Submitted
A White County father and son duo are helping build a football program at Lanier Christian Academy in Hall County.
Joel Lulinski, the LCA head coach and Titus Lulinski, a senior lineman, helped the football team put together a dominating 50-0 homecoming shut out against Skipstone Academy. Lulinski not only had plenty of support on the field, but also had some local support as well as the White County High School marching band made the trip to LCA to support the Lulinskis.
Titus Lulinski, a 6-1, 290-pound lineman, has been playing football for LCA since seventh grade
“He dominates the line on both sides of the ball,” said the elder Lulinski. “On offense in the trenches he sets the tone for the rest of line,bringing aggression and determination. On the defensive side of the ball, he sets the edge. He can see through every play. He makes offenses have to key in on him and change their game plan.”
Lulinski began his athletic journey on White County Recreation Department fields kicking soccer balls and hitting baseballs under volunteer community coaches like his father, Jimmy Smith, Danny Kastner, Michael Dorsey, and the late Joey Kastner, along with many other local men that mentor young athletes in the county.
Coach Lulinski is a second-year head coach and longtime defensive coordinator for the Lightning, which has a 27-man varsity roster this season that includes underclassmen and many first and second year players.
When the head coaching position opened in 2024 after the resignation of head coach Bruce Miller (long-time Gainesville coach), Lulinski, whose defense allowed only seven points per game that proceeding year, was the choice to lead the program. At the helm, Lulinski led the team to LCA’s first state championship last year and has a 13-4 career record.
Titus Lulinski has grown up at Helen First Baptist Church, increasing in “wisdom and stature” under the guidance of ministry staff members Dale Thomas and Jeff Ford among others.
Lulinski is thankful for an injury-free senior year. He missed most of his junior season to injury; but was cleared to play for the state championship game. Coach Lulinski said that Lulinski was necessary for their championship win against Cherokee Christian, “Without Titus, we lose.”
As his football career comes to an end, Titus said it all the sweeter that he was able to play for a White County crowd in attendance.
Warrior marching band members, brought by director Steven Cooler, went to the LCA homecoming game at the request of Gage Nesbitt, Cleveland resident and drama teacher at LCA.
Following the game, Coach Lulinski thanked Cooler for the Warriors Marching Band’s performance stating that the band, “just brings a whole other element to the atmosphere of the game.”
LCA, a school of 560, does not have an organized pep band or drum line at this time, but Coach Lulinski is hopeful this is something the school can add to their growing list of extracurricular activities.