GREENE COUNTY
In just the second year of the Lake Oconee Academy football program, the Titans made strides of progress that could be seen in moments across the 2022 season.
First-year head coach Patrick Stewart is thankful for the position he’s in and proud of the way his team competed against tough opponents.
“Being the head football coach at LOA has been a blessing. I believe we have the best people, facilities, and resources ... develop these young men into outstanding football players and compete at a high level,” Stewart said. “I believe our kids took it head-on with resiliency and showed so much grit.
We competed with great opponents for four quarters, won against great opponents, and I believe we have finally laid the foundation of what it is going to take to be an elite football program.”
Lake Oconee Academy started the year off losing its only two games in August to George Walton Academy and Towns County; however the Titans would kick off the month of September with a win.
Stewart and his squad were able to host and defeat the Walker Wolverines out of Marietta 36-18 for the team’s first victory of the season.
After getting its first win, Lake Oconee Academy dropped another couple of games until its next victory came against Loganville Christian Academy.
“My and the team’s favorite has to be the LCA homecoming game. You couldn’t have drawn it up any better; 1,000-plus people in attendance of parents, former alumni, and in the community. We made a big decision to go for the win with one minute to go, and put it in the kid's hands to stop them and win,” Stewart said. “It was awesome to beat the old school I was a head coach for, and most importantly for the players it was awesome for them to feel that they can hang with anyone who steps on the field.”
The Titans would finish their last four games at 2-2, but both wins came in convincing fashion.
Stewart’s squad was able to shut out Notre Dame Academy 31-0, and the Titans dominated Georgia School for Innovation and Classics 43-0… in only the first quarter of play.
Even though the team only finished 4-6 on the season, Stewart attributes most of the success to the program’s seniors, who helped start the team last year.
“Garrett Payne, Sumner Coleman, Harrison Tolleson, Rhett Sandhagen, Ethan Hankinson and Jarvis Merritt will all be missed. These seniors not only helped us on the field but also helped push our goals and vision for this program,” Stewart said. “These guys helped our young guys see the end goal is so much better because football is the game of life. The lessons these guys learned from football and taught our younger guys will follow them so far in life.”
Ultimately, the Titans are just excited to eventually play region games and compete for a spot in the state playoffs.
With that being said, Stewart believes that Lake Oconee Academy’s stock will continue to rise as the younger kids come in and get their opportunities.
“We may be losing six seniors, but are gaining so much in each class. Our eighth-grade group consists of 22 players, maybe more by next year, and that will be very special. This group consists of so much raw athletic talent,” Stewart said. “Our leaders have really been young guys in the sophomore and junior classes, which helps a ton to push our vision and goals for a longer period of time. I believe next year, this team will have the right DNA of leadership, values, goals and team.”