LaFayette eyeing possible state berth in new-look region

When asked about his expectations for this year’s soccer team, LaFayette Ramblers head coach Casey Payne had to take a minute to think.

“Really, for the first time since I’ve been here as I coach, I’m really not too sure what to think,” he admitted. “I always have high expectations (for this team), but there are just so many unknowns this year.

“We have a few spots where we need guys to step up. If they do, our expectations will be high. The main thing is we just have to work hard, get everyone ready and hopefully everything will fall into place for us.”

LaFayette lost several key players from last year’s club, including four-year standout and 2016 Walker County Player of the Year, Mark Bennett, meaning some new players will be asked to fill some pretty big shoes in 2017.

Payne is counting on a quartet of seniors to lead the team, all four of which have been in the LaFayette program for four years.

“Austin McKin has always been solid for us at center midfield and we’ll be counting on him and Gio Jackson up front,” Payne explained. “Our only lefty, Sebastian Lanier, is going to play up front or in the midfield on the left side and then we have Eric Hu, on of the hardest workers I’ve ever had, you can play multiple positions.”

But the seniors won’t have to go it alone as the Ramblers have several returning starters that are hoping to help put LaFayette in a position to get into the state playoffs in what is always one of the toughest regions in all of Class AAAA.

Noah Armstrong continues to improve at the midfield and will need to be a go-to player for the Ramblers this spring. The defense will be anchored by Matthew Newsom and Trey Henderson, along with help from R.J. Seivers and Ben McDaniel, who will both likely be moving to the back line after playing up front last season.

In goal, Payne says he has talent in both Beau Thrash and Jett Harrison, just not a lot of varsity game experience.

“That position is also something of an unknown,” the coach added. “We’ve always had really solid keepers, and both guys we have this year have the skills and are capable of being that. But neither one has a lot of experience back there.”

Payne is hoping his new assistant coach, Chase Horne - himself a former keeper for the Ramblers - can help season his two netminders. Horne, who is doing his student teaching at LHS this year, will also coach this year’s JV team.

“Chase trained both of them in the offseason and they have already shown a lot of positive steps since he’s been working with them,” Payne said. “It’s exciting for them to have their own coach.”

Cartersville’s move to Region 5 will leave a spot open for another team to step up and grab a state playoff berth out of Region 6. Powerhouses Northwest Whitfield and Southeast Whitfield are virtual locks to clinch playoff spots, meaning the Ramblers will likely fight it out with Heritage, Gilmer, Pickens and county rival Ridgeland for the two remaining slots.

“A big point in clinching one of those (playoffs) spots is for everyone to step up and fill their roles,” Payne added. “If they do that, I think we have a pretty good shot.”