Trinity Christian ready to open soccer season

The Trinity Christian Lions football team is ready to open its 2023 season with a new head coach.

The Mike Townson era kicked off this week, but the team got a head start on Friday in a scrimmage match against Holy Innocents.

The Lions are coming off a five-win season last year with a first-round exit from the playoffs with a loss to Landmark Christian.

Coach Townson said: “This year’s team will be the first year in a three-year process. Our goal this year is to learn how to play together as a unit, control our efforts and fight for a playoff berth. That’s the ethos of the varsity, junior and college varsity programs.”

The Lions are managed by 2023 GACA Pre-Season All-State Player Dylan Depriest.

Coach Townson said: “I’ve been a head coach for 21 years, and he’s one of the best, if not the best, captain I’ve had the pleasure of coaching. We will need his leadership in this first step of building a program.”

Regionally, Lions have a challenge. Georgia’s Class 4A football is some of the best in the state and our region (4-4A) is loaded. Every game will be a battle to secure a playoff spot.

Developing a proven soccer program is a process Coach Townson knows well. He continued: “I’m focused on building a strong college program first, and we’ve done that this year. We have 20 college players who play multiple sports and club soccer all year round. .”

“After that you teach them to play hard for 80 minutes and be mentally strong,” coach Towson concluded.

Preseason stars include sophomore forward Colin Mudge, Noah Schloegal and freshman forward Jackson Upshaw.

The Lions’ opener on Monday against Pike County fell victim to rain, but they will play Friday at Fellowship Christian.

The Trinity Christian Lady Lions, under head coach Lance Duncan, also played a scrimmage on Friday night. They won 12 games last season and also made the jump to the talented 4-4A region this season.

It’s a young formation this year for the Lady Lions. There is only one senior on Coach Duncan’s team this season, captain Olivia Osse.

The Lady Lions play Thursday afternoon against Spaulding County at Griffin High School.