LEWISBURG (WVDN) – The Greenbrier East Spartans football team opens up their 2022 campaign this Friday, Aug. 26 at home against Class AA power Point Pleasant in what is sure to be an entertaining opening night of Friday night lights.
The Spartans enter this season with some star power, some solid experience, but also some large question marks, and how head coach Ray Lee handles the team this year will be monitored closely.
On offense, East should be in pretty good shape even with the departures of all-state offensive lineman Jacob Wickline, four-year offensive line starter JT Spencer and receiver Bryson Ormsbee.
Quarterback Monquelle Davis returns after an honorable mention all-state selection last year. Davis accounted for over 1,600 total yards last season and 21 touchdowns. This year, he is poised to have his best season yet and should excel in his final year of eligibility.
Back to help Davis again is first-team all-state performer Ian Cline at running back. Cline re-wrote the record books a year ago on his way to 1,677 yards rushing and 18 TDs. Cline is the only sophomore in East history to be named to the all-state first team. He is strong and shifty, and his work ethic helps keep his game in tip-top shape as evidenced by some Division-1 interest he is getting already.
At the receiver position, replacing Ormsbee will be a task as he was their leade last season, but look out for Lucas McCallister in 2022.
McCallister has played a lot of football in his career and will be the number one option for Davis and (the other QB) Gavin Bennett. He also was an honorable mention all-state selection a year ago and had 20 catches for 238 yards and two TDs.
Jake Pate (8 receptions, 148 yards, TD) returns and although he does not stand any taller than 5-foot-five inches tall, his heart and hustle make up more than enough size for the junior. Pate had some big moments last year including a long catch against George Washington in the state playoffs.
The staff is also eager to see sophomore Donavin Penn who has shown flashes in his limited time but may be ready to step up and will be the other starting receiver.
At tight end, the Spartans will roll out freshman Grant Burdette who has shown the potential to be a really good player down the road and maybe even this season.
Bennett, Colton Dunbar, C.W. Sturgell and James Foular will also see time at the skill positions. Sturgell and Foular will help spell the young Burdette and the aforementioned Bennett is going to play a lot in different sets, which will allow for coach Lee to move Davis all around the field.
Lee is really high on his skill position players.
“Our skill guys that we have in place are our most experienced unit. Cline, McCallister, Pate, and Monquelle are valuable leaders to have on the offensive side of the ball. They are all very athletic and capable of making big plays at any time. All these guys are explosive, and all have their own specific skill set that gives us some variation in our offensive game plans,” Lee said.
“Donavin Penn is also capable of making some big plays and for a young player he understands the game very well. Gavin Bennett will see some time at quarterback, giving us another dimension because now that enables us to put Monquelle in a couple other spots and get him the ball in space. Gavin is very capable of running our offense without a doubt.
We have two first year guys in our program in Burdette and Dunbar who are developing well, and we really look forward to their futures in our program,” he added.
Those question marks talked about earlier lie on the offensive line.
Left guard Aiden Cole is the only multi-year starter and this is just his second year doing so. The other four, left tackle Garon Wiseman, center Rhett Baker, right guard Luke Carola and right tackle Luke Fogus, are all starting on the o-line for the first time. Carola started on the defensive line last season so he has the experience there that will help and hopefully translate to the other side of the ball.
So, although unproven, Lee is very confident in that unit turning into a strength of the team.
“Our offensive line is inexperienced somewhat, but they work hard each day to make themselves better. They did a great job during the offseason in the weight room preparing themselves for this season. They are all very coachable and really take playing offensive line seriously,” Lee stated.
“They are dedicated to becoming a good unit and we look forward to seeing them progress into a solid line. What we lost last year is tough to replace,” he said.
With Cline most likely being the focus of opposing defenses, Lee understands what has to happen to counter that strategy.
“We understand that teams are going to put seven to eight people inside the box on defense against us and that’s ok. Our guys are up for that challenge and Ian has been working hard in preparation for that to take place. However, all our skill guys do a very good job of catching the football, including Ian (260 receiving yards in ’21). Having said that, we are going to try and line up guys in different spots and take advantage of the perimeter in both the passing and run games,” Lee concluded.
