GAME DAY 2018

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WESTFIELD HORNETS 32 Story by DONNELL SUGGS New Beginnings The banners signifying the past successes of the Westfield Hornets football program are displayed all around the Hornets Nest, the school’s on campus football stadium. The last time the Hornets won a region title was in 2015, the last state title they won was a year earlier, and for the past two seasons there has been little to no reason to celebrate Hornets football. The Hornets have won a grand total of three games in the past two seasons and heading into the 2018 season, the program, led by head coach Jamey Watson, knows this can be the start of a better run of play with the mix of experience and talent they currently have on hand. “This year’s senior class has done an excellent job of preparing for the season,” said Watson during a recent interview. We have had a really good summer and we are hoping to continue to progress.” The Hornets recently started the summer with plans to advance to two-a-days next week. The expectations of the public may not be high but inside of the program there are plans to be better than last year, better than expected, and that starts with having enough young men to be able to shuttle players and off the field during the summer and later during the season. “There have been a lot more kids this year,” said Watson of the boys currently working and others who are expected back in town in time for preseason camp. The 42 boys anticipated to be on the team this year gives Watson and his staff a chance to do things differently on offense and defense. “With bigger numbers we have more competition at a number of positions,” said Watson. Quarterback Battle One of those positions currently up for grabs will be quarterback, where Garan Daw, last year’s starter as a junior, and former Perry High School backup quarterback Christian Corbett, have been going head to head this summer. Last season the Hornets ran the ball more than they passed it with former running More players mean a more versatile Hornets team in 2018 back Payton Black leading the way en route to an all-region season. The loss of a player and athlete the caliber of Black is never easy to get over and Watson knows it. “They will be the toughest to replace,” said Watson of Black and fellow senior Wyatt Young who alongside Black made up one of the county’s best secondary pairings (Daw also played cornerback last season). “They made their teammates better.” The quarterback competition is a friendly one according to the head coach but there can only be one starter and the knowledge of the offense, despite a few changes this offseason, still remains more familiar to Daw. For now. “He and Christian GAME DAY MAGAZINE 2018 Jamey Watson Jamey Watson, Westfield’s head football coach, has a young team this season but also has the momentum of having won more games last season than the year before.
AUG. 24 VS DEERFIELD AWAY 7:30 PM AUG. 31 VS SOUTHLAND HOME 7:00 PM SEPT. 14 VS BULLOCH ACADEMY HOME 7:00 PM SEPT. 28 VS TRINITY-DUBLIN HOME 7:00 PM *OCT. 12 VS BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN HOME 7:00 PM SEPT. 7 VS WESTMINSTER AWAY 7:30 PM SEPT. 21 VS JOHN MILLEDGE HOME 7:00 PM *OCT. 5 VS FREDERICA AWAY 7:30 PM OCT. 19 VS AUGUSTA PREP AWAY 7:00 PM *Denotes Region Game *NOV. 2 VS PINEWOOD AWAY 7:30 PM have been competing and they have handled it well,” said Watson. It has been a good and friendly competition.” Last season Daw played alongside veterans in the backfield, this year he will be one of the team leaders and go-to players, regardless if he’s the starting quarterback or at another position. “Garan did a great job for us last year,” said Watson. The offense will be a bit different from last year though. Whichever one doesn’t win the spot will still be on the field.” Corbett played receiver last season, his first at Westfield. The More the Merrier The rise in the amount of players on the Westfield roster will have to make up for the losses of starters from last year’s team. “With bigger numbers we can play more people on the defensive end,” says Watson. The Hornets have eight returning starters on defense including sophomore Michael Fitzpatrick, who along with playing linebacker, played tight end and is one of the best baseball players in the region. About Fitzpatrick, who is currently away playing summer baseball, finding a place in the 2018 Hornets offense and defense Watson joked, “He’s going to be on the field somewhere.” With the majority of the Hornets defense back this season, the team goes from one of the youngest defensive units to one of the most mature. “We are a little bit older on that side of the ball,” says Watson, “and we have our defensive tackles and an inside linebacker back along with a couple guys at defensive back.” One of those players looking to get back on the field will be Chris Kinnas who missed all of last season. “Chris will be working some at safety,” said Watson. Dual-sports athletes Beck Beckham and Hunter Spence will also be getting the opportunity to play more. Spence did not play last season. “We have a couple of players who didn’t play who will be on the team this year,” said Watson. There are spots still open.” Spots open. A quarterback competition. New offense. This Westfield Hornets football season, if nothing else, will be interesting to say the least. 33
Page 1 and 2: A SPECIAL PUBLICATION BY HHJ Housto
Page 3 and 4: Magazine is published by HOUSTON Pu
Page 5 and 6: AUG. 17 VS PERRY HOME 7:30 PM AUG.
Page 7 and 8: An Island And Historical State Of M
Page 9 and 10: Let’s Kickoff A Winning Football
Page 11 and 12: AUG. 17 VS CENTENNIAL AWAY 7:30 PM
Page 13 and 14: Northside Blue Wind Band To Cry Hak
Page 15 and 16: AUG. 17 VS HOUSTON COUNTY AWAY 7:30
Page 17 and 18: Wanted Dead Or Alive- Outlaw Story
Page 19 and 20: Good Luck Perry Panthers & Westfiel
Page 21 and 22: AUG. 17 VS UPSON-LEE AWAY 7:30 PM A
Page 23 and 24: Story by KRISTIN MORIARTY Postcards
Page 25 and 26: The Team You Can Trust 478-987-8000
Page 27 and 28: AUG. 17 VS TIFT COUNTY HOME 7:30 PM
Page 29 and 30: Rise Of The Humans Story by KRISTIN
Page 31: Be sure to visit the concession sta
Page 35: Always have four things in life: SO

GAME DAY 2018

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