After starting last season 1-3, SCD rallied down the stretch as the Hornets played tough against Calvary Day (a 27-21 loss) and Savannah Christian (a 48-28 loss) before seeing their season end in a 27-21 loss to Whitefield Academy on the road in the first round of the GHSA playoffs.

Kleinpeter and Odom were key factors in the improvement. Kleinpeter threw for 1,556 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding five rushing scores. Odom had 54 receptions for 814 yards and 10 touchdowns

"He's the best receiver and my best friend," said Kleinpeter, a 6-foot-1, 195-pounder whose college offers include Samford, Akron, Austin Peay and New Hampshire. "We've been working together since we were freshmen, so I think we have the best connection in Savannah. Kenny is a special player, for sure."

Odom runs the 40-yard dash in the 4.4 range and had a stellar track and field season last spring. He was second in the Class A Private state meet in the 100 meters (10.77 seconds), third in 200 (22.09) and fourth in the high jump (6 feet, 4 inches). He also ran a leg, along with Wynn, on the Hornets' state champion 4x100 relay team, which set a school record with a time of 42.50.

"Coach Mohring knows the game well and brings a lot of energy," said Odom, who has offers from Western Kentucky, Austin Peay, Middle Tennessee State, Savannah State and North Alabama. "We're looking to do big things this year. We're just trying to focus on the little things to make the big things work."

Wynn is another player with breakaway speed (a 40 time in the 4.5 range), which is complemented by his size (6-4, 200).  "Alex has great hands and he's a big target," Mohring said. "They won't want to be double-teaming Kenny (Odom) with Alex out there," Mohring said the offensive line should be solid with seniors Henry Giello, Jack Pierce, Smith Baiad and Karlo Jukic back along with sophomore John Avino. Mohring said Kejuan Gibson, Keith James, Michael Grandy and John Neely will get touches at running back.

Neely will go both ways, anchoring the defensive line. Ray Ray Jackson is back after missing last season with a knee injury, and Rooster Bing is another man to watch upfront along with Maddox Rahimi.

Rivers Carson and Dalton Spivey are expected to be strong linebackers, with Grandy at safety.

Keep an eye on freshman Brooks Kleinpeter (6-1, 185) at tight end. Barry's younger brother caught a few passes in a recent scrimmage "We've been working on that for years," Barry Kleinpeter said with a laugh. "It's going to be great playing with my brother. My mom is loving it." Kleinpeter thinks the team is ready to bounce back this season. "I think after a year like we had last season, people are going to underestimate us. We have a lot to prove and I think we're going to shock a lot of people this year."