Video by Talbert Toole
By Adam Brown
Sports Editor
adam.brown@hottytoddy.com.
The Lafayette High School Commodores open the 2018 football season at William L. Buford Stadium against Cleveland Central Aug. 17 with a 7 p.m. kickoff time.
Last season the Commodores stepped into the 5A classification, but the season didn’t end as they hoped. LHS finished with a 3-8 overall record and went 3-4 in district play.
Lafayette head coach Michael Fair said the team battled injuries last season and had trouble replacing starters.
“We are replacing them with younger guys that haven’t seen much action, whereas an experienced larger 5A school’s depth chart is a little further along than ours,” he said. “During the off-season we have really worked on getting ready for the 5A schedule.”
Members of the team said they’ve worked hard this summer to prepare and are ready to storm the field.
“Last season was a learning season for us as we were trying to get together and get everybody on the same page,” senior Jamie Shaw said. “It was a struggle at times, but this year everything has been clicking for us.”
The Commodores have 25 returning seniors to the team this year, with most penciled in at No. 1 or 2 on the depth chart.
“(We) should be a lot more experienced than last season,” Fair said.
Senior Brandon Turnage said the team is on the same page and has the same mindset.
“Now we just have to learn how to play together,” he said.
