Spartans treating early games like playoffs

OAKWOOD - West Hall coach Ken Aldridge says his team, just three games into its season, is already playing as if the playoffs are on the line.

"Every game is critical. You can't take a week off or go into a game expecting to win without being prepared. This region is too tough and we've already seen that upsets happen and that most of the teams are pretty even," Aldridge said. "One game can, and already has been, the difference between getting into the playoffs or not."

The Spartans will play host to Fannin County Friday night at West Hall Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

West Hall (1-1, 1-1) is coming off a 13-0 win over Pickens while Fannin beat Gilmer last 15-0. Aldridge said the Rebels will pose serious problems along both lines for the Spartans.

"They're a big, physical team up front. They run the ball real well and have a couple of big running backs, who on film look very hard to bring down. It's definitely going to be a challenge for our defense," he said.

Mitch Rice, Zach Fralik and Steven Smigelsky have led a stingy West Hall defense to this point. The Spartans have given up just seven points in their first two games.

"The defense has played outstanding so far. We had a couple of mistakes against Johnson that cost us the game but otherwise we've played about as well as we can,"

On offense, Mike Burgamy leads a ground attack that is still growing.

"The triple-option is a hard offense to run because you have to make so many reads and checks at the line. Mike has done a good job of learning the system and is improving each week," Aldridge said.

Devon Snapp appears healthy again after a scary-looking knee injury in the first half against Johnson.