Westside getting healthy for playoffs

The Westside Seminoles limp into the GHSA Class AAA playoffs with three losses in their past five games, but head coach Spoon Risper is upbeat heading into Friday night's matchup against Laney.

"We have had so many injuries this year that we have struggled a bit down the stretch, but we have some players back now, and we feel like we took a step in the right direction in our win over Southwest in the last game of the season," said Risper, whose team ended the regular season at 7-3. "We played the Spencer game without six defensive starters, and we played the Peach County game without our quarterback, but it is what it is.

"Every team has injuries, and that is not an excuse for losing games."

Westside has a potent offense when healthy. Savion Knowlton, a junior quarterback who's back after sitting out with a concussion, has thrown 22 touchdown passes, while veteran receivers Gerimie Mitchell and Steve Dolphus have combined for 82 catches and 17 touchdowns.

The running game features Donta Pate, Nygel Woodard, Lekelvin Clark and Knowlton, with all four rushing for more than 300 yards.

"We feel very good about our offense when everyone is healthy and expect to be able to score," Risper said. "Savion has been great as a first-year quarterback, but we will have to execute our offense in the red zone. If we can do that, I feel like we will score some points."

Defensively, Westside relies on three seniors: Tradonus Causey, who played only two games last year after breaking his leg, Kareem Warren and Abdul Davis. Causey has 81 tackles and 12 tackles for loss, Warren has 68 tackles and 26 tackles for loss and Davis has 14 tackles for loss.

"Those guys have got to be leader on the football field this Friday night," Risper said. "They have to play huge for us to win this game. The biggest thing is that we just can't give up the big plays."

Laney is 8-2 and enters the game riding a six-game winning streak.

"The film shows that they are loaded with athletes, and they are very explosive on offense," Risper said. "They can run and throw the football, and they went undefeated in their region. We are well aware that we have lost in the first round of the playoffs the last two years, and we know that is not what we want. I feel good with my guys, and I feel like they are starting to understand mentally what we have to do on Friday night."