FAIRLEA- Even though they finished with a final record of just 6-5, the Greenbrier East Spartans football team had one of their best seasons in recent memory during the fall of 2025.
They trekked through a difficult regular season schedule and found their way into the state playoffs as the number 8 seed and got to host a game at Spartan Stadium against Chapmanville.
Greenbrier East averaged 283 yards per game and put a balanced offense and defense on the field, and it allowed them to stay within striking distance every game. Their worst loss was a 35-14 defeat at Princeton, but the game was close until a couple plays turned the tide near the end of the third quarter. Meanwhile, Princeton is playing in the Class AAA state title game, have not lost a game all season, and will most likely hoist that state title trophy in the next several days.
Aside from that loss to the Tigers, the Spartans also lost to Alleghany (VA), Bluefield, Nitro, and Chapmanville. To put that in perspective a little bit, Alleghany finished 9-2 and made the state playoffs across the border, Nitro is the opponent for Princeton in the state title game, Bluefield is in the Class AA championship game, and Chapmanville pulled off arguably the greatest upset in state history when they beat no. 1 Bridgeport a week after defeating the Spartans. Those opponents are a combined 57-6, so you could make a case that East had one of the toughest schedules ever.
The Spartans most impressive and memorable wins came at Woodrow Wilson (28-14) and at home versus James Monroe (29-14).
It was a great season for East to send off 16 seniors who have now exhausted their eligibility.
Brody Hamric led the offense once again for the third full year and went 135-of-240 for 1,840 yards, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also ran for three scores as well. Hamric will be tough to replace. He was a steady presence and was a two-time honorable mention all-state selection with probably another award coming soon.
When it came to running the football, no one did it better than Alleghany transfer AJ Godfrey. Godfrey finished with 954 yards and 16 touchdowns but was slowed late in the season with an injury that forced him to miss a game-and-a-half. Godfrey gave the Spartans the ability to gain a lot of tough yards, and he wore down opposing defense late in games.
This season also brought one of the more balanced receiving corps in a long time. Nate Suttle (43 rec, 521 yds, 6 TD), Grant Burdette (39 rec, 552 yds, 6 TD), and Kaden Stone (24 rec, 412 yds, 6 TD) were labeled as the big three and all of them responded well. But other players like Jy Green (19 rec, 165 yds, TD) and Braylon Godfrey (3 rec, 101 yds, TD) also contributed to the air attack.
Stone and Jace Obermeyer split kicking duties with the latter handling the role more frequently in the second half of the season. Stone was 8-of-10 on extra points while Obermeyer finished 16-for-22. Both players were seniors.
Suttle added to his stellar senior year by handling the kick return duties as well. He returned 15 kicks for 404 yards and two TDs. One of those touchdowns came on the opening kick in the state playoff game against Chapmanville where he raced 83 yards down the home sideline.
On defense, Brayden Brown (51 tackles, 8 TFL, 5 sacks) recovered five fumbles and returned two for scores. He too got one of his defensive TDs in the game against Chapmanville. Stone (46 tackles) and Suttle (34 tackles) each had five interceptions on defense. Suttle took two back for a score and Stone returned one for a pick 6.
Other defensive players like Harrison Smith (54 tackles, 17 TFL, 7 forced fumbles, 6 sacks), Jackson Morgan (31 tackles, 11 TFL), Keshawn Bland (94.5 tackles, 14 TFL), Zayir Lee (55 tackles), Logan Vanfosson (42 tackles, 9 TFL, 4 sacks), Gage Blevins (47 tackles 2 sacks), Green (36 tackles, 12 pass breakups), and Br. Godfrey (26 tackles) all helped lead a unit that allowed just under 24 points per game and kept the Spartans in numerous contests. Freshman D.P. Seams (14 tackles, INT) also saw extended time late in the season
Note: Total tackle numbers will be updated and added once available.
