OAKWOOD — The 2014 season was the best-ever in program history for West Hall. Can they build on that?
Coach Tony Lotti is banking on it with 17 returning starters, including the Spartans top two rushers from a year ago in Tyquan Statham and Kwon Williams, and their entire special teams unit, led by Wisconsin-signee Anthony Lotti. The defense itself returns nine starters from a group that yielded just 9 points per game in 2014.
However, a heartbreaking loss in the first round of the playoffs last year also left a bad taste in the mouths of Spartans players and coaches, and Lotti said they are hoping that experience can be the catalyst to an even bigger season in 2015.
"We feel good about where we are as a program," Lotti said. "We have quality players at key positions. The key will be staying healthy. Last year's end left a bitter taste in our mouth and we're trying to use that as a motivation to get to where we want to be."
The Spartans will be the hunted in 2015 after dominating 7-AAA on the way to the region title last year. A key will be prepping for the region with a tough non-region schedule.
Their 7-AAA opener against Dawson County could set the tone and they finish with Banks County at home and then a road game at Lumpkin County in their season finale. Both of those teams are expected to challenge for the region title.
"Every game in the region is crucial," Lotti said. "Everyone is a little better and it should be very competitive."
WEST HALL: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Spartans
- TEAM COLORS: Navy blue and Silver
- CURRENT REGION: 7-AAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Tony Lotti, fourth season, 18-14
- 2014 RECORD/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 9-2, Region 7-AAA champs, reached Class AAA first round
- KEY LOSSES: OG/KR Ty Statham, C Cole Davis
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Multiple offense -- The Spartans will run to set up the pass with a balanced attack.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 8 returning starters -- Sr. RB Tyquan Statham, Sr. RB Kwon Williams, Jr. RB Tyrese Osborne, Sr. RB Tristian Hester, Jr. WR Will Dague, Sr. WR Hykeem Bennett, Jr. QB Jacob Satterfield, Jr. RB/WR A.J. Favorite, Jr. RB Malcolm Prather
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4 -- West Hall will look to be speedy and aggressive and will blitz.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 9 returning starters -- Sr. LB Tyquan Statham (moving from S), Sr. S Kwon Williams, Jr. DE Michael Kidd, Sr. NG Justyn Derrico, Sr. DL Marvin Mejia, Jr. LB Justin Hearn
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. P Anthony Lotti, Sr. PK Cesar Villa, Sr. KR Tyquan Statham, Sr. KR B Kwon Williams, Sr. LS Hayden Lee
- STRENGTH: Kicking game/defense -- The Spartans' special teams will be solid with the entire unit returning. The defense also will be stout once again with nine returning starters from a group that allowed just 9 ppg in 2014. They have a stable of talented RBs as well.
- QUESTION: Depth -- Its always an issue in Class AAA and Lotti says they are looking for consistency week in and week out.
- KEY GAMES: The first region contest vs. Dawson County at Spartan Field could set the tone. Other crucial games will be Banks County at home Oct. 30 and the season-finale on the road at Lumpkin County, which decided the region title last season.
- TRENDING: Coach Lotti has constantly stated they are trying to build a program rather than just a team. He has the Spartans on the verge of being a consistent player on the state scene after two stellar seasons, including the program's first-ever region title in 2014. With 17 returning starters in 2015, this may be the Spartans year to make a deep run in the playoffs.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 vs. Johnson
Sept. 4 at Chestatee
Sept. 11 at North Hall
Sept. 18 vs. North Oconee
Sept. 25 vs. *Dawson County
Oct. 9 at *East Hall
Oct. 16 vs. *Franklin County
Oct. 23 at *Fannin County
Oct. 30 vs. *Banks County
Nov. 6 at *Lumpkin County
*- indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
