Injuries plaguing Spartans, War Eagles

OAKWOOD - Injuries may have more to do with who wins the West Hall-Chestatee football game Friday night than anything else.

Both teams come into their Region 7-AAA battle at Chestatee Stadium with several key starters out.

None may be bigger than the Spartans' Devon Snapp, who is doubtful for Friday's game and maybe longer. The senior running back hurt his knee in their opener against Johnson and aggravated it two weeks ago against East Hall.

"I don't think it's season-ending but I don't know how much he'll play Friday, if any," West Hall coach Ken Aldridge said. "Making cuts is the problem. But he's just as big a loss on defense as he is on offense. That's two big holes to fill if he can't go. It's going to be a game-time decision."

It's much the same for Chestatee, which has lost three running backs the last two games and now the leading tacklers Henggeler brothers - Kevin and Kyle - both went down last week against Gilmer.

"We were dropping like flies and we don't have enough depth yet to sustain a lot of injuries. But losing those two is a big blow for our defense," Chestatee coach Matt Fligg said.

Neither team comes in on a roll.

The Spartans (3-3, 3-3) have lost two-of-their-last three games and are part of a pack of five teams within one-half game in the battle for the fourth playoff spot. Chestatee (0-5, 0-5) has now lost 14-straight since winning its inaugural game last year against Flowery Branch.

It's a must-win for West Hall, who plays Gainesville at home next week and travels to North Hall after that. No team with more than four losses made the playoffs last year.

"We said two weeks ago we couldn't afford any more stumbles and then we lost to East Hall. The situation is more urgent now," Aldridge said. "We probably have to win out or loss only one more game. But I still feel we have a shot at the playoffs. A lot of teams are pretty even so there's always a chance."

There's some good news for the War Eagles, though. Last year's leading passer Tyler Stover, who's been out all season with a shoulder injury, will get some playing time. He got in one play last week against Gilmer.

But Fligg says Stover's lack of practice will limited how much.

"He's just not there yet. It's hard to miss six weeks and then come right back where you left off," Fligg said. "But he'll see more than one play. We'll just see how the game is going."