The Skinny
Last season, Coach Van Spence led the Paulding County Patriots to the playoffs for the first time in eleven years. 2018 doesn’t get any easier for the Patriots. They play in one of the toughest regions in Class 5A; which includes two-time defending state champion Rome and perennial powers Carrollton and Kell. While facing that kind of competition is challenging in and of itself, Coach Spence explained what the biggest challenge for the upcoming season.
“Replacing the most successful senior class in Paulding County history,” he said.
The Patriots will return several players with experience on both sides of the ball. Logan Parvin and Damon Stamper will anchor the offensive line. They will lead the way for the two leading returning rushers, Jamal McIver and Smael Mondon. Jacob Fountain is projected to be one of the leading receivers for the Patriots.
Perhaps the biggest question marks will be at quarterback, as Paulding County has to replace the 2480 yards that Brantley Mauldin passed for a year ago.
Defensively, the Patriots return their leading tackler in linebacker Trell Evans. Joining Evans on defense are fellow linebacker Laamar Adams, defensive lineman Ja’on Walker and two-way player Smael Mondon at Safety.
Coach Spence is an advocate of the idea that the most important game on the schedule is the next one; one game at a time.
How will success be defined for the Patriots this season.
Spence said, “(by) how much we grow and improve from the beginning until the last snap.”
