The Wildcats might have a ton of offense to replace (Reid Giles, Ty Truelove, Lake Evans), but some young players are ready for their chance to shine, and some veteran players are ready to maintain the high expectations for the program.

Head Coach: Rance Gillespie (2nd Season)
2025 Record: 10-3; Region RU; State Quarterfinals

The team states the expectations clearly: “Win the first, win the Region, win the last.”

2026 SCHEDULE – RABUN COUNTY

PERSONNEL & SCHEMES

Key Departures: Reid Giles, Ty Truelove, Lake Evans, Noah English, Ethan Hopper, Zach Gordon, TJ Hilber

Returning Starters: 7 on offense; 7 on defense

Key Returning Players: JK Fruster, Reed Burrell, Mack Williams, Brock Brady, Ryan Yearwood, Reed Lafevers, Hayden Cannon, Bryan Avila, Colter Cannon

Up & Coming Players: Cooper Kowalsky, Amir Thompson, Wyatt English, Simon Robinson (transfer from NC), Teyo Hibler, Akai Agyapon (transfer from NC – cannot play this fall), Garrett Gosse, Ashton Justus

Offense: Multiple
Cooper Kowalsky gets to start his time as QB1 for the Cats, and did well in the spring game. As he grows over the next few years, he’ll likely run more. Don’t expect too much running the ball for him this year as a sophomore. He’ll have Amir Thompson and JK Fruster in the backfield, and WR will feature Reed Burrell, Reed Lafevers, Colter Cannon, and Tanner Brown.

Defense: Multiple
The defense will go as Mack Williams, Brock Brady, and Ryan Yearwood go. JK Fruster and Wyatt English will also be leaders on that side of the ball, and Colter Cannon and Reed Burrell will be key in the secondary.

Trenches: Some experience coming back and a lot of new and young guys stepping up. On the DL, it’s Ryan Yearwood and Mack Williams that will be beastly. Simon Robinson will be a force on both sides as well. The OL will need to gel quickly to protect SO QB Cooper Kowalsky. Garrett Gosse is a big freshman who could play a key role for several years.

STRENGTHS & AREAS OF FOCUS

Strengths: The defense right now looks like the strength of this team, as they return over half of the playmakers on that side.

Focusing On: Replacing the production of Reid Giles, Ty Truelove, and Lake Evans. That was most of the offense for Rabun, so it’s a real area they’ve had to explore in replacing.

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