By Tommy Palmer, www.palmermediagroup.com
Special to MaxPreps.com
The Chamblee Bulldogs finished with their best mark since the 1970's last season at 9-3, and made the playoffs for the first time in 22 years. The good news is that now the 'Dogs of head coach Brent Miller (102-73-1) move to a new region, Class AAA Region 5, with 16 starters returning.
Miller's team was one of the surprises in Class AAAA last season and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs, losing to Rome, 27-17. The playoff appearance came on the heels of a 4-6 record in 2004, Miller's first at the school.
There is no hidden secret to the success that Chamblee enjoyed last year.
"It's very simple...a great work ethic and a strength program which is second to none," Miller said. "When I arrived here, I went to a free-weight system instead of relying totally on machines. It's worked wonders for the overall strength and quickness of our players."
Miller definitely has players, some of the nation's finest, such as Roddy Jones, a 5-9, 190-pound running back, who recently ran a 4.42 forty. Jones has 40 touchdowns and almost 3,000 yards in rushing over the past two seasons in Miller's Tight-Slot offense.
Jones has offers on the table from Georgia Tech, Maryland, Akron and Clemson.
Academics are not a problem at Chamblee, a charter/magnet school for music in Dekalb County. Jones is pre-qualified with 1360 on his SAT and a GPA of 3.2.
Jones is not Miller's only weapon. There's also 6-5 tight end Nicolai Swartzkopf. The 225-pound senior has a GPA of 3.4 and he's qualified to play at the next level, as well.
Two youngsters will run the Bulldog offense and Miller likes both of them.
"They are young but they can play. Both are in the tenth grade...but they are good athletes," Miller said.
Garett Williams and Warren Norman - the fastest of the two (4.6) - will see duty at the quarterback spot.
Miller likes for his teams to play smashmouth football on both sides of the ball, and he's got a defense that's more than capable. The split-six defense Miller employs is anchored by defensive tackle Amorgie Uzzi, a 6-4, 290-pounder.
"I'd like to think that we can make a run at the region and state playoffs again this year," Miller said. "We've got some talent returning...plus we have had some success in the summer passing leagues...and at 7-on-7 tournaments."
Last season's playoff games did wonders for Miller's Bulldogs. It instilled the confidence in them that they can indeed play at the next level of competition. The 2006 season is just ahead, and the Chamblee Bulldogs are ready to take it to an even higher level of play.
Tommy Palmer is President/Owner of Palmer Media Consulting Inc. (www.palmermediagroup.com) Palmer Sports Media produces high school-related programs to radio stations across the state of Georgia, including "The Georgia High School Football Scoreboard," a live two-hour show that airs each Friday night.