Sandy Creek hopes to contend for another state title

The story of Sandy Creek’s 2009 state championship campaign is well known by now. By the time they reached the Georgia Dome to take on Clarke Central, it seemed like everyone in Fayette County was rooting for the Patriots to take home the trophy. The cheers continued when they closed the deal with a strong finish in the second half and reached a fever pitch (at least from opposing coaches) when it was decided that Sandy Creek would be dropping from Class AAAA to Class AAA.

Last year is a fond memory now for Sandy Creek and now they are focused on the task at hand, trying to win in a demanding region, reach the state playoffs again, reach the final and bring another trophy home.

It’s not going to be easy.

“No doubt, there’s a target on our back every Friday night,” said head coach Chip Walker. “I’d rather have the success and deal with the pressure than the other way around though.”
And there is pressure, almost around every corner this season.
To start with, Sandy Creek is ranked number one in several preseason polls in Class AAA.

“The rankings are fun for the fans, but high school football is won on the field and not in the newspaper,” Walker stated. “As long as we get better every week, that’s all I worry about. We won’t talk a ton about it.”

Then there’s how the season starts for the Patriots - on the road at Whitewater, a team that is expected to do pretty well themselves this season. Sandy Creek won convincingly (43-6) last year, something the Wildcats have certainly been reminded of for the past few weeks.

And then there’s the new region.
Region 4-AAA features six state playoff teams from last year, three region champions, a state quarter finalist and a state semifinalist, in addition to the state champs.

“It’s going to be interesting,” Walker admitted.

What makes Sandy Creek an interesting team though is the players and while a number of players from last year’s team have moved on to collegiate careers, there is still a talented base that knows what it takes to win it all.

Senior Ronnie Bell leads the offense from quarterback and he’s behind an offensive line that Walker feels is ahead of where they were at this point last year. The line features Chris Whitlock, Jake Nolin, Isaac Saxon. Alan Knott and Will Adams.
Running the ball for the Patriots will be Derrick Alexander, Lennie Foster and Mike Hilton, while CJ Washington and Evan Moore will play at fullback.

While a lot of the players on the roster this year didn’t start last year, they all got some good playing time last year and five extra weeks of practice as the team marched to the finals.
Playing at receiver are Alex Chisum, BJ Trimble and freshman Demare Kitts. Junior Brandon Byrdsong will play at tight end and Walker thinks he could be as good a tight end as the team has ever had.

The defense, according to Walker, has looked pretty good, especially in the scrimmage win over Mary Persons. On the line are Gavin Rocker and Stefan Austin, while Jamal Ware, the middle linebacker, played well too.

Hilton has moved from linebacker to safety, while Bruce Dukes returns at corner. Jamel Gilliam is playing well in the secondary.

Sandy Creek jumps right in to the region schedule after the opener at Whitewater and will meet Fayette County on Oct. 29 at home, during a span where they play three of their final four games of the regular season at home. That home field advantage could come in very handy, especially if the region standings are as close as many think they will be.

You don’t have to win all the region games to go as far as you want to go, you just need to win that last game of the year.