Westfield football preparing for some much needed home cooking

The Westfield School Hornets and their new head football coach Jamey Watson are about to start a new season with not only three consecutive home games but three games against the best GISA (Georgia Independent School Association) has to offer. Two of their initial opponents played for the state title last season. If there was ever a time for a new coach and a young team to start bonding it’s right now. “We lost a lot of players from last year,” said Watson by phone. “The biggest thing is for our kids to get experience and learn what we’re trying to teach them as quickly as possible.” Watson is not new to the school, he has been coaching and teaching there for 20 years, “18 years full-time,” says Watson.

The Hornets have a few upperclassmen returning and they will be counted on to provide not only great play but locker room leadership. “We have a little experience on the offensive line returning,” says Watson of the two senior starters and offensive linemen Connor Doles and Landon Wainwright. About the pair and their expected impact Watson says, “They’re going to be our strength and we’re going to lean on them this season.” Juniors Payton Black and Wyatt Young are currently in a competition for the starting quarterback position according to Watson. Three-year starter Ryan Fitzpatrick graduated this Spring and left a hole at the position that needs filling fast. The Hornets open the season against Terrell Academy (Dawson) on Thur., Aug. 11 followed by games with Southland Academy (Americus) on Aug. 19 and Valwood (Valdosta) on Aug. 26.

Starting the season with three of their first four games at home may be just what the doctor ordered for a team as young as Westfield. “The front end [of the schedule] will be tough, the teams we are playing will be some of the toughest we’ll play this year, so it’s good to be playing them at home,” says Watson.

New coach, new quarterback, tough schedule to start the season, Watson and his Hornets will have to make the most of the 2016 season one way or the other, “We’ll see what we’ve got when we hit the field and we’ll work on what we need to work on from there,” says Watson.

The Hornets play their home games at the ‘Hornet’s Nest’ on campus on Ronnie Jones Field at Marvin Arington Stadium. The school holds two state championships (2013, 2014).

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