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Offseason Player Spotlight : Kalen Stapp
Kalen Stapp

Player Spotlight
Kalen Stapp is heading into his final season with the Eastside Eagles looking to build off a strong junior season.

Stapp spends most of his downs at free safety and wide receiver for head coach Jay Cawthon.

With summer workouts in full swing, Stapp feels like the team is hitting its stride.

“We are pretty confident, everything is starting to click right now,” Stapp said. “It is still all coming together.”

Though he plays both sides of the ball, Stapp’s breakout season came in the secondary last year.

As a junior, Stapp tallied four interceptions and led the team with six pass deflections.

Stapp ended his junior season with Honorable Mention honors for Region 8-AAAAA.

In a position room alongside players such as Marion Eubanks Jr. and Jayden Barr, Stapp likes the group’s chances for success in 2024.

“We are feeling confident [and] feeling good,” Stapp said. “We are fast and physical.”

When asked who has pushed him the most in practice, Stapp could not name just one person.

“My coaches and teammates,” Stapp said. “They just keep me motivated and wanting to come back out here.”

As for the rest of summer, the plan is simple for Stapp.

“Keep getting better,” Stapp said. “Help my teammates and help the team accomplish as much as we can.”


Eagles down Titans 1-0, bring region title back to Eastside
Eagles claim first region title since 2001 in head coach Jabari Bennett's first year at the helm
Eastside North Oconee Soccer 2025 Region Champions
Eastside head coach Jabari Bennett celebrating with his team after the final moments of the Eagles' 1-0 win over North Oconee to claim the Region 8-AAAA title. - photo by Garrett Pitts
In just his first season as head coach, Jabari Bennett has brought a region championship back to EastsideOn Friday, the Eagles’ boys soccer team took down North Oconee 1-0 for the program’s first region title since the 2001 season.It was truly an emotional moment for Bennett and the Eagles’ faithful after the final seconds ticked off the clock. Following a celebration that featured a gatorade bath and the raising of Eastside’s new ‘Region 8-AAAA Champion’ banner, Bennett shared how special the moment was for him and the team.
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