Spartans name QB; offense evolving toward balance

OAKWOOD, Ga. — Head coach Krofton Montgomery is sticking to his guns with the run game.

His tune is changing a bit. 

After two months of summer workouts and Fall camp, Montgomery says they're going to pass the ball a bit more than he initially thought. 

"As things have gone one, we feel more comfortable with throwing it some," Montgomery said. 

He has settled on a starting quarterback that happens to be a Sturm. It's not Nick Sturm as he graduated, but his younger brother, freshman Brett Strum has risen to the top of the quarterback room. 

Montgomery has named the freshman a starter. 

Why a freshman? Montgomery says it is his "poise."

"The way he approaches the rep to rep and the way he's composed," he said. "He's been a field general since he was in second grade. He's young but very advanced mentally." 

Texas transfer Jaylen Fagan and newcome Quintavious Reed have helped the passing game look much better. 

"Jaylen is one of the fastest kids I've had a chance to coach in terms of quickness, balance – all the athletic traits you want," he said. "He's very, very polished. You can tell he's played a lot of football.

"Quintavious is a 6-foo-4, 185-pound kid that keeps getting better."

The Spartans, however, will not base out of the spread offense solely this season. 

"We want to be able to have 10 and 12 play drives to keep the ball out of our opponents' hands," he said. "We want to be 60-40 run to pass. I've wanted to be as balanced as possible in the past, but we want to control the clock."

With the graduation of leading rushers Tilil Blackwell, Blake Mccray, Nick Sturm and Jaden White, he'll count on junior Maliek Richardson to carry some of the load. Richardson played in four games as a sophomore. He rushed 27 times for 134 yards – averaging five yards per carry.  

"He's going to carry it a lot," Montgomery said. "He was one of our injuries last year and was out a good portion of the middle of our schedule. He's built well and is a physical back, but also an extremely fast and explosive player. If we keep him healthy, he'll have a very good year."

Montgomery also said sophomores Tyson Slipper and Soloman Carter will get some rushes.

"We think they're going to be pretty good," he said.

The offensive line returns the most starters. Senior tackle AJ O'Bryant, senior center Tito Hernandez, and guards Sam Pettit, senior and junior Bryce Reed are back to form a solid group.

Montgomery said he has several competing for the open tackle spot.

Four-year starter Andrew Malin is back at tight end. He caught 18 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns last season.

"We're expecting big things out of him," Montgomery said. "He's going to be our leader on both sides. He's been around for a long time. He works hard and does everything you ask him to do. He's taking on a leadership role on the field and in the weight room."

Defensively, Montgomery hired Jimbo Hale, formerly of Chestatee, to run the defense this season.

"It's great having Jimbo around," Montgomery said. "He's a West Hall grad and really puts his heart and soul into it. It's refreshing for me as a coach to see a different way of approaching it."

With the addition, the Spartans will shift back to a four-man front.

"We'll be doing some things differently," Montgomery said. "It's not anything out of the ordinary, but we wanted to switch more so for our personnel."

Junior tackle Travion McDowell, a two-year starter, and junior defensive end Riley Packard return to the defensive line. Junior Kato Martinez and senior Bricen Grindle also will get time on the D-line.

"We're expecting big things out of Travion this year," he said. "He's a big kid with big hands and has lost a little bit of weight, so he's quicker."
Seniors Ryan Mcmillian and Brady Clark return at linebacker.

"Ryan can play a little bit of everything for us," Montgomery said. "He started a lot of games last year, so we feel good about him. He's just a hard-nosed kid that plays hard."

The secondary was the hardest hit on the defensive side.

Noah Legault, who led the team in tackles last season, transferred to Rabun County in May, leaving a big hole in the back half of the defense.

"Losing Noah leaves a big hole," Montgomery said. "But we've got some guys that have been working hard every day."

Reed has shown some hope in the secondary, as has fellow basketball player Ethan Anderson.

Sophomore Ethan Clifford and junior Keyvan Allen have been working at the corner and improving daily.

"We're going to be rebuilding in several spots, but I feel like with what we're trying to do, it will all come together."

The Spartans will open at home against East Hall on Aug. 19, followed by the Battle of Oakwood at Johnson, then back home against East Jackson. Their final non-region game will be at Union County before opening region play at Dawson County.

Montgomery points to the three straight home region games against Gilmer, White and Pickens as crucial games.

He said if they can take care of business at home, it'll put them in a great position to make the playoffs.

"We talk all the time about taking care of our home field," he said. "White, Pickens and Gilmer are big, and if we could win those three, it would put us in a good spot to make the playoffs."

So, who's the favorite to win the region? Montgomery quickly said, "Dawson County."

"Dawson County lost a lot, but I'm not even buying into that with Dawson anymore," Montgomery said. "I've convinced myself that we're better than them over the years, then go out and get destroyed. So, If I were a betting man, I'd say Dawson is the front runner."

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