FOOTBALL

Oden, Class of 1992, was a three-sport athlete for the Vikings, excelling with the basketball, track and football teams. In track and field, he reached the state finals in the shot put and made the region championships in shot put and discus.As an offensive lineman, he played a key role in Lakeside’s 1991 state title, the program's most recent. At 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, he helped anchor the Vikings offensive and defensive lines. As a senior in 1991, he earned spots on both the AJC and AP All-State teams and won the Touchdown Club of Atlanta’s Noah Langdale Award, given to Metro Atlanta’s best lineman.He accepted a scholarship to play football for legendary head coach Joe Paterno and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Oden spent four years in Happy Valley, during which time the Nittany Lions posted a 38-10 record. The 1994 season was the best of his tenure, as Penn State went 12-0, finished second in both major polls, winning its first Big Ten Championship, and captured the school’s first Rose Bowl victory. Additionally he won the 100% Wrong Club’s Two Friends Award, an award given out for outstanding athleticism and citizenship. He received the award alongside a teammate while in the presence of Professional and Olympic athletes.

Phenix, Class of 1981, was a two-time letter winner in football and track and a one-time letter winner in wrestling. As an offensive tackle, he was part of the 1980 Lakeside football team that was sub-region runner-up and went 8-2-1, earning a berth in the state playoffs.He was one of the top offensive linemen his senior season and earned the 1980 Coaches Award. In track and field, Phenix was region runner-up in the shot put and a state qualifier during his senior year, where he received the Most Valuable Field Award in track and field.He accepted a football scholarship at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. He was a three-year letterman, helping the Blue Hose finish ninth in the nation during his senior season. Phenix went into sales and marketing for 12 years. In 2001, he began a career in education that included teaching and coaching positions at Rockdale County, Walnut Grove, and Apalachee where he taught computer science and coached football, golf, and track and field.Throughout his football and golf coaching careers, he had multiple trips to the football state playoffs and multiple qualifiers for sectional and state golf tournaments. Today, he lives in Loganville, GA. with his wife Leesa who is also a 1981 Lakeside graduate. He has three children – Ansley, Katie, and Tyler.

Davis, Class of 1978, was a two-sport athlete at Lakeside lettering in football for three seasons and baseball for one season. He played linebacker and nickel back in football and catcher in baseball.His position coaches included Doug Burt, Dave Redford, and Phil Lindsey. As a sophomore, he contributed as a nickel back and special teams player on the 1975 state semifinalist team. He became a starting linebacker as a junior, however injuries sidelined him for eight games. As a senior roverback, he helped the 1977 Sub Region Championship team’s defense, which allowed just 5.7 points per game, shut out six of their 11 opponents.Davis graduated from Southern Tech in 1986 with an Electrical Engineering Technology degree. From 2004-2011, Dave was Defensive Coordinator for the North Georgia Falcons high school football team winning the Glory for Christ league title in 2010 and 2011 seasons. Since 1990, he has worked at RDA Systems, a family-owned software development firm.He has been a MEI rated private pilot since 1993, and has served as the Sec/Trsr of the Cherokee County Airport Authority since 2009. He and his wife, Mimi, are blessed with four children: Robert, Riley (and Emily), Ivy, and Rachel. He was saved by Jesus Christ in 1985, he’s grateful for his faith and family.

Wilson, Class of 1976, was a multi-sport athlete during his time at Lakeside, playing football and soccer while also running on the track team. Wilson saw time on the football field in his junior and senior seasons. As a junior, he caught a two-point conversion in the North Georgia Championship game to defeat Griffin, 36-35. Wilson recorded three touchdowns as well as 14 receptions on the season. As a senior, Wilson’s numbers made an exponential jump, recording 45 receptions for around 800 yards, and a team-high 12 receiving touchdowns and a punt returned for a touchdown. Wilson received accolades such as the Lakeside Coaches Award, was named a DeKalb County first-teamer and an all-state honorable mention. Wilson also earned the ‘Super Split End Award’ from the DeKalb Touchdown Club. In track, Wilson was a part of two school records in the speed medley and the 880 relay.  Wilson attended Presbyterian College on a football scholarship after Lakeside. He spent his first two seasons playing football before transitioning to playing soccer in his final two seasons. Wilson was captain of the soccer team and the leading scorer in his senior year.   He worked in textiles for multiple companies before retiring in 2020. In 1990, he married his wife, Vanette, and they have two daughters, Curry Ann and Jan.

Necessary, Class of 1974, spent his time at Lakeside playing offensive line from 8th grade to his senior year while helping lead the Vikings to the Class 3A state championship in 1972. He was named to the All-County team as a senior and won the Viking Award – which he shared with Milton Pate.He did not pursue college athletics being “small and slow”. He could block well, although he mentions, comedically, that his blocks might be illegal in today’s game. He served as the Executive Vice President, Product Development and Management at Cox Communications. A ‘cable guy’ he says.He is a man of faith and family and tries to live his life through Jesus’ teachings. He was raised in a Christian family, professed faith in Christ as a seven-year-old and was baptized by immersion. "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" – John 1:29. And “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence that we could receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” -- Hebrews 4:16.He is married to Debbie, who he married in 1979, nine years after meeting her in a Lakeside study hall. They have three daughters – Kristi, Courtney and Abbie – and each of their daughters are married and each have a boy and a girl.

Carroll, Class of 1973, first fell in love with the game of football in fifth grade while playing Gray Y football. Upon his first year at Lakeside, he played on the football, basketball and track teams before shifting his focus to solely football as a Freshman. As a sophomore, Coach Wayman Creel brought him up to varsity for the 1970, 13-0 state championship team.During his junior and senior seasons, Carroll started at left defensive tackle, and helped deliver another state title to the Vikings in 1972, going undefeated at 14-0. Carroll says the team was blessed with the best coaches and parents, with tremendous support from the entire school.After graduating from Lakeside, Carroll received a full scholarship to play football under Coach Fred Pancoast at Memphis State University. He played there for five years, and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. He then moved back to Atlanta to help run the family business, Bob Carroll Appliance Co., which was started by his father in 1953 in Decatur.Carroll later would have his heart stolen by a fantastic woman from Briarcliff High School, Elaine, who he would later marry. Together, they have a beautiful daughter, Clare. The family resides in the same neighborhood Carroll grew up in, and he notes that “life is good”.

Michaels, Class of 1973, earned two letters in football as a defensive tackle, two letters as a shot putter on the track team and two letters in wrestling while competing in the heavyweight division. Michaels was an All-County and All-Region selection and was considered the No. 103 overall prospect in the state of Georgia for the Class of 1973. The DeKalb County Touchdown Club named Michaels Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in Lakeside’s 21-0 win over Gainesville during the team’s undefeated 14-0 state championship season in 1972.  After Lakeside, Michaels received a scholarship to Vanderbilt University. Following one season, he transferred to Georgia Tech where his older brother Tom and younger brother George also attended and spent two years playing for the Jackets. He graduated from Tech in 1978 after majoring in Industrial Management. Michaels spent a decade as an industrial salesman and got into the restaurant business—opening a pizza place in Sandy Springs and later a Greek restaurant in Buckhead. He got back into industrial sales and was a food buyer for Angel Food Ministries, the largest feeding ministry in the country. Michaels was raised by his father Dr. John Michaels—a prominent pediatrician and his mother Olympia. He met his wife Kaissa while living in Brazil and got married in 2022.

Necessary, Class of 1971, was a multi-sport athlete who played on the Vikings football and baseball teams. On the football field, he received two letters and two letters for baseball. At defensive end and linebacker, he was a member of the Viking’s 1970 State Championship team and received the Defensive Lineman of the Year Award in 1970. After graduating from Lakeside, Necessary attended Georgia Tech where he played football his freshman year. He graduated with a degree in Industrial Management in 1975. After Tech, he attended the University of Georgia and graduated with high honors with a Master of Business administration degree.  Necessary went on to work in corporate banking for C&S Bank. After leaving the bank, he worked with computer sales and consulting businesses as CFO and the President of a computer leasing company.  Upon the successful sale of that company he worked with another computer sales and consulting company as CFO and started another computer leasing company for them serving as President.    Upon the sale of that company, Bob retired. He and his wife Teri, live in Blue Ridge, GA. where they enjoy golf and trying to keep up with their nine grandchildren.