Last season, the Greenbrier East Spartans football team enjoyed one of their best seasons in recent memory.
They finished the regular season at 7-3 and hosted a state playoff game for the first time since 1998 (It was also their second consecutive state playoff appearance). Their season ended that night, but the program laid another building block for the future in the process.
This upcoming 2020 season has been and will be unlike any fans have ever seen before.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything from normal to unknown. However, what is known is that the Spartans have prepared and worked as hard this offseason as they ever have before and head coach Ray Lee is just as ready to hit the field.
“Throughout all of the unknown and unforeseen circumstances all of our kids have worked extremely hard during the off-season and on the field during our pre-season camp. Our enthusiasm has been great, our intensity has been high, our focus and attention to detail have been excellent. We want to create a culture within our football program where kids understand that we want discipline, hard work, and a willingness to be a better player on and off the field. We want our kids to take pride in the program and always prepare themselves for the upcoming season no matter what is taking place. That is a sign that they are dialed in ready and willing to work,” Lee said.
Lee said the offense may look a little bit different this year after losing a few players to graduation such as Kyle King, Marion Lawson, Brandon Honaker and Chris Hulmes, but he still expects his players to execute and be successful because of their willingness to learn and get better.
“We have installed quite a bit of new schemes in all phases of the game and look forward to watching our players take that information and execute. We have a good senior class who are quiet, but who are always willing to do whatever is asked of them and prepare themselves to make this team successful. They have been around and experienced good wins both in the regular season as well as experiencing the playoffs for two consecutive seasons,” Lee said.
“We finished eighth in the state last year, hosted a playoff game for the first time in 20-plus seasons, and this years team has set a goal of not only hosting another playoff game, but this time winning and advancing even further into the playoffs. Each class — seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen — have all done everything that’s been asked of them despite everything that keeps changing in our daily world. They all continue to come to practice every day and try to make each of their other teammates better. We are extremely excited to see what the new season holds for us, both in terms of what we can control and even what we can’t control,” Lee stated.
As Lee said, the offense will look a tad different this year, but confidence is high that players will step up to fill some of the void left behind by the aforementioned graduates. However, there is still some experience there also. On the offensive line, JT Spencer, Jacob Wickline and Grant Hall return as starters. Logan Carr and Tanner Skidmore will be new additions to the starting lineup with Garrett Bennett and Landon Hayes providing quality depth up front.
The skill positions are where the most change will be noticed, but again, the guys stepping in are still familiar and have some experience.
Nate Baker is back for his third season at tight end and is riding momentum after an impressive 23-yard touchdown catch in the state playoffs last season. Receivers will be Bryson Ormsbee, Christian McNeely and Trey Pondexter. Colby Piner will be the primary running back, and Quentin Wilson and Baker will also see extensive time in the backfield.
Sophomore Monquelle “Spark” Davis will take King’s spot at quarterback. Davis saw time at the position last year, as well as receiver, and as a pass catcher, hauled in a 30-yard TD-catch in the playoff game.
Ian Cline and Gabe Shay will provide depth in various offensive roles.
The key here is Piner. The senior did not play last season, but garnered a lot of all-state attention before the year after a sensational sophomore, campaign. If he can regain that form this season, he will provide a dynamic option on offense.
“We enjoy having experience on offense and are really excited about the new style we have put in place to try and be successful,” Lee said.
East returns five starters on defense for defensive coordinator Aaron Baker who engineered last year’s performance and allowed the fifth fewest points in Class AAA.
Along the defensive line, Spencer will be the nose guard. Owen Hughes and Bennett will be the tackles and Wilson the defensive end. Jared Shoffner will also play the end spot.
Nate Baker will move to inside linebacker after starting the last three seasons on the outside. Braden Bragg and Jarrett McHale will start at the other linebacker spots.
McNeely and Lucas McCallister will man the cornerback positions with Ormsbee and Piner the strong and free safeties, respectively.
“We stress to our players the importance of playing quality assignment defensive football,” Lee said.
The Spartans open up play this Friday, September 4, when they host the Woodrow Wilson Flying Eagles. There will be no fans permitted at the game with the exception of the players parents and media members due to COVID-19.
The Daily News will have a full recap in the Tuesday, September 8, edition. There will be no paper on Monday, September 7, due to the Labor Day holiday.
CUTLINE: East quarterback Monquelle Davis warms up before the Spartans scrimmage with Shady Spring last Friday, August 28.
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