West Forsyth

Jacob Smith Forsyth County News West Forsyth seniors Jay Helstone, left, and Max Freeman give the Wolverines experience along the line of scrimmage.

West Forsyth still hungry after region title, Elite 8 appearance

By David Roberts

droberts@forsythnews.com

The start of the GHSA football season will begin Aug. 18 at West Forsyth High School.

It’s the second straight year the Wolverines will kick off the season in the Corky Kell Classic. West will host the Cherokee vs. Mays game, then will face Carver-Atlanta in the nightcap.

“I would be surprised if we’re not one of the first games in the country, so I think that’s really exciting for our kids,” West head coach Dave Svehla said. “We’re playing a really good football team. I know Carver got to the third round last year and have something like 18 starters back on offense and defense. They’re going to be really good. It’s a real quality opponent for us, and I think our kids are excited about that. Our community is excited about that. Being on TV is a good thing if you play well. It’s a chance to showcase Forsyth football a little bit. As a county, I think we’re starting to elevate the quality of play there.”

West certainly played well on TV last season, demolishing Mays 42-6 on their way to a 9-4 campaign, which included a Region 6-7A championship and a trip to the Class 7A Elite Eight.

The Wolverines graduated some key pieces, including UGA enrollee Dylan Fairchild, leading tackler Kobe Haynes and leading rusher Daba Fofana.

However, tight end Oscar Delp has emerged as one of the nation’s top seniors and starting quarterback Keegan Stover returns after passing for more than 1,400 yards and 19 touchdowns.

For Svehla, however, the offense begins up front with the running game.

“We really need to improve offensively running the football. I don’t think we ran the ball well last year compared to what I would like to do,” Svehla said. “I think that our offensive linemen – Max [Freeman] and John Leonard and some of those kids – have done a really good job and had a really good summer. They’re probably in the best shape of their lives.”

West’s offensive line is anchored by two big, physical tackles. Freeman [6-foot-4, 275 pounds] is a returning starter at right tackle with multiple Division I offers, while Leonard [6-foot-4, 285 pounds] returns at left tackle.

In all, each of West’s expected starters on the offensive line took snaps last season.

“I feel like what we do really well is, we’re very agile as a group,” Freeman said. “A lot of us are both laterally and vertically getting to the second level, but also making plays. For example, See WEST | 24

^Aug. 18 – Carver at West Forsyth Aug. 27 – Cartersville at West Forsyth Sept. 3 – BYE Sept. 10 – West Forsyth at Walton Sept. 17 – Mill Creek at West Forsyth Sept. 23 – BYE *Oct. 1 – West Forsyth at North Forsyth *Oct. 8 – West Forsyth at South Forsyth *Oct. 15 – Forsyth Central at West Forsyth *Oct. 22 – Gainesville at West Forsyth *Oct. 29 – Lambert at West Forsyth *Nov. 5 – West Forsyth at Denmark

^Corky Kell Classic *Region 6-7A game

2020 results

9-4 Overall, 5-1 Region 6-7A

West Forsyth 42, Mays 6 Cartersville 28, West Forsyth 17 West Forsyth 24, Walton 21 Mill Creek 20, West Forsyth 17 *North Forsyth 24, West Forsyth 10 *West Forsyth 41, South Forsyth 34 (2OT) *West Forsyth 21, Forsyth Central 0 *West Forsyth 14, Gainesville 7 *West Forsyth 42, Lambert 27 *West Forsyth 20, Denmark 10 **West Forsyth 39, Meadowcreek 14 **West Forsyth 17, North Gwinnett 16 **Grayson 33, West Forsyth 0

*Region 6-7A game **GHSA playoff game

trophy case

First varsity season: 2008 Playoff appearances: 10 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) Region titles: 1 (2012) State titles: 0

the coach Dave Svehla

At West: 9-4, second season Overall: 58-45, 10th season