Westside, Rutland ready to get their seasons started

Spoon Risper and George Collins quickly agree on one thing. The head coaches at Westside and Rutland can’t wait to get on the field for their first game.

The Seminoles and Hurricanes meet at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Ed DeFore Sports Complex.

“This is a great time of year because every team has high expectations,” Collins said. “I know that we feel that we have worked hard this offseason to get ready for this season, and I have a very coachable group of guys. The only thing that can rain on our parade is that we open up with a very good Westside team.

“Our kids don’t dwell on it, but all of them are aware that we have never beaten them.”

Westside has never lost to another Bibb County program, something Risper and the Seminoles take pride in.

“I would be fibbing if I told you our kids weren’t aware of that fact,” said Risper, who is in his 17th year at Westside and seventh as the head coach. “The other teams and the media will not let us forget that. I believe that the Macon schools have the best group of coaches we have ever had, and there are some teams that are getting much better over the last few years, but we are not ready to give up that streak.

“Every streak comes to an end sooner or later, but I am hoping it’s not on my watch.”

Risper has a talented group of receivers, led by Gerimie Mitchell and Steve Dolphus, but the Seminoles have a first-year starter at quarterback and running back.

“We feel good with Savion Knowlton at quarterback, and he has earned his playing time, and we will use three running backs with Nygel Woodard, Donta Pate and LeKelvin Clark all getting time,” Risper said. “I think the defense might have to carry us at the beginning of the season, and they are a high-energy group that is quite capable of doing that.”

Rutland also is be breaking in a new quarterback, with sophomore K’vian Fuller winning the job.

“He is getting better every day,” Collins said. “If we can get him through the shock of starting his first varsity game, we think he will be fine. We have an experienced offensive line that has worked hard to get better, and we want to be able to run the football with Ladarian Womack. If we can run the football and stay away from injuries every week, I feel like we have the chance to be pretty good.”

The Hurricanes’ defense should be much better with linebackers Jimel Dean and Devontae Dumas both returning after suffering torn ACLs a year ago.

“I will be walking around the fieldhouse with my headphones on listening to the war chants from the Florida State band and listening to Westside’s fight song,” Risper said of the excitement of the season opener. “Westside football never gets old to me, and the week of the first game is a very exciting time.”

“I have been here so long that I bleed garnet and gold. I just can’t wait to get started, and I am sure Coach Collins feels the same way.”

This story was originally published August 27, 2015 at 6:57 PM with the headline "Westside, Rutland ready to get their seasons started ."