse Whiting WR/LB Sr. 15. Bryce Ramsey K Fr. 17. Cannon Deringer WR/DB Fr. 21. Drew Grabau WR/LB Sr. 22. Kastian Haynes WR/DL Fr. 23. Roman Yaskulka RB/LB Sr. 24. Tyler Peck WR/DB Sr. 25. Jacob Davenport WR/DB Fr. 32. Griffin Brock WR/LB Sr. 50. Jack Williams OL/DL Sr. 51. Christian Haynes OL/DL Sr. 52. Hunter Allen OL/DL Jr. 54. Stuart Daniel OL/DL Fr. 60. Liam Plaisted OL/DL Fr. 61. Sam Carter OL/DL Jr. 65. Thomas Berry OL/DL So. 66. Evan Yaskulka OL/DL Fr. 70. Hamil Owens OL/DL Jr. 71. Tanner Allen OL/DL Jr. 75. Charlie Peck OL/DL Fr. 77. Parker Allen OL/DL Sr. coach. Offensive line coach Tom Hall and linebackers coach John Cumiskey both have head-coaching experience in their background. RANDALL ROYS I For The Times The Gainesville High volleyball team celebrates after winning the Hall County Championship on Saturday in Gainesville. HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL Gainesville wins all five matches to repeat as the Hall County champions Garrish led the way for Lady Red Elephants The Gainesville High vol leyball team made a clean sweep of all five matches to claim the Hall County Cham pionship on Saturday. The Lady Red Elephants beat Lakeview Academy, Cherokee Bluff and East Hall in pool play. In the semifinals, Gainesville beat Chestatee (25-14,25-18), then in championship topped Lakeview Academy (25-10, 25-10) for the county title. Isabella Garrish had 91 assists, three aces, five kills and 24 assists to lead Gainesville, while Caroline Reisman had four aces, 19 assists and 16 digs. Also for the Lady Red Elephants, Ansley Turner had a pair of aces with 37 kills and 29 digs. Lauren Ware chipped in three aces, 23 kills and 20 digs for Gainesville. Compiled by Bill Murphy complete orthopedic &c sports medicine (just yards away) nghs.com/complete-ortho I 770-609-1580 Northeast Georgia Medical Center
