Chestatee War Eagles win Team of the Week

Football is back at Chestatee High School. The War Eagles are 3-2 on the young season after winning only one game over the past two years. That improved play earned the Gainesville school a spot on the HIGH 5 Sports Team of the Week poll. The Chestatee community banded together to vote for their team and now the War Eagles await their first-ever Hand Trophy to be delivered live on Good Day Atlanta during a Thursday morning pep rally at the school.

Chestatee's turnaround can be directly traced to the hiring of former Peachtree Ridge offensive coordinator Shaun Conley as head coach. Conley was as a well respected assistant for over two decades, but the Chestatee job is his first opportunity to exclusively call the shots on the sidelines.

Chestatee Athletic Director Ben Corley told HIGH 5 Sports that experience was the main reason he took a chance on Conley as the head man.

"Our kids have bought in" Corley said. "Shaun has changed the culture here and expanded the community support. He's not only building a winning culture, but he's teaching these kids to eventually turn into better sons, brothers, fathers and citizens."

The War Eagles are led by junior running back Nick Lyles who scored five touchdowns in a game against Fannin County on September 9. Lyles and his teammates host the 3-1 Habersham Central Raiders Friday night at Chestatee Stadium.