A lot has changed for Rabun County since the end of the 2021 season. After a crushing loss in the quarterfinals, the massive senior class headlined by Gunner Stockton and several other next-level players, Jaybo Shaw led off the coaching exodus by going to Wayne County. The entire staff was dismantled, with the exception of now head coach Michael Davis, who was the OC last year, and Wes Holcombe, who stays on board. The coaching overhaul also saw some new players come to Rabun, including Keegan Stover, an All-Region, Division-I QB (pocket passer) from West Forsyth. There are several key playmakers back at the skill spots, headlined by All-American Jaden Gibson and All-State back Lang Windham. Another new change comes in the moving down in classification from 8-AA to 8-A Division I for Rabun. While there is much that is new at Rabun, the expectation hasn’t changed.

Head Coach: Michael Davis, 1st season
2021 Record: 11-2; State Quarterfinals; Region Champions; #1 State Ranking

“Like every year here at Rabun, we expect to win a Region Championship and win a State Championship,” declares Davis. “We have a lot of work to do and a long way to go but I have hired some really good coaches and I am confident they will get them to that point.”

2022 Schedule

AUG 12 vs BOWDON *Scrimmage

AUG 19 @ HARALSON COUNTY

AUG 26 vs STEPHENS COUNTY

SEP 2 vs ADAIRSVILLE

SEP 9 BYE

SEP 16 @ HEARD COUNTY

SEP 23 vs WHITEFIELD ACADEMY

SEP 30 @ FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN

OCT 7 @ ST. FRANCIS

OCT 14 @ ELBERT COUNTY^

OCT 21 vs ATHENS CHRISTIAN^

OCT 28 vs COMMERCE^

NOV 4 BYE

^REGION 8-A DIVISION I GAME

Personnel & Schemes

Key Departures: Gunner Stockton, Bear Old, Will McCraw, Knox McKinney, Baxley O’Brien, Chris Thompson, Turner Grimmett, Will Turpin, Hunter Moore, Hogan Woodard

It’s depressing to look at what moved on from Rabun County. Many of these guys can’t be replaced one-off. It’s got to be done in mass production. Stockton leaves as the greatest QB in state history, so as good as newcomer Stover might be passing the ball, it’s unfair to expect him to be Gunner Stockton. The OL/DL group takes a massive hit as well, and that’s where it will be felt the most really. The secondary also has a lot to replace.

Key Returning Players: Jaden Gibson, Lang Windham, Cory Keller, Keegan Stover (transfer from West Forsyth), Cesar Cruz, Nic Baloga, Willie Goodwyn, Noah Legault (transfer from West Hall), Hayden Ross

You won’t really see a dip in offensive production the way you think. Even without Stockton, Stover should carve up defenses and put up some HUGE numbers in the passing game. He’s not a dual threat like we’ve seen at Rabun with Stockton, Bailey Fisher, Collin Grant, Wes Holcombe, etc. Still, he’s got the receiving group to help him put up big stats. Gibson returns after being one of the nation’s top receivers, and he’s recently committed to Georgia Southern. Windham will be elusive as usual in the run game, which opens everything up. Keller and Noah Legault (West Hall) will also get their share of yards and TDs.

Up & Coming Players: Ethan Owens, Paul Picciotti, Keegan Stover, Emilliano Ortiz, Hayden Ross, Noah Legault, Ty Truelove

Owens (LB), Picciotti (WR/OLB), Ortiz (OL/DL), Ross (WR/OLB), and Legault (WR/DB) are the ones to look out for. Stover is a senior move-in with All-Region honors already, so he’s new to the scene at Rabun, but known across the state as a next level pocket passer.

Offense: Spread

It’s more of the same for the Wildcats, even without Stockton. Davis ran the offense last season, so expect the same explosiveness. Granted, Stover is not the runner that Stockton was. However, the passing game will be wide open once again. He’ll sling it all over the yard, and Jaden Gibson will be on the receiving end early and often. Cory Keller and Noah Legault will be top receivers as well. Lang Windham will be the same speedy back getting the bulk of the carries as usual, but is better than ever heading into his senior year.

Defense: 3-3 Stack

The same scheme as last season for Rabun here. Keller, Cesar Cruz, Nic Baloga, and Ethan Owens are the names that will lead the charge. Will the entire unit be as great as it was under coach Rob Stockton? That is to be seen, but with those guys listed, it should be a stingy defense once again.

Trenches: “This is where we have to replace a lot of good players,” adds Davis. “Braxton Brady will be our center, Jack Hood will be a really good tackle for us this year. Emiliano Ortiz and Jet Galbreath will be solid on the defensive line.”

This is also where Cesar Cruz will help tremendously being that familiar and great presence on the line to lead this group.

Strengths & Areas of Focus

Strengths: “Our strengths are going to be overall team speed and athleticism,” says Davis. This has long been the case at Rabun County, as the Cats are usually the most conditioned team in Northeast Georgia.

Focusing On: “Our focus this offseason has been trying to get our kids stronger and doing more to develop experience,” adds Davis. “We have some really good players but most just need experience.”

GAME-BY-GAME & SEASON PREDICTIONS FOR RABUN COUNTY