LAFAYETTE RAMBLERS
After getting to the postseason for the first time in 27 years last fall, the LaFayette Ramblers are hoping to do something this season that hasn’t been done in the south end of Walker County in 30 years and something that’s only happened twice in LaFayette football history — make back-to-back postseason appearances.
The first time it happened ( according to the Georgia High School Football Historians’ Association) was in 1969 and 1970. Head coach Ralph Williams guided the Ramblers to a Region 7-AA title and a state quarterfinal appearance in 1969 and followed up with a region playoff berth in 1970.
It would happen again 20 years later as Rayvan Teague’s first two Rambler teams made it to the region playoffs in 1990 and 1991. Teague’s 1993 team won a 7-AA championship and played in the region playoffs, but that would be the last time the Orange-and-Black participated in a postseason game until last season’s trip to Cherokee Bluff two days after Thanksgiving.
And the task will fall to new head coach Andy Scott to try and make it happen again.
Scott was hired in April as the 37th all-time head coach of the Ramblers after Paul Ellis stepped down after leading the team the past three seasons. Scott led LaFayette through spring drills in May and said the transition of him taking over the program has been going well.
He gave credit to LHS principal Maggie Stultz for helping facilitate the assembly a full coaching staff after spring practice ended with just four coaches on staff.
“Nationwide and statewide, there’s a huge teacher shortage, but we’ve been very blessed,” Scott said. “We have seven coaches plus me, which is a big deal. It’s been a huge burden lifted off of me.
“And our kids have just been awesome. They’ve really done a good job of being here, working extremely hard, and learning our system.”
Scott said his players worked extremely hard in the summer to get ready for the season and that he is “cautiously optimistic” heading into the 2021 season opener this Friday night at Model.
“I think we’ve got a really good group of starters on both sides of the ball,” he began. “We have a few kids that are going to have to play both ways in critical situations, but I’m very pleased with the outlook of what I think we can be. When toe meets leather, we’ll see how it’s all going to play out, but I think we have a chance to be a really good football team.”
In talking about the offense, Scott started with the
big guys up front saying the line could end up being a huge strength for the team.
Senior Coy Pendergrass is one of just two returning first team All-Region players from a year ago. He will line up on the right side next to fellow senior Dakota Catlett to give the Ramblers solid protection and strong leadership. Scott said senior Tristan Lytle has had a good summer at center and that the line would get a boost from senior left guard Landon Morgan, who is back after taking some time away from the sport. Scott is also excited about the future of sophomore left tackle Noah Johnson.
Additional depth in the rotation will come from the likes of senior Brody Lones, junior Nyk Burse, and sophomores Chase Hughes and Michael Hamilton.
LaFayette will continue to run the spread on offense and
Scott said he expects to play senior Jaylon Ramsey “at every skill position known to man”. Primarily a quarterback the past two seasons, the electric Ramsey will still see some snaps under center, but will run and catch the ball out of the backfield a lot more this season. Over the past two years, Ramsey has over 2,400 yards rushing, more than 1,000 passing and 38 total touchdowns.
The Ramblers will be looking to junior signal-caller Zach Barrett, who is a good enough athlete to make plays with his feet or even play some at receiver, if needed. Scott also has confidence in sophomore Christian Keaton, another solid athlete, and believes that freshman Khalas Finley has the potential to shine before his high school career is over.
LaFayette plans to be multiple on offense and run some of the same plays as many
different ways as possible, and the Ramblers have a wealth of skill position players ready to get the job done.
Although the Ramblers will miss Duquesne University signee Jamario Clements and the 2,000-plus yards and 31 rushing touchdowns he put up over the past two seasons, there are plenty of options this fall. Seniors Trey Taylor, Jacob Zwiger and Teddy Ownby are big-play threats, along with junior Sam Hall and sophomore Dawson Pendergrass.
“We have a list of kids that have really done well in the spring and the summer,” Scott said. “We can’t wait to see if we can get the ball thrown around as much as possible. The key for us is to get the ball to our playmakers as many times as possible. That group right there has a chance to be pretty good.”