By Dave Morrison for the register-herald

Greenbrier East had a prolific enough passing attack, behind quarterback Brody Hamric and three receivers who combined for over 1,000 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns.

But whether the Spartans can improve their rushing game and stop other teams from doing so will go a long way in deciding whether the Spartans can improve on the even more meaningful won-loss record of 3-7 last year.

The Spartans rushed for just 974 yards( 97.4 yards per game) last fall. The team had just nine rushing touchdowns.

Take out Brody May, and at press time it appeared he had gone back to Allegheny, Va., after transferring in last year, and those numbers are down to 350 yards( 35.0 per game) and just one rushing touchdown( scored by graduated senior receiver Donavin Penn).

The last time Greenbrier East had a 1,000-yard rushing season was 2022 when the Spartans posted 1,937 yards. Who is next? It could be Zayir Lee, no relation to head coach Ray Lee. Brayden Brown and Gavin Eades are possible backfield possible options.

It could be that camp will bring a breakthrough candidate to help the Spartans recapture their running game.

Hamric had an outstanding, albeit shortened season due to injury that cost him the final two games of the season.

Before that he completed 78 of 136 passes( 57.4 percent) for 1,221 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Lee said his work ethic and talents are obvious, but his leadership is also coming to the surface because of it.

F. Brian Ferguson / For The Register-Herald

Greenbrier East’ s Grant Burdette( 23) picks up yards as Oak Hill’ s Tyler Ashmore drives him out of bounds in Oak Hill.

“( Leadership) is definitely going to be a benefit and it’ s not just because of his playing ability but his leadership ability,” said Lee, entering his 14th year.“ Teammates tend to respond to you and that’ s already been shown this summer.”

A trio of talented pass catchers return in Nate Suttle( 37 receptions, 568 yards, six touchdowns), Grant Burdette( 17-243-2) and Kaden Stone( 11-236- 3). That’ s a combined 65 receptions for 1,045 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The only major loss in the receiving corps was Donavin

Penn, who had five receptions( 113 yards), all for touchdowns.

Burdette has shown flashes of being the ultimate“ utility” player.

Not only did he have 17 receptions, but he also replaced injured quarterback Hamric and threw for 216 yards and six TDs on 12 completions.

Offensive line is a position with four starters back, including center Peyton Ritter, who can play any of the five line spots, third-year starter Gage Blevins, junior Harrison Smith and Dravin Ambler.

Defending the run is a priority for the Spartans, who gave up 211.4 rushing yards and 35 points per game.

2025 SCHEDULE

SOUTHERN W. VA. GAME NIGHT- AUGUST 2025 • 5