FAIRLEA, WV- The last time the Greenbrier East Spartan defense stepped on the football field, they pitched a shutout against Lincoln County (39-0) in the final game of the 2022 season.
After struggling to stop the run in the first half of 2022, East allowed just 121 yards in that game and dominated from start to finish, but much like the offensive unit this coming season, things are going to look a lot different with some new faces, but there are enough experienced returning players that will lead the group for defensive coordinator Aaron Baker and make the defense a formidable unit.
Two starters on the defensive line last season, James McCraw and Sam Wright, are back to lead the position. McCraw had 10 tackles and a fumble recovery last season while Wright got 17 stops and recorded a safety. Aiden Cole, Bo Bowyer and Rhett Baker bring varsity experience to the position as well. Ashton Mentz provides depth up front and will be counted on for meaningful playing time. Although the stat-lines do not jump off the page for the d-line, the playing experience over the last couple years gives them a leg up and some early confidence heading into game one at Point Pleasant.
Coach Ray Lee’s comments on the defensive line:
“Our defensive line moves very well due to their hard work in the weight room this offseason. They move very well off the ball and their footwork has shown tremendous improvement. We have a number of guys who saw varsity action in games last year across the defensive front. This group is going to do well for us if they continue to work hard as they’ve always done.”
When looking for a veteran group to lead the team on the defensive side of the ball, look no further than the linebackers. Three starters return in Carter Hamilton, Weston Pence, and Landon Vanfosson. Hamilton led the team in tackles a year ago with 88, and recorded a sack. Pence was third on the roster with 69 tackles, and Vanfosson had 34 tackles and four sacks. Cody Wood saw some varsity time last year and will need to take a step forward in 2023 to provide the quality depth needed for a 10-game season. Grant Burdette, Robert Bennett, Keyshawn Bland, Austin Harper, and Logan Vanfosson will play here as well. Burdette and Bennett have game reps on offense under their belt and should be able to transition to defense well.
Coach Lee’s comments on the linebackers:
“Our Linebackers are going to be relied on a great deal this season. We return a number of guys who saw plenty of playing time last year. As the season progressed in 2022, they all got a great deal better and their experience is going to have a tremendous impact on our defensive goals this season. Our Linebackers are physical, smart, and really can get to the ball. We expect a lot of big contributions from this group and if they continue what they have done all summer, there should be no problem with them leading our defensive unit.”
The back-end of the defense, the secondary, lacks a lot of previous snaps, but has speed and athleticism to make up for it. Abram Wickline is the early leader of the bunch due to his 28 tackles, fumble recovery, interception, and defensive score last season. The rest of the depth here has no previous varsity action except for Kaden Stone who played a few snaps a season ago. Caleb Tolley (played offense in ’22), Nate Suttle, Brayden Brown and Daniel Butler will all have their opportunity to shine in 2023. An injury kept Suttle out last season and Brown is a long and rangy athlete.
Coach Lee’s comments on the secondary:
“Our defensive secondary has all new faces for 2023. We lost a lot of experience at those positions but are very pleased with what we’ve seen thus far out of these young men. Some are adapting to new positions and new techniques. This group is like all others in that they work hard in perfecting their secondary skills. We made some real nice gains in 7-on-7 action this summer as far as technique, field awareness, and aggression towards the ball.”
Replacing kicker and punter Noah Dotson, who will kick for Fairmont State this fall, will be tough, but as always, someone will have to step up. Owen Romero will give it his best shot to continue the string of good kickers the Spartans typically put on the field.
Austin Roberts, Wood, Pence, La. Vanfosson, and Stone will contribute heavily to the special teams play as well.
Coach Lee’s comments on special teams:
“We spend a great deal of time on our special teams. It is just as vital in a game as offense or defense. Big plays on special teams can give you a tremendous boost or completely take the momentum away from you in a game. We have been very good in all phases of special teams the past few seasons and this season should be no different. A number of guys will be asked to contribute heavily, and we expect the same aggression and energy on special teams that we would on offense or defense.”
The Spartans scrimmage this weekend in Summers County then will open the regular season at Point Pleasant on Aug. 25.
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