Chad Bennett takes over a White County program that has had much success over the past decade-plus. Longtime coach Tim Cokely retired, and former Warriors OC Bennett was a natural great fit to pen a new chapter.

Head Coach: Chad Bennett, 1st season
2021 Record: 4-7; State 1st Round

“The 2022 expectation is for the guys to play hard, fast, and physical each week with great discipline, toughness, and class,” states Bennett. “To improve each day, and find a way to go 1-0 every time we take the field.”

2022 Schedule

AUG 12 vs EAST FORSYTH *SCRIMMAGE

AUG 19 vs NORTH HALL

AUG 26 @ HABERSHAM CENTRAL

SEP 2 vs CHESTATEE

SEP 9 BYE

SEP 16 @ STEPHENS COUNTY

SEP 23 BYE

SEP 30 vs DAWSON COUNTY^

OCT 7 vs WESLEYAN^

OCT 14 @ WEST HALL^

OCT 21 vs LUMPKIN COUNTY^

OCT 28 @ PICKENS^

NOV 4 @ GILMER COUNTY^

^REGION 7-AAA GAME

Personnel & Schemes

Key Departures: Silas Mulligan, Darius Cannon (transfer to Gainesville), Bryson Cronic, Zion McMullen, Malachi Zellers

Mulligan and Cannon were the offense last year. Cannon, a 3-star recruit, moved to Gainesville. Cronic, McMullen, and Zellars did a lot of the dirty work. These are big shoes to fill.

Key Returning Players: Tripp Nix, JD Trowell, Ryan Fowler, Kane Lowery, Jeb Robinson, Jacob Holbrook, Colton Turner, Trenton O’Kelly

Nix should improve with a freshman year under him as a varsity starter. JD Trowell might be the MVP of this team, though all of the guys above will all be the ones who dictate how good this team can be in 2022.

Up & Coming Players: Offensively, Bennett counts QB’s Tripp Nix (So.) and Braxton Anderson (Fr.) as up-and-coming, as well as RB’s: Ryan Fowler (Jr.) and Noah Williams (So). WR’s: Vondre Nelson (Jr.), Cam Wilson (Jr.), Caysen Duvall (Jr.), and Brayden Roach (So.). TE: Nate Bray (Sr.)  OL: Tyler Autry (So.), Landon Bulgin (Jr.), Jarrett Ellis (Jr.), and Christian Welch (Jr.) Defensively:  DL: Devin Norton (Sr.), Luke Dockery (Sr.), Gunner Young (So.), Dade Anderson (So.), Tyler Autry (So.).  LB: Noah Williams (So.), Nate Bray (Sr.), Carson Smith (Jr.), Cade Dockery (So.), and Ryan Fowler (Jr.).  DB: Cam Wilson (Jr.), and Vondre Nelson (Jr.).

Offense: Spread

Tripp Nix, the incumbent at QB, and Braxton Anderson will compete for playing time. Ryan Fowler and Noah Williams will be the featured ball carriers. At WR, Bennett feels there are multiple options, led by Kane Lowery, Colton Turner, Vondre Nelson, Cam Wilson, Caysen Duvall, Nate Bray, Brayden Roach, Joseph Haynes, and Elijah Nelson.

Defense: Multiple 3-3 Stack

This group will be led by seniors Jeb Robinson (DL/LB), Jacob Holbrook (LB), and Colton Turner (DB).

Trenches: “The offensive line will be anchored by J.D. Trowell (will be a 4-year starter) and Trenton O’Kelly (3-year starter),” says Bennett. “We are also expecting big things from senior Matthew Gee. Christian Welch, Jarrett Ellis, Landon Bulgin, and Tyler Autry are all competing for a starting spot on the offensive line. The DL will be anchored by Jeb Robinson at nose. Devin Norton is having a strong summer and should secure one of the DE spots. Others that will play DL this season include O’Kelly, Trowell, Luke Dockery, Gunner Young, and Dade Anderson.”

Strengths & Areas of Focus

Strengths: “I believe that this year’s greatest strength will be our skill guys,” says Bennett. “We have some guys that are really athletic and can run.”

Focusing On:  “The biggest focus heading into the season is getting the guys as much football and 7-on-7 experience as we can,” adds Bennett. “Although we have some athletic skill guys, many of them have little or no Friday night experience. The more we can compete and put our guys into football situations, the better. We are also focusing on shoring up the lines of scrimmage. We lost 3 offensive linemen and a couple of defensive linemen from last year. Finding replacements up front will continue to be a big focus for us as we prepare for the season.”

GAME-BY-GAME & SEASON PREDICTIONS FOR WHITE COUNTY