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By Ron Seibel

ALBANY — With 27 seniors returning, this could be a pivotal year for Westover football.

Two running backs who combined for more than 1,200 yards a year ago are back, as is a key receiver and a high-end defensive back. That has Westover gearing up for a potential postseason run, something the Patriots haven’t enjoyed since 2014.

The Patriots just missed out last year. A 5-5 overall record and 3-4 mark in GHSA Region 1-4A play didn’t get Westover into the postseason, with the Patriots finishing a game behind the final two playoff qualifiers from the region — Northside-Columbus and Americus-Sumter.

Add to the mix a couple of key players who transferred from the now-closed Albany High, and the potential is there to step into postseason position.

“Things are looking pretty good this year,” Westover head coach Octavia Jones said. “We have a lot of talent on this team. We have 27 seniors, and that’s the most seniors we’ve had since I’ve been here, nine years. We have a big junior class, as well.

“Their maturity level is where we need it to be in order to have the opportunity for us to be successful this year.”

Westover returns a pair of running backs in Jonathan Mock and Daveon Sanders, both juniors, who combined for more than 1,200 yards last season.

There’s also a solid receiving target back in the mix, with senior Cam Hill returning after a 544-yard season.

Jordan Walton, a 6-foot, 220-pound junior, is lining up under center after playing for Albany last season.

“We have a plethora of skill guys returning,” Jones said. “We’re breaking in a new quarterback, but he has kind of settled in.”

Defensively, Dan Land III anchors a unit that held the majority of its opponents to fewer than two touchdowns a game a year ago.

Only one team, region champion Cairo, yielded fewer points than Westover across all games among Region 1-4A teams last season.

Land, the son of former NFL defensive back and former Albany State head coach of the same name, is rated at three stars by the major recruiting services. He moved from cornerback to free safety last season.

“Defense is definitely going to be our strength,” Jones said. “Dan’s leading on that side of the ball, and he’s getting a lot of attention from colleges.

“He understands what to do on that side of the ball. He’s able to line guys up all across the field. He’s a good leader for us.”

Westover opens the season Friday at Pelham.