Rabbits look to build on 2015's success

ATLANTA, Texas-Like a pyramid with a state title at the top, a trio of goals has been set for Atlanta this season.

Atlanta's head coach Matt McClure sees the team's goals in three tiers: have a winning record, repeat as district champions and win a state title. McClure also wants to see his players come out of each game healthy.

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Gone is Atlanta's all-time leading rusher Tyrell Phillips who posted huge numbers last season with 2,131 yards on 288 carries and 28 touchdowns.

Quarterback senior Layton Henson (6-1, 180), who started seven games last year, will lead the Multiple 1-back offense. Henson is a dual threat and amassed 1,035 total yards for the Rabbs in 2015.

"Henson was kind of thrown into the fire last year and is a solid player," McClure said.

The Multiple 1-back offense uses three wide receivers with a tailback and a fullback. Atlanta is going no huddle and will rely on the power run with some throws launched into the mix. The main goal for the Rabbits will be to keep the offense balanced.

"There is a lot of communication that goes into running a no-huddle offense," the Rabbs head coach said. "It is important to get that going in a positive direction."

Kelton Young (5-10, 188) comes in to replace Phillips and will get most of the carries. Young has been on varsity since his sophomore season and was a part of the state champion track-and-field relay team.

Taylor, who started at cornerback last year, is good on the edge and Webster has said that McClure has the potential to be the main receiver. Overall, the Rabbits have the athleticism to play three or four more players at receiver.

The Rabbs' offense looks to be efficient in the red zone and limit turnovers.

"We have to execute in the red zone in order to win," McClure said. "We want to score touchdowns not field goals, and we have made it a goal to score as many points as we can. We've done really well protecting the ball the past two years."

Atlanta is having to replace a two-year starter at center on the offensive line and McClure said replacing a couple of linemen is one of the team's biggest obstacles.

Anchoring the offensive line is senior tackle Christian Oliver (5-9, 200). Oliver, who started last year, is a physical player and has experience at linebacker.

"Oliver is a high-energy guy," McClure said. "He has a lot of enthusiasm, is a good leader and has a great work ethic. He is the kind of guy you want to have on your team."

Also expected to help out on the line, and one of Atlanta's top newcomers, is sophomore Shun Hunter (6-3, 250). Hunter will play on both sides of the ball.

"Hunter is athletic, and I believe his name will be called a lot," McClure said.

On defense, the Rabbits run a 3-4 scheme and are led by big senior outside linebacker Tristan Allen (6-3, 220). Allen made 108 tackles last season, and 19 of those went for a loss. He has been a starter for Atlanta since his freshman year and has three Division I offers.

"Allen is a good all-around athlete and has worked himself into being the player that he is," McClure said. "He has a good work ethic, is a leader and has a good attitude. Allen plays well in space despite his big size and is physical."

Senior Desmond Robinson (6-3, 205) is the other outside linebacker and he helps lead the defense along with Allen. Robinson has two Division I offers.

"Robinson emerged last year and played really well," McClure said. "He's another big body for us on the other side and has tremendous ball skills. He also plays wide receiver."

The size of Atlanta's pair of outside linebackers makes it difficult for opposing quarterbacks to find passing lanes.

"Allen and Robinson's big, long arms make it hard for the opposition's offense to throw the ball through, around and over," the Rabbit head coach said.

Layton Henson plays safety and led the team with three interceptions last season.

The biggest obstacle on defense is the replacement of all three down linemen. Two of the former players were all-state selections.

"We are going to have to coach up the new guys and do a good job of rotating fresh players in there," McClure said. "Finding the three starting down guys is going to be critical."

McClure said that his team is solid in the secondary and at linebacker.

The players are coming together, which is a good sign for Atlanta's coaches.

"It's been a really good camp starting off," McClure said. "The kids are upbeat and we've had really good practices. The players are retaining a lot of what we taught them offensively and defensively in the spring."

Until someone beats Gilmer, it will remain the team to beat, McClure said, and it is hard to compare this season's team with last year's squad. Like in 2015, in 2014 the Rabbits went 12-2 and lost many good players to graduation. McClure said that the quickness and speed is about the same.

One difference, however, is that the Rabbits are not quite as big in some spots as they had been in recent years.

"Each team takes on its own identity as you get into the season," the Atlanta coach said.

McClure is looking forward to just getting the season started. Expectations are high and the Rabbits are ranked as high as No. 6 in some polls.

"We want to keep being consistent," he said. "I am looking forward to get going and to see the kids get better. Coaching is kind of like a drug because getting out there with the players is just fun."