The Chestatee War Eagles have a new identity.

Gone are 21 seniors from last year’s 4-6 team that lost its final four games of the season, and in their place are a group of players that has coach Stan Luttrell excited about the 2009 season.

"I really like the identity this group has developed," said Luttrell, who is entering his fourth season at the helm of the War Eagles. "We haven’t lowered expectations, we just put the burden on a new group."

That new group is led by senior running back Ben Souther, who rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior.

"Ben grew up a lot last year," Luttrell said. "He came out at the end of the season having aced the test and we’re asking more of him this year."

While Souther’s role has changed (he’ll be playing defensive back as well this year), one thing that hasn’t changed is Chestatee’s tough schedule, which opens up with games against Gainesville and Flowery Branch in the first three weeks. Despite those contests against region champion-caliber opponents, Luttrell is not putting an emphasis on the early matchups.

"There’s no easy weeks in this region," Luttrell said. "The only thing we focus on are the things we can control."

Offense

Although the War Eagles welcome back their leading rusher, the team is handing the ball to a new quarterback after the graduation of three-year starter Ethan Souther. Junior Scott Chewning takes over signal-calling duties for Chestatee, and although he only threw 22 passes for 70 yards last year, Luttrell believes that he will add a new element to the split-back attack.

"Chewning’s gonna do a great job," Luttrell said. "He’s been waiting his turn and is a born leader who leads by example. He brings some things to the table that we may not have had in the past. I’m excited to see what he does."

The War Eagles will still be a run-first offense, but Chewning’s arm strength allows Luttrell to open the playbook and call more pass plays. More passing means more opportunities for playmakers like Souther, Alex Moore, Lamar Brooks and Keaton Summerlin.

The biggest question mark for the War Eagles is on the offensive line, where all five members of last year’s unit have graduated and only one player with experience returns.

"It’s not a question of if they’re gonna do it; they have to do it," Luttrell said of his new line.

Defense

The defensive roster is strikingly similar to the offensive one, as Chestatee will embark on a season filled with several two-way players. Brooks, Moore and Summerlin will join Souther in the secondary, providing the War Eagles with speed and athleticism.

"Our skill players are more than capable of playing both ways," said Luttrell, who has changed to a 4-2-5 defense this season. "The reason we’re doing that is so we can compete in this very tough region."

Anchoring the defense are senior linebackers Jeremy Wilkens and Robby Poole, who combined for 155 tackles last season. Those two will be asked to make up for the 247 tackles that Chase Vasser and Jonathon Cain recorded last season.

Special teams

The kicking duties fall on the leg of sophomore Leo Molina, who kicked at the junior varsity level in 2008 and who Luttrell said is developing a strong leg. Souther, Brooks and Chewning will maintain the punting duties this season, and should be able to provide good field position for Chestatee’s defense.

"We put a big emphasis on special teams last year and it paid off for us," Luttrell said. "We’ve put even more work on it this year, so I’m expecting that our special teams will be a strength for us."

Outlook