OAKWOOD — After posting one of the most significant wins in program history in 2016 -- a 24-21 road defeat of Troup County in the Class AAAA first round -- coach Tony Lotti says his Spartans are focused squarely on using that victory as a springboard.
Their goal? To become a consistent playoff program, one that makes first round victories a regularity.
But with questions at several key positions in 2017, including quarterback, Lotti says the fate of this season depends on how his upperclassmen grasp the moment.
"How we do this year will definitly depend on them," he said of his senior class. "They now know what it takes to get to the playoffs and win. Can they use their leadership to bring the younger kids along? That is our biggest question right now."
The Spartans can lean on a talented and experienced offensive line, led by seniors Josh Taylor, Cory Davis, and Damien Fouts, along with junior Jackson Bartlett. That group will be asked to aid inexperienced quarterbacks Quentin Smith (junior) and Michael Thompson (sophomore), as they are sure to split time under center. Thompson took just a handful of snaps in 2016 and Smith was used primarily as a running back. Seniors Cameron Shirley (wide receiver) and Cooper Adams (running back) give Smith and Thompson a pair of talented skilled players to rely on.
Defensively, Fouts and senior Austin Sinclair will anchor what could be a good linebacking corps. Seniors Gabe Gantt and Shirley and junior Jeremiah Prather should make for a talented secondary.
West Hall returns just six total starters from last season, however. And depth could be an issue, as the Spartans will employ several two-way players. Still, Lotti said expectations will not change just because of personnel.
"Our goal every year is to win the region and try and win state," he said. "Every team is different and that is certainly the case this year. It has been a fun group to coach so far, and we're excited to see what they can do."
A tough schedule awaits with eight of their 10 opponents coming off playoff appearances, including monster non-region road matchups against Gainesville, Dawson County, and Rabun County. West Hall opens Region 7-AAAA play at home against Chestatee and would love a good start with tough road games at Marist and White County to follow.
WEST HALL: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Spartans
- TEAM COLORS: Navy Blue and Silver
- CURRENT REGION: 7-AAAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Tony Lotti, sixth season, 30-25
- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 7-5, second round Class AAAA playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: RB Tyrese Osborne, WR Will Dague, QB Jacob Satterfield, RB/WR Ashun Favorite, RB/WR A.J. Favorite, DE Michael Kidd, LB Justin Hearn, LB George Lira, S Patrick Hudson
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Multiple offense -- The Spartans will run to set up the pass and attempt to field a balanced attack.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 3 returning starters -- Jr. QB Quentin Smith, So. QB Michael Thompson, Sr. WR Cameron Shirley, Sr. RB Cooper Adams, Sr. OL Josh Taylor, Jr. OL Jackson Bartlett, Sr. OL Cory Davis, Sr. OL Damien Fouts
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4 -- West Hall will rely on speed and aggression, mixing in the blitz when the opportunity is right.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 3 returning starters -- Sr. LB Damien Fouts, Sr. LB Austin Sinclair, Jr. DL Jackson Bartlett, Sr. DB Gabe Gantt, Sr. DB Cameron Shirley, Jr. DB Jeremiah Prather
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. P Gavin Armour, Sr. PK Israel Lopez
- STRENGTH: Offensive line/chemistry -- The line should be a good one behind returnees Taylor, Bartlett, Davis, and Fouts, and Lotti said the team is a close-knit group that has gelled as the offseason progressed.
- QUESTION: Depth/experience -- Neither quarterback has taken many varsity snaps, and, with several two-way players, depth could be an issue. And with just six returning starters there could be some early growing pains.
- KEY GAMES: The Spartans have a tough non-region schedule and hope to use that to prepare for their region schedule. Opening with the Orenstein Classic against Gainesville (Aug. 18, away) should be both a good test and provide a good atmosphere for the season. Eight of their 10 opponents advanced to the playoffs in 2016, including old region rival Dawson County (Sept. 15, away) and area power Rabun County (Sept. 22, away). The Spartans open region play at home against Chestatee (Oct. 6) and need a good start with road games at Marist and White County to follow.
- TRENDING: The Spartans finally got that elusive playoff win with a tremendous road victory against Troup County in the first round in 2016 -- it was the second state victory in program history (the first came in 2000 as a four seed). Entering his sixth season, Lotti has increased the numbers and expectations of the program in his time and now will be a big test to see if they can avoid a rebuilding year and reload at several key positions in a bid to notch a fifth straight playoff berth. West Hall has a lot of talented youth that could see significant playing time and gather experience to carry the program forward into the future.
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 at Gainesville
Aug. 25 vs. Johnson
Sept. 1 vs. Washington-Wilkes
Sept. 8 at Jackson County
Sept. 15 at Dawson County
Sept. 22 at Rabun County
Oct. 6 vs. *Chestatee
Oct. 13 at *Marist
Oct. 27 at *White County
Nov. 3 vs. *Blessed Trinity
*- Indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
