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WHITE PINE – When a school starts up a football program, stability is paramount.

In the 2021 season, on their third coach in just two years as a program, Lakeway Christian Academy remained rudderless.

Then 2022 came around, and so did current Lakeway head coach Thad Wells.

Entering their final game of the 2022 regular season against The Webb School fresh off a six-game losing streak, observers had no choice but to be dubious. Wells and the Lions had other plans.

They knocked off The Webb Feet 52-45 to end their six-game slide and clinch their second consecutive playoff berth.

The following week, the team traveled to Clarksville to take on the Cougars.

The Lions clawed their way to overtime, and after allowing a touchdown on defense, the odds were again stacked against them. This time, it was Shajai Jackson who had other plans.

The Lions scored a touchdown of their own, and down one on the road, were faced with a decision.

Jackson, who had already amassed 200 yards and an interception in the game, made it an easy one.

Wells trusted his workhorse, put the ball in his hands, and the rest is history. Jackson punched in the two-point conversion and punched his team’s ticket to their first quarter finals appearance in program history.

This year, Lakeway touts something they’ve never been able to before: continuity.

Wells comes back as the first returning coach in program history; and lucky for him, so does Jackson. And according to Wells, Jackson is coming back better than ever.

“Household name Shajai Jackson is returning, and in terms of production last year he’s a huge asset,” Wells said. “He has a really unique blend of quickness and power, he’s gained over 20 pounds and reduced his 40-time this offseason, so he got bigger, faster and quicker.”

Lakeway’s continuity isn’t limited to Jackson and Wells, however. Being the fourth year in program history, Lakeway has four-year starters all over the field.

“We’ve got five seniors on the offensive line, led by Cooper Cox, a fourth year center for us. You have Ryan Ball, Kegan Tennell, Caden Dimery and Zeke Johnson,” Wells said. “I’ve never had an all senior offensive line.”

Quickness will be a strength for the Lions this year, not just in the backfield. Wells continually praised the quickness of his defensive backs, to his offensive lineman.

In turn, the Lions will look to leverage that quickness this year by running a multiple offense. This allows for designs from playbooks you might see in a pro, spread or pistol scheme, the options are essentially unlimited.

Thus, you can adjust your specific playbook or call sheet to the specific talent on your team. And the talent the Lions boast this season is boundless.

“Obviously we’re excited for Shajai, but the surrounding cast is really talented as well,” Wells said. “Our quarterback Levi Martin returns as well. We have Jesse Stump returning, he’ll be a junior this year, he had a breakout season as a sophomore last year at receiver and running back. Caleb Davis is returning for his second season, he’s a senior, but he was a basketball player until last year and we got him to come out, and he will get offers to play at the college level. He’s about a 6 ‘4, 230-something tight end, his hands are amazing and at that size he runs a 4.7 (in the 40).”

Other names to watch for the Lions on the offensive side this year will be Jace Ballard, Riley Martin, Josh Pollack and Loten Potts.

Ballard, a sophomore, will be playing both ways, at defensive back and receiver respectively. Wells called him the fastest and quickest kid on the team. Riley Martin, brother of quarterback Levi, will play out at receiver. Pollack, who returns as a starter from the defensive side, will make his presence felt on offense this year more than ever. And Potts will be their do-it-all utility type player. Last year, he played everything from quarterback, running back and h-back just to name a few.

Still being a program still in its relative infancy, you’ll hear a lot of those same names from the offense on the defensive side as well.

“Our numbers are a lot better than in years past, but a lot of our kids are going to be playing both ways,” Wells said. “You’ll see Kegan Tennell’s name a lot on the defensive line, getting into the backfield. Caleb Davis as well will be a very dynamic defensive end for us.”

Sam Knight returns for Lakeway at lineback, and according to Wells he’s one of the smartest players he’s ever coached. Aidan Dooley will join him at inside linebacker to wreak havoc in the run game.

Loten Potts will bring that same type of versatility from the offensive side to the defensive side as well. Jackson Parish, a Jefferson County transfer who had to sit out last season will make his presence felt on both sides of the ball this year.

Shajai Jackson will lead the way in the secondary, with Jace Ballard, Jesse Stump, Josh Pollack and Landon Lacy joining him in the defensive backfield.

“On the backend, this is an extremely talented secondary for high school football,” Wells said. “Similar to our offense with our strength being our skill guys, we’re ridiculously talented in that secondary.”

The Lions will base out of a 3-man front, but can easily adapt to a four-man front when necessary. Adaptability is a principle for Wells and the coaching staff.

That kind of depth of talent will be necessary for the Lions this year more than ever. This season, they’ll be making the jump from Division II-A to Division II-AA. As a result, their schedule will test them from week one.

Lakeway starts off the season with two road games against DII-AAA Knoxville Catholic and 4A Volunteer.

Following that, the Lions kickoff district play with their home opener on September 1 against Notre Dame. After Notre Dame, they’ll have two more home games against West Ridge and Christian Academy of Knoxville.

Then, they’ll travel for two road games against Grace Christian and Silverdale. Following Silverdale, Lakeway will have a home game against Boyd-Buchanan and a road game against Chattanooga Christian before closing out the regular season at home on October 27 against Knox Webb.

In spite of the step up in competition this year, the goal remains the same for the Lions.

“The safe answer is we expect to get better and grow this year, but without a doubt we expect to be in the playoffs,” Wells said.

“That will always be our goal. You get to the playoffs, you have no idea what can happen. Being at Lakeway Christian Academy, our goal is to spread God’s word. You spread God’s word by getting the attention of others. With something like football, you get the attention of others by winning.”