HS Football: Spartans aim to tame the Tigers

Greenbrier East hosts undefeated Chapmanville in first return to playoffs since 2021

Chapmanville ran through the regular season undefeated for the first time since 1986.

Even at that, the No. 9-seeded Tigers will be on the road at No. 8-seed Greenbrier East (6-4) to open the Class AAA football playoffs.

The updated classifications placed Chapmanville in class AAA with a predominantly AA schedule, hurting the Tigers in the playoff formula.

So, what is there to make of the visitors from Logan County? Spartans head coach Ray Lee summed it up from his perspective.

"It's what I say constantly. It doesn't matter what level, if you go 10-0, you are doing something right," Lee said. "You don't get to 10-0 by accident. Coach (Zach) Belcher does a good job with his team down there. They have good football players."

Chapmanville has really only been tested once this year and that was in week two at Nicholas County in a 24-12 win.

The offense has averaged 46 points per game while the defense allows only about six points per contest, including four shutouts and four single digit games.

"They have a quarterback that is pretty tall and a wide receiver that can run well," Lee said. "They have a big linebacker in the middle that is a good size guy and a big tight end, standing about 6-5 or 6-6. The linebacker also plays in the backfield. They have some players."

Greenbrier East won four of its first five games including wins over AAAA foes, Riverside, Beckley and Oak Hill in that stretch.

Since the 4-1 start, the Spartans are 2-3 with losses to Princeton, Nitro and Bluefield.

"We have played against some really good football teams throughout the season," Lee said. "These are the same kids when we didn't have a JV team. They ended up being our varsity team. One night we looked out on the field and we had eight sophomores, two seniors and a freshman playing."

After basically getting their football education from the school of hard knocks, the senior group led East back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

"They got their feet wet early," Lee said. "The thing that makes me so proud of them is that they all stuck together. They just made a pact that they were going to stick it out."

Greenbrier East will be bolstered by the return of tailback A.J. Godfrey who missed the final two games of the season.

When East was rolling, Godfrey was a huge key to the success rushing for 1,010 yards on 219 carries.

Senior Brody Hamric is the Spartan signal caller and has been solid all year throwing for 1,613 yards and 18 touchdowns.

"Brody has really matured. He has minimized his mistakes and he is not forcing anything," Lee said. "He is running the ball when there is something there and not forcing the ball. His touchdown to interception ratio has been pretty darn good."

Hamric has also had three play-makers to work with in Kaden Stone, Nate Suttle and Grant Burdette who have combined for 16 of the end zone strikes.

Lee broke down what he feels will be the keys for a Greenbrier East victory.

"Our guys just need to go out and play their best game like we talk about all the time. You can't make mistakes against good football teams," Lee said. "Take advantage of their mistakes and keep their offense off of the field. I think that is their weapon."

If the Spartans can secure a victory, it will be the first playoff win for East since 1996.

The winner of Friday's clash will play the victor between No. 1 Bridgeport and No. 16 PikeView in the quarterfinals.