ELBERTON, GA. — Brent Miller is trying to provide the kind of stability Elbert County hasn’t had in several years. Coming off back-to-back 1-9 seasons, the Blue Devils second-year coach is trying to build a consistent foundation.

After three coaches in three years, Elbert is farther along in the preseason than usual.

“We’re a lot more coachable, we’re a lot more disciplined, and a whole lot stronger,” Miller said. “We know the capabilities of the players we have.”

With nearly 20 rising juniors, Miller has a core group to build around, including leading rusher Rod Reid, and an all-junior offensive line, which could be the team’s best unit.

“It’s a privilege running behind those guys,” Reid said.

Reid and junior quarterback Tyheem Newman bring speed to the backfield, and were two big reasons while Elbert hung with arch-rival Hart County for a half last season. Newman could share time under center with junior Robert Huff who Miller said is more stable, and has a better arm.

After playing a non-region schedule last season littered with 4A schools, Miller re-tooled the slate to find teams that better match up with the rebuilding Blue Devils.

Elbert traded Madison County and Cedar Shoals for Riverside Military and Social Circle.

Miller hopes that will give his younger players confidence going into a tougher Region 8-AAA season.

“You work hard, good things happen to you. We’re still rebuilding, our best athletes are going to be ninth graders,” Miller said. “We’ve got to build with what we’ve got, but we’ve got it coming. I think we’re still going to be a year off from the best team that we can put on this field. Everybody’s realistic about where we are and where we came from.”

Defensively, Miller expects the Devils to be better prepared, but to also bring more toughness, which was lacking last season, he said.

“This is a building period,” sophomore Valdon Cooper said. “But it’s just to get our confidence up. Most of the teams we’re playing are not that much better than us, so we’re just trying to win right now. We’re a lot younger, but we’re a lot better, we’re got more numbers and better support.”

Last year: 1-9 (did not make playoffs)

Returning starters:

Key loss: DE/TE Larry Ashmore was the team’s leading tackler last season. “We’re going to have to have more tacklers. See, Larry was the only tackler last year. That’s why he was shining, so now we’ve just got to combine everybody.” — Valdon Cooper

To be a factor in playoffs: The Devils would need to avoid injuries, and have some of their underclassmen fill consistent roles ahead of schedule. In a tough region, they’d have to pull at least one upset.

Rod Reid, jr., RB

A pint-size running back will get the bulk of the carries in a crowded backfield. Reid started most of last season, and will get to run behind an experienced and big offensive line.

Valdon Cooper, so., RB

One of the fastest players on the team, Cooper could split time with Reid and be a bridge between the talent-filled junior and freshman classes.

Tyheem Newman, jr. QB/DB

Newman’s speed and ability to hit the corner could go well with Reid’s style between the tackles. Although he started most of the games last season, he battled in the preseason with junior Robert Huff. “We do a lot of audibles at the line, and both are prepared to lead the offense,” Miller said. “I feel good with either one of them.”