Spartans defense ready to step out of the shadows of offense

OAKWOOD -- Jay Reid understands the concept of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and has taken it to heart.<br /> <br /> The new West Hall defensive coordinator came onto the scene after spring practice taking over for Ben Corley, who moved to Chestatee to take the Athletic Director's position. Despite the late arrival, Reid knew he had the pieces in place for a good unit.<br /> <br /> "Coach Corley and his staff did a great job of instilling work ethics and intensity with the kids," Reid said. "There were already some great players here. All I've really had to do is come in and build on what they did.<br /> <br /> "Me and coach Corley are a lot alike in what we like to do as far as scheme. If it's working well, don't mess with it. But of course you're always going to tweak a few things."<br /> <br /> West Hall head coach Tony Lotti picked Reid, who was at Franklin County the past two seasons and at Jackson County for two seasons prior to that, both as defensive coordinator, over several candidates because of his knowledge and similarities of what they want to do.<br /> <br /> "Jay Reid knows football and he knows defense," Lotti said. "He had the intensity we were looking for to go with that knowledge. It's been a good fit for everyone so far."<br /> <br /> The Spartans appeared to be in midseason form last week in pitching a 28-0 shutout of rival Johnson in their season-opener. So much for needing time to jell as a unit. The introductions took longer.<br /> <br /> "It's been a smooth transition," Reid said." The scrimmage (against Jefferson) came at a good time for us to get to know each other and they had never seen me live and in action."<br /> <br /> Reid, who played at Georgia Tech from 2001-05 under George O'Leary and Chan Gailey, admits to being rather calm under normal conditions. But when Friday night rolls around, he brings out his alter-ego.<br /> <br /> "I'm pretty laid back most of the time but when it's game time, I can get pretty intense. I think the kids were a little shocked during that scrimmage. But I think they're starting to get used to that."<br /> <br /> "Jay can get amped up, that's for sure," Lotti said. "But I think that intensity is having a positive effect on the team as a whole. The defensive guys really seem to feed off of it."<br /> <br /> The Spartans (1-0) will need that fire when they travel to take on Chestatee (0-1) which is sure to be in a bad mood after suffering a tough 29-0 loss to Flowery Branch last week in its opener. It is the second of four games to open the season against Class AAAA competition as they prepare for their Region 7-AAA schedule.<br /> <br /> "We wanted to play the higher classification teams to help us get more physical," Lotti said. "Chestatee is always a tough matchup because they are big up front and they just pound the ball until they break you down. This will be a big test for us."<br /> <br /> West Hall has several players going both ways, led by junior safeties Tyquan Statham and Kwon Williams. Senior linebackers Ty Statham and Cameron Millsap give the Spartans plenty of speed.<br /> <br /> "We want our best 11 on the field when we're on defense," Reid said. "That is something we talk about as a staff. We want to be able to stop people. If they can't score they can't beat us.<br /> <br /> "We know we're not going to shut people out every week but we want to put ourselves in position to win the game. Defense is what wins championships."<br /> <br /> In Region 7-AAA, the Spartans will see just about every kind of offense imaginable. Fannin County and East Hall will run the pass-oriented spread offense while Dawson County and Lumpkin County feature bruising ground attacks. Banks County and Franklin County will run more balanced offenses.<br /> <br /> "We'll see lots of different things but basically it comes down to being physical and trying to control the game with your defense," Lotti said. "Jay has seen it all and has a good plan for each one."<br /> <br /> "Physicality is what I'm looking for," Reid said. "We've got the speed but a team like Chestatee, for instance, is going to line up and come at you with a big line and just keep pounding the ball. They're happy with three or four yards a play.<br /> <br /> "If you want to have a chance to stop teams like that, you have to play physical. The kids are working hard to be more physical. I like what I've seen so far." <br /> <br /> Lotti agreed.<br /> <br /> "It takes time, patience, and hard work to make sure everything is going the way you want it," Lotti said. "Jay is putting in the time with the kids to teach them and has a tremendous amount of patience as they learn what he wants them to do. And they are working hard at improving everyday. That's all you can ask for as a coach."<br /> <br /> However, neither Reid nor Lotti were prepared to say they have the makings of a new Steel Curtain - yet.<br /> <br /> "Our goal is to build a consistent winning program that competes every year. Championships start with defense," Lotti said. "We know we're not going to shutout every team but we're going to do everything we can to put ourselves in a position to win.<br /> <br /> "Jay Reid is the perfect guy to help us get there."