Oglethorpe County’s special teams unit will feature several new faces this season as the Patriots work to build consistency.
Junior Omar Sagastume is one of those.
Originally a soccer player, Sagastume was recruited by coach Mike Holland to serve as the team’s kicker to handle kickoffs, extra points and field goals.
“Omar is very coachable,” Holland said. “He tries to do everything exactly right.”
Holland said Sagastume has made significant improvement since May, but wants him to continue to work on kicking a football in a live game environment.
He’ll look to replace Braxton Edmondson, who provided consistency and kicked a career-best 47-yard field goal in the victory over Commerce on Oct. 17.
“Just because you can kick a soccer ball really far, doesn’t mean you can kick a football really far,” Holland said.
Freshman Cooper Davenport will handle punting duties.
Davenport also plays running back, giving the Patriots an opportunity to take advantage of trick plays or fakes. Holland said Davenport is still developing as a punter, but will become more comfortable with more repetition.
Junior Hayden Williams will handle holding, with Tristen Cooper serving as the long snapper. Williams was cleared in July following last year’s ACL injury, and has worked hard to return to the field.
“I’m really proud of his off season progression and the way he’s worked to get back to playing,” Holland said.
Holland emphasized consistency was important for an inexperienced group.
“Our range may not be what it was last year, but we’re working on consistency with Omar,” Holland said.