Expectations raised for Spartans

By Tyler Tyre, Times Sports Editor
Posted 8/25/21

Seven Lakes made it back to the playoffs for just the fifth time in school history last season, but the ultimate goal still eludes them.

That goal is the only thing on the Spartans mind this year, …

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Expectations raised for Spartans

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Seven Lakes made it back to the playoffs for just the fifth time in school history last season, but the ultimate goal still eludes them.

That goal is the only thing on the Spartans mind this year, get the school’s first ever playoff victory.

“The advantage we have now is that our guys know what to expect,” said head coach Jimmy Hamon. “They’ve been there before, and they know what to expect in the playoffs. The first thing we have to do is make sure we get into the playoffs, and if we are lucky enough that we do, there won’t be any shock or deer in the headlights. We know what to expect.”

Last year’s team made it to the Class 6A, Div. I bi-district round, but ran into a wall in the form of Fort Bend Ridge Point, which made it all the way to the regional final game.

Expectations are higher for the Spartans this year.

“It’s not good enough anymore just to get there,” Hamon said. “That was maybe the mentality prior to this coming year, but we’ve been there, we’ve done that and now it’s time to take that next step. That experience of being there before is going to be huge for us and now we have to build on that.”

Seven Lakes graduated 38 players from last year’s team and returns five offensive starters and two defensive starters, but despite having a young defense, Hamon is confident in the group.

“The guys really have our schemes down and know our expectations on that side of the ball,” Hamon said. “It allowed us to do things in the spring that are more advanced and even though we’ll have nine new starters on defense, I think from game one you’ll see that discipline and preparedness from them.”

Offensively, Grayson Medford, who was the leading receiver on last year’s team, will get the first shot at quarterback and has impressed Hamon so far with his ability to both run and throw. D.J. Nechvatal and Filbert Presley will lead the offensive line.

Hamon has liked what he’s seen from Landon Ross at tight end who is moving up from JV last season. The team has three options at running back and Hamon feels comfortable with all of them.

“Medford is just a natural leader; he has a charisma about him,” Hamon said. “Even when he played receiver, players just looked to him and so moving him to quarterback gives him that role even more. He’s such a good athlete that we can’t afford not to use his legs, his arm and his creative playmaking ability. We are going to have to find some targets for him, but our running backs and our tight end Landon Ross will do a good job taking some pressure off him.”

Seven Lakes will face Houston Memorial on Aug. 27 at Rhodes Stadium to start the season and will open district against Katy High at Legacy Stadium on Sept. 23.