ODESSA – Coach Nick Persell and his Spartans worked through plays on Aug. 20 at the Odessa jamboree, a threeway, hard-hitting, preseason scrimmage among Richmond, Odessa and Lincoln College Preparatory Academy. Persell said the team ended last year’s season with almost 60 players and starts this season in the low 50s. “Right now, we have a small ninth-grade class. We may gain a few when school starts,” he said. The team lost several seniors to spring graduation, but those ranks have been filled. Among the seniors on offense this year are four-year starting quarterback Keyshaun Elliott, wide receiver Layne Cavanah, tight end Collin Cromley, wide receiver Jordan Alexander and running back Evan Vandiver. The offense has playmakers who know how to penetrate the end zone and returning players on the offensive line to protect Elliott and open holes, Persell said, mentioning familiar and lesser-known names ready to take the field. “Larry Penniston at center actually started and played…