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By Nolan Imsande

LEESBURG — After falling just short of the playoffs last season, the expectations at Lee County High School remain high.

The Trojans enter the 2016 season with one of the more-loaded defenses in South Georgia and have their sights set on great things.

“We have really high expectations this year,” defensive back Otis Reese said. “We need to get it done. Every day at practice we have to come out here and get better. I feel like it is just going to be a great season this year.”

Reese, who is committed to Michigan, is one of four starters on the defense who has received a Division 1 offer. Defensive lineman Aubrey Solomon, who is also committed to Michigan, is one of the top-rated prospects in the state while fellow lineman Tory Carter is committed to LSU as a fullback.

In addition to the returning starters, the Trojans will have Akileis Leroy at middle linebacker. Leroy, who transferred from Monroe after a move, received an offer from LSU over the summer.

“We have a lot of experience on defense,” Fabrizio said. “We’ve got a lot of big, physical kids. We expect to perform really well on defense.”

All together, Lee will return eight starters on a defense which will be tested by new competition. The Trojans remain in Region 1-AAAAAA, but in addition to Valdosta, will be joined by Coffee, Houston County and Northside-Warner Robins. The three newcomers each suffered two losses last year and all three also made it to the playoffs.

“We got put in what a lot of people are saying is the toughest region in the state,” Fabrizio said. “You are talking probably five of the top eight teams in Class six ‘A.’ ”

While the defense is flush with returning starters, the offense will feature many newcomers. Giavonte Daniels and Kono Smith are the only returners on Lee’s offense.

At quarterback, junior Jase Orndorff will take over for two-year starter Garet Morrell. Orndorff isn’t completely inexperienced as he did see some playing time at the end of last year when Morrell was injured.

“He played against Camden County and Valdosta last year, so that is a pretty good way to get thrown into the fire,” Fabrizio said. “He performed very well in games. Three years ago everyone was asking who was going to replace Stephen Collier. Now, everyone is asking who is going to replace Morrell. We hope in two years everyone will be asking, ‘Who is going to replace Jase Orndorff?’ ”

Orndorff will be joined by running back Mark Robinson and wide receivers Tyquavious Terrell, Terrien Wester and DreQuan Garmon, Jr.

The Trojans open the season Thursday night against Jones County in the Corky Kell Kickoff Classic at Mercer University. They follow it up with an away game at Bainbridge.

Region play gets underway on Oct. 14 when Houston County comes to Leesburg.

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LEE COUNTY TROJANS

• REGION: GHSA 1-AAAAAA

• 2015 RECORD: 6-4

• COACH: Dean Fabrizio (8th season)

• RETURNING STARTERS: NG Aubrey Solomon (Sr.); DE/FB Tory Carter (Sr.); DB Otis Reese (Jr.); DE Sylvestor Jackson (Jr.); OLB Shaun Rountree (Sr.); DB AJ Jones (Sr.); DB TJ Harris (Jr.); K Dylan Brendel (Sr.); P Garrett Clover (Sr.); WR Kono Smith (Sr.); WR/RB Giavonte Daniels (Sr.)

• TOP NEWCOMERS: MLB Akileis Leroy (Sr.); QB Jase Orndorff (Jr.); RB Mark Robinson (Sr.); WR Tyquavious Terrell (Jr.); OL Hunter Parks (Sr.); OL James Monteiro (Sr.); OL Griffin McDowell (Jr.); DB Tay Mayo (So.); DB Ty Dewberry (Jr.); OLB Justin Favors (Sr.); OLB Brenden Womack (Sr.); RB Kareen Wilson (Sr.); OL Reese Bacon (Jr.); DE Qwan Kendrick (Jr.); DL Christian Walker (Jr.); FB Neiko Cruz (Jr.)

• 2016 SCHEDULE:

Aug. 19 — at Jones County (Corky Kell Classic at Mercer University)

Aug. 26 — at Bainbridge

Sept. 2 — Hardaway

Sept. 9 — at Americus-Sumter

Sept. 16— Luella

Sept. 23 — Thomas Co. Central

Oct. 7 — Houston County

Oct. 14 — At Northside, Warner Robins

Oct. 21 — Valdosta

Nov. 4 — at Coffee