With high school football summer practices in full swing, the Lake Oconee News is doing a series breaking down the schedules for Morgan County, Lake Oconee Academy, and Lake Oconee Academy. This week, it’s the Lake Oconee Academy Titans.
Lake Oconee Academy coach Patrick Stewart has high expectations after his team went 7-3 overall last year.
The Titans enter year four of the program, but they’ll play a full-region schedule this season, meaning they are finally eligible for the postseason. Stewart and his players have set several goals, including making the playoffs.
However, LOA must navigate through a rigorous schedule in its first season, competing against one of the best regions in Class A Division II. The Titans will play six non-region games and four-region contests this year.
“We’ve got big expectations coming off last year. We went 7-3, which was really, really good. It was great for the guys and program,” Stewart said. “So, we’ve got higher standards and expectations going into this season.”
LOA will open up its schedule with six straight non-region games. The Titans’ first four contests will be at home. They’ll host Mount Paran Christian, George Walton Academy, Hancock Central, and Brentwood Academy.
After that four-game home stretch to open the season, LOA will be on the road against Glenn Hills and Landmark Christian. The Spartans and War Eagles are in larger classifications in the Georgia High School Association.
Mount Paran, George Walton, and Brentwood are all part of the Georgia Independent School Association, but Patrick believes the competition will still be challenging. He also believes Hancock Central will be a test.
“Our non-region will be pretty tough,” Stewart said. “I believe week-in-and-week-out it will be good competition, and it will prepare us for our region schedule in the first year eligible. Every week is going to be a battle. These guys have been working extremely hard and are ready for it.”
Lake Oconee Academy’s region schedule will be a gauntlet, starting with Washington-Wilkes on Oct. 4, after the team’s bye week. The Titans will return home to host Warren County the following Friday and play at Lincoln County the following week. They’ll finish out the regular season at crosstown Greene County on Oct. 25.
The bye week is an excellent time for LOA, especially after six consecutive weeks of non-region games.
“Thankfully, that bye week will benefit us and will come at the right time. We can use it to scout other [region] teams and also get ahead of the game for our guys from a [preparation] standpoint,” Stewart said. “And you never know what your team will look like regarding injuries at that part of the season. Hopefully, we can stay healthy. That week will allow us to try to be 100 percent [healthy] heading into the region schedule.”
Stewart and his players respect the teams in the region, including powerhouse programs such as Lincoln County, Washington-Wilkes, and Greene County. But they want to give each team in the region their best shot.
“Football is a whole different animal because our region has several great teams historically. The physicality and the level of play will be higher this season,” Stewart said. “I believe it’s only motivated our guys, especially this summer, as they showed up for workouts. … I think everybody – across the board – is excited.”