Sports
Wesleyan Hopes to Reach Playoffs Again
Only six starters return, but the Wolves will still have plenty of experience to make a run for the Region 5-A title in 2011.
UPDATED: 11:00 a.m., Aug. 25, 2011
PEACHTREE CORNERS -- Wesleyan suffered heavy losses to graduation. Only six starters return following last year's very successful 10-2 season during which the Wolves made to the second round of the state playoffs.
But year in and year out, the Wolves seem to find talented replacements for their graduating seniors. So, don't count them out of another run for the region championship and a return trip to the playoffs.
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Coach Franklin Pridgen said the Wolves success will depend on "how quickly we can develop our young players filling spots vacated by a large class of seniors. We need them to step up and grab the reigns of the program."
Wesleyan got a good look at those replacements in the offseason and Pridgen said he felt like they were ready to make their mark in Region 5-A now.
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"Those juniors are now seniors and they have responded well to the challenge in front of them," Pridgen said. "I am very excited to get things started."
Returning starters on the offense include offensive lineman Josh King (5-8, 240), senior wide receiver Rodney Morris (6-3, 200) and senior tight end Eric Rappe (6-0, 215).
Rappe will start at end on the defensive side along with holdover senior linebacker Jamie Stark (6-4, 205) and senior safety Zander Yost (6-0, 185).
"As our most experienced returning starters, Josh, Zander, and Eric will be relied upon heavily to lead us to another successful season," Pridgen said.
Because the Wolves were so successful last season, many of the reserve players who are now saw plenty of game experience so if they develop quickly, Wesleyan may be headed back to the playoffs in 2011.
Wesleyan's first game of the season is an away game on Friday, Aug. 26 where they will face off with Seminole County High School. Then the Wolves will play their first home game the following Friday, Sept. 2 against Elbert Co. High School, game time is 7:30 p.m.
Editor's Note: When the story first publised on Tuesday, Aug. 23, we indicated that Wesleyan had won the 5-A title last year, please note the Wolves made it to the second round of the playoffs in the 2010-11 season but did not win the title. We apologize for the error.