Adversity could become Westover’s biggest advantage

ALBANY — Corey Joyner isn’t about to thank injuries and transfers for what happened to Westover’s football team last season.

But he isn’t complaining about them anymore, either.

After watching his roster take one hit after another in 2025, the Patriots head coach believes those difficult months accelerated the development of a young football team that now enters the season older, faster and far more experienced.

“I think we are going to be better for the next two years because all of these young guys got a lot of playing time,” Joyner said Thursday. “All of the injuries and transfers might have actually been a blessing in disguise.”

That isn’t a statement many coaches would make after losing two quarterbacks, a starting running back and watching injuries decimate an offense.

Transfers claimed quarterbacks Keyon Thomas and Jordyn Shorter along with running back Dominique Ball. Running back Saylor Edwards, quarterback Jayshun Bobbs and All-State offensive lineman Kyson Mallard all went down with injuries.

By mid-season, fourth-string junior varsity quarterback Gabriel Hopper was directing the offense.

Instead of folding, the Patriots still found their way into the playoffs for the second consecutive season under Joyner, finishing 6-4.

Now Hopper enters the season not as an emergency replacement, but as Westover’s unquestioned leader.

“He has improved so much,” Joyner said. “That game time last season plus the work he has put in … he is much better.”

The same could be said for much of Westover’s roster.

Freshmen who were forced onto the field a year ago now return with a season of varsity experience.

“Guys like Ahmad Mitchell and Jaden Thomas are really stepping up,” Joyner said. “K.J. Weaver, Matthew Martin and Dan Wallace are making plays. Mikhail Simmons at wide receiver and Josiah Daniels at tight end are going to be tough to stop.”

Joyner believes another offseason emphasis could make an even bigger difference.

Speed.

After meeting with former Westover coach and athletic director Octavia Jones, now at Terrell County,  to discuss ways to improve team speed, Joyner incorporated many of those ideas into Westover’s offseason conditioning program.

“We are going to be a really fast team,” Joyner said. “We’ve put that into practice and the speed has really improved.”

The Patriots also return proven talent up front.

Mallard, one of Southwest Georgia’s top offensive linemen and a Louisville commit, anchors the offensive front after returning to full strength. On the defensive line, Mercer commit William Owens gives Westover another Power Four-caliber presence in the trenches.

Those veterans will be tested immediately.

Westover enters in a competitive new region, joining Monroe, Dougherty, Bainbridge, Cairo, Shaw, Spencer and Columbus.

Cairo, who features talented running back Bryain Duncon, enters as the preseason favorite after earning a No. 5 state ranking, but Joyner isn’t conceding anything.

“Cairo has a really good team and they are well-coached,” he said. “But we came close against them last year and if it hadn’t been for that kickoff return, we could have beaten them.”

He expects every Friday night to present a challenge.

“Spencer always has good athletes. Shaw is young but pretty good, and I don’t think you should count out Dougherty, Monroe or Bainbridge. They’ll all be better this season.”

As for his own team?

Joyner likes what he sees.

“But if we do what we are capable of,” he said, “I think we can play with anybody.”