The defending 2A state champs have alot of everything. A strong defense that returns a solid core of linebackers. A running game that could give defenses fits. Tons of questions marks at key positions.

The Warriors, who won 14 games a year ago, are searching for a signal caller. The battle will come down to two sophomores: John Walker and David Selders. Both are powerful runners with decent arms that allow them to stretch a defense.

But with any small school, depth is always the issue. Head coach Zephaniah Powell has around 50 players on his roster to start the season but with guys having to play both ways, that could show its ugly head deeper in the season.

The East Ascension Spartans are hoping to build on their 11 win season from 2018 and advance even further than their quarterfinal finish.

Head coach Darnell Lee has five starters back on each side of the ball, and he's hoping that experience will be a catalyst to push his team even further in 2019.

Coach has made it a point of emphasis this summer to be sure and practice smarter, not harder.  "Eliminating unnecessary  injuries which we had four guys lost last year to ACL. I think two of them could have been avoided. But it happens. So just playing smart. And building team chemistry," Lee said of the importance of summer work outs.  

Quarterback Cameron Jones is the perfect fit for Lee's spread offense and receivers Steven McBride and Jeron Johnson figure to be big targets for this offensive attack.

Defensively linebackers Javon Carter and Jerrell Boykins each have in-state offers and will be anchors for the Spartans.

"I think overall, we'll be a better team as a unit. Just with these guys being together so long. We brought some of these younger guys up last year so they got a taste of it. So for them to go to the quarterfinals last year that's the expectation now," Lee added. 

East Ascension starts their season against Zachary. 

The Dutchtown Griffins paid the price on the field in 2018, and now head coach Guy Mistretta and his team are hoping to cash in on their experience with a successful 2019 season.

After a 5-5 run and a number of injuries, Mistretta feels like his team is battle-tested and ready to use some of those tough moments to their advantage. "Last year we had more injuries than we've ever dealt with before, it made for a struggling season, but the flip side of that is we got a lot of young guys with experience, so we feel good from that standpoint," Mistretta said at their spring game.

The Griffins are looking at three different senior options at the quarterback position, Steven Winfield, Brayden Fritchie and Logan Scott are the options.  Scott is a converted defensive back who is also the younger brother of former Zachary star qb Lindsey Scott. 

"The scheme, knowing what we're doing with the ball, this offfseason is really big for us, more so in the 7 on 7, than it has been in the past, we've got db's that have to develop the confidence and more work and we need to develop a quarterback," Mistretta said of his offseason's work. 

Helping the process will be a group of four returning offensive lineman as well as running back Brayden Lewis.