It's the beginning of the post season for GISA football, and many Central Georgia teams are gearing up for a chance at the coveted state title.

This week, we feature the Westfield Hornets, who are on a mission for their first football championship after several close calls.

It was a typical afternoon football practice at Westfield, but this year, the Hornets sting with the intensity of a Friday night hoping to tackle another shot at a state title.

Head Coach Ronnie Jones says, "I think if you would have told me at the first of the year that I would be 9-1, I would have been extremely happy because we had to replace a lot of folks, and these boys just play well together."

Coach Ronnie Jones knows the blueprint on how to get his mean green in a fight for the gold. During his 17 years as head coach, he has added 4 more title games to the schools lone appearance in the mid '80s.

The fans that fill these seats at the Hornets Nest are buzzing for another state championship run and although Westfield has yet to win the big game, the coaches say don't call this program a failure.

"There's a lot of people that like to say, 'You're the first runner-up, then you're the bridesmaid,'" said Jake Walls, former player and now Westfield coach.

"We don't look at it like that. We think it's a testament to what Coach Jones has built here that we have the opportunity to compete for state championships even though we haven't always had the best talent. We'll get one before it's over."

Jake Walls is just one of four coaches on Jones' staff who have played on a state runner-up team at Westfield. Besides Walls in 1994, there is defensive coach Jaime Watson back in 1986, Kyle Barfield in 2002, and Chad Ekey in 1988.

They feel that experience can help coach this new team to winning that elusive state title.

Chad Ekey says, "It does help a little bit seeing it firsthand, early in your career or even as a coach, too. We can let them know that there is a hype, but you have to keep your nerves down and your mind clear for that game. That state championship, it's possible."

"It's kind of expected at Westfield you're going to compete for state championships, so the fact that several of the coaches have been to state finals kind of increases that tradition and desire for us to bring to the kids what we were able to be a part of," says Walls.

The Westfield Hornets' chase for the championship starts against the Cougars of Holy Spirit Prep. The game is set for Friday night at 7:30 on the campus of Westfield.