Football preview: Spoto — Aug. 6

Spoto

At a glance

Coach: Keith Chattin, first season

Class: 3, District 6 (Metro)

Last season: 2-8

Key players: LB Takoki Brown, Sr.; QB Zorey Cotton, So.; DE Aiden Heathington, Jr.; CB/WR Jabari Judge, Sr.; RB/S Corri Ponder, Sr.

Schedule

Aug. 19 vs. Riverview, 7:30 (preseason)

Aug. 26 at Robinson, 7:30

Sept. 2 at Strawberry Crest, 7:30

Sept. 9 vs. Alonso, 7:30

Sept. 16 vs. King, 7:30

Sept. 23 Bye

Sept. 30 at East Bay, 7:30

Oct. 7 at Leto, 7:30

Oct. 14 vs. Bloomingdale, 7:30

Oct. 21 vs. Brandon, 7:30

Oct. 28 vs. Lennard, 7:30

Nov. 4 at Freedom, 7:30

Outlook

Keith Chattin, who previously coached at Lennard and John I. Leonard, was hired as Spoto’s coach. He takes over for Al Smith, who left after two seasons. Developing some continuity is the key in Chattin’s debut season with the Spartans. After all, the program has gone through six coaching changes in the past seven seasons. On offense, Spoto will be led by quarterback Zorey Cotton, running back Corri Ponder and receiver Jabari Judge. Defensively, the top returners are linebacker Takoki Brown and defensive end Aiden Heathington. Judge and Ponder can also play on that side of the ball. “They work extremely hard and they want to change the perception of Spoto Football,” Chattin said. “We will be better than most people think this season.”