Three new teams speak at Pigskin Preview

Georgia State, which is entering its fourth football season, knows all about being a startup program. The Panthers have shot up the ranks in three seasons and will begin play in the Sun Belt Conference in the coming season. Panthers coach Trent Miles spoke candidly about why so many teams are starting football programs.

“I think schools are starting up programs because they feel, to be frank about it, because of finances,” Miles said. “If you’re a Division I team, getting a share of money from the new playoff system is huge. Then there’s what a football program can bring to a university as far as pride and support from the alumni and the spirit and excitement it brings to campus.

“People love football here. Students vote to pay extra fees to have football because they love the game. Football’s very important in this state, and it matters to people. When something’s that important, you want to have a piece of it.”

Mercer: For the first time since 1941, a football team from Mercer will take the field in the fall.

The Bears will compete in nonscholarship football in the Pioneer Football League in 2013. On May 30, the University announced that it had accepted an invitation to join the Southern Conference effective July 1, 2014.

Coach Bobby Lamb said the Bears had more than 4,000 fans at their spring game and have sold nearly 4,000 season tickets. Lamb said being in the Southern Conference will boost the team’s profile even more.

“It’s going to help us in recruiting tremendously. We’re stepping into a different tax bracket,” Lamb said. “It’s going to help the city of Macon as well. The Southern Conference has a lot of tradition and great fans, so when some of those teams travel here, it will help the city of Macon.”

Quarterback John Russ says he thinks the fans will create an electric atmosphere for the first game.

“I think it’s going to be great. I can’t wait,” Russ said. “I think we’ll fit like 12,000 in there. I hope the student body comes out and supports us. I’m excited for that.”

Reinhardt: After opening the season at Mercer, Reinhardt will return to Waleska for the first home game in the program's history to face Lindsey Wilson, a Mid-South Conference East Division foe, Sept. 7 at Ken White Field.

Danny Cronic will be the Eagles’ head coach after accepting the job May 19, 2011. Cronic has nearly 40 years of experience, mostly at the high school level with a few years at LaGrange.

“We’re going to have a lot of butterflies, but we’re excited about it,” Cronic said. “Our kids have been practicing for a year against no one but themselves, so there’ll be some juices flowing when we take the field that first time.”

Quarterback Johnathon Chamblee will compete for the starting position. Chamblee says he has been going to the training facility to improve various aspects of his game.

“I’m working to increase my speed and get stronger and faster,” Chamblee said. “I want to get my arm stronger, so I can help this team this season.”

Kennesaw State: Kennesaw State won't begin play until the fall of 2015. In fact, the Owls won't sign their first recruiting class until February. But coach Brian Bohannon didn't want to miss an opportunity to promote his program.

“We’re really working hard to get the word out about what’s at Kennesaw State,” Bohannon said. “I think it’s one of the best kept secrets in the state of Georgia as far as all the things it has to offer. Right now, we’re just trying to get as many young man on campus to show them what we have to offer.”

Bohannon is using the newness of his program to his advantage. He’s preaching to potential recruits about the possibility of making history.

“The big thing I talk about with these young men is that they’re going to get to lay a foundation for something that 20 years from now, you can say this is what I built,” Bohannon said. “And they have a chance to play. There are no senior starters in their way. We have a lot of things to sell right now.”