Greenbrier East made the Class AAA postseason playoffs three out four years from 2018 – 2021.
The last two years have seen the Spartans on the outside looking in, but that could easily change this season.
Reclassification has left Greenbrier East in AAA, but it also moved 16 teams up to the higher quad-A class.
“Looking at it, when they kept us here in triple-A, it was more of a traveling schedule for us. Before the class changes we were traveling to Parkersburg South which is three hours. We had trips to the (Kanawha) Valley,” Greenbrier East head coach Ray Lee said. “Our schedule is still good and not easy, but now we don’t have the travel time. We have playoff teams on our schedule. Alleghany, Va., Princeton and Oak Hill is on the schedule, but now our longest trip is to Bluefield.”
Even better news for the Spartans heading into the 2024 season is the fact that the young inexperienced players are now veterans of the Friday night lights.
“We were so inexperienced and so inexperienced in the places where you need experienced players,” Lee said. “We started nine sophomores and two freshman. All of those guys are back plus some others that were sophomores. We didn’t have a JV team last year because we used all of those young guys to play varsity.”
“Those guys now have that Friday night experience and we are hoping that they can build off of that,” Lee went on to say. “Every time people ask me about last year I have to say that team was thrown to the wolves. They had to swim, sink or drown.”
Greenbrier East will need to replace Aiden Cole along the line, but the Spartans return four players up front that Lee describes as excited to improve over last year.
Provided the guys in the trenches can do their job efficiently, Greenbrier East has some dynamic weapons that starts with junior quarterback Brody Hamric.
Last year as a first-year starter, Hamric threw for over 1,500 yards with 13 touchdown passes.
“Brody has that no-quit mentality and he doesn’t like to lose. I like that attitude,” Lee said. “He is more hard on himself than the coaches are and he is a smart guy. He has good football intelligence and knows how to read coverages.”
Nate Suttle returns at running back and Greenbrier East will benefit from some complimentary players to the hard-hitting junior tailback.
“We have some competition there. We have a couple of guys that moved here from Virginia. One is from Roanoke and one from Alleghany,” Lee said. “That will take the load off Suttle. Keyshawn Bland is a sophomore coming up, so we have some options and it will be thick up there. Competition is making everybody rise to the top.”
The Spartans have experienced receivers and a big target in Grant Burdette who has received interest from Virginia Tech. Last year the big tight end had 39 grabs for 515 yards and two touchdowns.
“Grant is improving every year,” Lee said. “We know people will target him and make sure they have him covered. We should be able to throw the ball to someone else if that happens.”
On the defensive side of the ball the Spartans will have to replace three key starters lost to graduation.
“Brayden Brown is sophomore at corner and outside linebacker. He got a good taste of Friday nights,” Lee said, smiling. “He hung in there and now you can see that level of confidence in him. He is vocal and showing some leadership.”
Rhett Baker will be a space-eater for Greenbrier East and a vital player on the defensive line and Lee expects good things from Bo Boyer as well..
“Rhett has worked his tail off in the weight room and he is strong. It is hard running up the middle on him,” Lee said. “He is in the backfield, clogging things up. He might not make the tackle, but you can’t get around him. Bo had to fill in last year, but he too has worked his tail off and you can see that level of confidence across the defensive front.”‘
Although the 2023 season was a tough one, Lee feels the work put in through the tough times will pay big dividends this year.
“I am proud of them and I say that whole-heartedly. We started the season with 44 guys and ended the season with 42,” Lee said. “The two that didn’t come back were due to injuries or something else that took place. They didn’t just flat out quit.”
Greenbrier East opens with Riverside at home on Aug. 30 before hosting longtime rival Beckley in Week 2.
