NETTLETON RAIDERS
Conference: 5A-East
Head coach: Donnie Tennison
Record last year: 8-5, 5-2
Points scored, points allowed: 461-410
Playoff appearances since 1968: 16
Last playoff appearance: 2006
Playoff record: 7-16

Key returning starters: FB/LB Matt Johnson, FL/DB Matt Akers, SE/LB Caleb Gragg, OT Cody Jones, DL T.J. Long, DL Luke Fortson, DB Bray Brooks, DE Otto Collins, LB Corey Felts, LB Josh McGinnis.

Outlook: Head coach Donnie Tennison's first group that he coached from sophomores to senior matched the school's longest march into the playoffs last year before losing to eventual state champion Greenwood. Nettleton finished 8-5 overall. Only four starters return from an offense that racked up 461 points. Running back Derek Lawson, who set the state's single-season rushing record a year ago with 3,093 yards, is among those that graduated. Lawson was a workhorse for the Raiders, toting the ball 336 times and scoring 37 touchdowns out of the spread offense. While the offense will be mostly rebuilt in 2007, the defense should be strong with nine incumbents back. Linebackers Matt Johnson and Caleb Gragg will be among the best in the conference. Defensive lineman Luke Fortson and Otto Collins and defensive back Matt Akers will also lead the stop group that did allow 410 points a year ago.

Comments from Tennison: "We struggled a lot last year as a team on defense. With nine starters coming back and a few others that saw playing time, defense should be much improved. We have a good number of returning starters, especially on defense, and lettermen coming back. The skill people on offense should be above average. The success that we had last year should increase our confidence and expectations to be successful."