HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEWS: Westover will have plenty of new faces in key spots

ALBANY — There will be plenty of new faces looking to make an impact for the Westover Patriots this season.

After graduating 25 seniors, the majority of which played big roles, coach Octavia Jones will be looking for players to step forward this season.

“We’ve got a whole new cast of guys looking for playing time,” Jones said. “We graduated a lot of seniors, but we had 21 juniors last year. We feel like we have enough guys coming back to lead us and try to get us where we can be competitive and compete for a region championship.”

Among the players Westover will have to replace is former quarterback Emory McKenzie. As a senior, McKenzie was named the Albany Herald’s People’s Choice Player of the Year. He racked up 1,051 passing yards while rushing for 1,168 and scoring for 17 total touchdowns. McKenzie will likely be replaced by Gregory Marshall.

The Patriots will also have to find numerous players to step up to fill other offensive skill positions. The team’s top two leading receivers from last year — tight end Casey Wilson and wide receiver Traviontae Brown — have both graduated.

“We only have two returning starters on offense,” Jones said. “These guys have a grasp of what we are trying to do offensively. It is just a matter of finding the person that is going to be the playmaker.”

Despite losing the majority of their skill players, the Patriots’ offensive line could be a strength. It is currently anchored by 6-foot-7, 300-pound tackle Montravious Richardson who holds an offer from Mississippi State.

The Westover defense will likely be relied upon heavily if the Patriots want to make a run, and there is plenty of talent on the defensive side of the ball.

The defensive line is anchored by 6-6, 290-pound tackle William Green. The senior is rated a three-star by 247Sports and currently holds offers from Mississippi State, Louisville, South Carolina, Toledo and Georgia Southern. Green had 35 tackles last season, including five for a loss.

Due to the new Georgia High School Association region alignments, the Patriots will see many unfamiliar opponents this year. While Westover remains in Region 1-AAAA, only Americus-Sumter and Cairo are leftover region opponents from the past two seasons.

“We are unfamiliar with most of those teams,” Jones said. “Once we get an opportunity to scout them and look at them on film, it is just about making adjustments, going out and executing.”

Westover opens the season on Aug. 27 against Monroe as the visitor at Hugh Mills Stadium. They follow it up with a home game against Dougherty and an away game against Albany, both of which will also be at Hugh Mills.

The Patriots only have three true road games this season. The first will take place on Sept. 16 at Americus-Sumter.

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WESTOVER PATRIOTS

• REGION: GHSA 1-4A

• 2015 RECORD: 2-7

• COACH: Octavia Jones (7th season)

• RETURNING STARTERS: DB Dan Land (Sr.); DT William Green (Sr.); OT Montravious Richardson (Sr.)

• TOP NEWCOMERS: QB Greg Marshall (Sr.)

• 2016 SCHEDULE:

Aug. 27 — at Monroe

Sept. 2 — Albany

Sept. 9 — at Dougherty

Sept. 16 — at Americus-Sumter

Sept. 22 — Carver-Columbus

Sept. 29 — at Hardaway

Oct. 14 — Columbus

Oct. 21 — Cairo

Oct. 28 — at Northside-Columbus

Nov. 3 — Shaw