Last year, the Calhoun football team was able to fly under the radar for most of the season — and they did so all the way to a Class AA state runner-up finish.

This year’s squad, however, will not have that same low-profile persona. This group is expected to win — and win big.

As such, the Jackets, who lost to Buford in last year’s finals, will have a big target on their backs.

“A lot of people have us finishing on top, as runners-up or at the very least in the top-5 this year,” said head coach Hal Lamb. “Other teams will be shooting for us and, I know that, the coaches know that and the kids know that. We will have to step it up a notch and perform better than we did last year.”

Performing better will not be easy considering how successful the Jackets were in 2008, but they do have a very capable squad that can do just that.

Leading the pack will be returning wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers and new quarterback Nash Nance.

Rogers, who made a verbal commitment to play at UGA, is considered one of the best high school receivers in the nation. Lamb considers Rogers one of the most talented players he has ever coached.

Nance comes into the picture after taking over the starting job from last year’s QB Michael Johnson.

Nance joined the Jackets in the spring after transferring in from Darlington and has made a verbal commitment to play at Vanderbilt.

“I feel as good about our quarterback situation as I have in a long time,” said Lamb. “There is no one out here that is going to outwork (Nance). He has the size, the mind and the leadership qualities you look for in a starting quarterback.”

Also returning to the team this year is backup QB Landon Curtis, who will be looked at to take a larger role for the team this season.

“I want him to get some reps in at QB since he will be the guy next year, but we may see him at wide out and he will play defense and is on the all-specials team,” said Lamb. “He is too good of an athlete to be standing on the sidelines with me.”

Kedron Aker will join Rogers at receiver and is Calhoun’s fourth D-I commitment (UAB).

Josh White will be expected to lead Calhoun on the defensive side of the ball. Lamb considers him the best linebacker he has had since Curt Welch a few years back.

Brett Walraven will be expected to fill a void left by Rhett McGowan, a hard working, playing both sides of the ball, type player.

Christian will lead the running game and will see lots of time on defense and special teams as well.

These players will lead the Jackets though a tough schedule (see sidebar) which is identical to the one that gave the state runner-up team of last year two early season losses.

“(Losing early) helped us focus and get back to working a little harder,” said Lamb. “Dalton is as good as they have ever been, they are better than last year when they thumped us, and it will be a great opening game.”