The Oglethorpe County football team has started spring practice, which consists of 10 practices in roughly two weeks.
Head coach Mike Holland expects improvement from rising seniors Brock Barrett, O’Maury Huggs, Caden Hartrum and Tanner Mckie, and rising juniors Hunter Hall and Jude Morris, among others.
“I really expect O’Maury Huggs to have a breakout year,” he said. “Brock Barrett should be lights out up front.”
There is an ongoing competition for the quarterback position between Hartrum, Hall and rising junior Nicah Pass. Holland said last November that eight players saw action behind center for the Patriots, who were 0-10 last year.
Spring practice will conclude with a scrimmage against East Jackson on May 16.
Starting his fifth season, Holland said he is focusing on team building this year because “that was the piece that (they) were missing” last year. He also recognizes that Region 8-A Division I features several competitive programs.
The Patriots will play a scrimmage at Lincoln County on Aug. 8 and then open the season at Social Circle on Aug. 15.
The first home game is against East Hall on Aug. 22.
Although things on the field will be similar to previous seasons offensively and defensively, there will be changes to formations. The Patriots hope to become more systematic in their plays.
“It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it,” Holland said. “That’s really been the focus for us in the offseason.”