MARIETTA - The downside for Sprayberry football is that the Yellow Jackets have to replace six starters on offense, seven on defense and nine scholarship players.

The upside is that Yellow Jackets are growing in numbers, thanks largely to their recent success. Roughly 115 players are participating in this year's spring practice and many already have varsity experience.

There are lots of vacancies, but the coaching staff will have a large selection from which to choose.

It wasn't long ago when the Yellow Jackets endured seven straight losing seasons. Since then, the Yellow Jackets are one of two Cobb County schools, Whitefield Academy being the other, that have made it to the state playoffs the last three seasons. Fourth-year Sprayberry coach Billy Shackelford has already raised the bar for the Yellow Jackets. Now he's ready to raise the bar a little higher.

"I think the kids at Sprayberry High School have been around several years and their expectations now is to compete at a state wide level," Shackelford said. "That's been our expectations ever since I got here."

The Yellow Jackets, who finished 7-4 last season after falling to Marist in the first round of the state playoffs, took advantage of their depth at spring practice by breaking into two teams, meaning second and third string players got first string repetitions.

Sprayberry's quarterback and running back positions was what made the team tick the last three seasons, and they will once again be a revolving door with McKinnon and Robert Bailey departing.

But the Yellow Jackets are stocked with worthy candidates.

Rising senior Alex Kinnard is now the frontrunner to take over at quarterback. He's got the advantage in experience, having played for Shackelford for three seasons. Juniors Oran Davis and Corbin Jackson are also vying for the quarterback position.

An experienced offensive line that averages 300 pounds will protect whoever wins the job.

"(Kinnard) can throw the ball better than average and can run better than average, but he really understands the playbook," Shackelford said. "This is his fourth year in the system and that allows us to do more things."

Running back options include junior Terrell Brownridge, who is also a returning defensive lineman, and senior P.J. Stone, who got plenty of reps last season.

Stone will also work with a corps of experienced receivers that includes seniors D.J. Funderburg and Marcus Moses. North Cobb transfer Niquay Mack may also play a significant role.

Sprayberry will have five starters back on a defensive unit that held the opposition to seven points or less in six straight games. Brownridge and Conner Porter are returning at the defensive line. Taylor Harren is moving from defensive line to linebacker, and Josh Moody and Chayse Chambers return to the secondary.

Sprayberry's schedule has also become more difficult. Its 5AAAA subregion slate will include Kell, Pope and East Paulding, all of which have moved down from Class AAAAA, and will also play non-region games against Lassiter, Kennesaw Mountain and Hillgrove.

"We're going to have to buckle our chin straps tight," Shackelford said.