Warriors have the skill guys; O-Line, defense working to improve

CLEVELAND, Ga. — It wasn't exactly how Chad Bennett envisioned his first season as head coach in White County. 

The injury bug hit the Warriors after Game 2 last season, which led to a 4-6 season and a fifth-place finish in the Region 7-3A standings. 

"We did face some adversity often and early last season," Bennett said. "But I was really proud of our kids. A lot of kids had to step up, and some had to grow up really fast. We got a lot of sophomores some big-time Friday night experience. So, hopefully, with that happening last year, we're going to have a stronger program this year." 

With the 2022 season in the rearview mirror, the Warriors have been doing the work over the summer, and Bennett is very pleased with the progress.

"We've had an outstanding summer. I was really pleased with the guy's work. We identified some things after the spring game where we needed to get better. The guys have shown up every day, lifted hard, ran hard and practiced well, and you can see the improvements, so there is a lot of excitement as we get ready to kick off the 2023 season." 

Flowery Branch torched the Warriors during that spring game, so the defense has been front and center since that game. 

"That was one of the major areas of concern going to the offseason," he said. "Flowery Branch exposed us quite a bit. We gave up a lot of yardage and plays during the scrimmage, so I knew this summer that it was really important for us to throw a bunch and defend a bunch at 7-on-7. We've made a lot of strides on defense this summer." 
The linebacking corp could be the strength of the defense this year. Junior inside linebackers Jon Scott and Jason Rewis and outside linebackers Carson Smith (senior) and Alex Johnson (junior) are set to start.  

"I really like our defense," Bennett said. "With the experience our young guys got last year, I think our box has a chance to be good."

Upfront, junior Noah Williams returns for his third year as a starter to lead the defensive line at end. Sophomore Matt Turner will start at nose guard, and sophomore Dade Anderson will start at the other defensive end position. Also, seeing time upfront will be Jeremiah Jarrard at noseguard, Gunner Young at defensive end, Noel Lammers at defensive end, and JJ Deck will rotate in at noseguard or defensive end. 

In the secondary, Bryce and Cade Dockery are set to start at safety as well as Tripp Nix. At cornerback, Casen Duval and Isaiah Whitlow will start, with Von'dre Nelson also seeing time there.  

Over on the offensive side of the ball, the Warriors return the most experience. Tripp Nix, a two-year starter, returns to lead the offense at quarterback. 

Bennett said he's excited to see what his junior signal-caller will do on the field this fall. 

"He's had a good summer. I challenged him to get better in certain areas, and he responded really well. Anytime you have a chance to continue to work on your game and better understand the offense, I've seen that this summer. We're blessed that he's played 17 games as a starter, and coming into his junior season, it's kind of the breakout season. We're expecting big things from Tripp this year." 

Duvall, senior Cam Wilson, Nelson and Gaines Clark will be Nix's primary targets this season at wide receiver.

Senior running back Ryan Fowler, injured most of the 2022 season, returns healthy in 2023. 

"He's had a good offseason," Bennett said. "The whole thing for him is staying healthy. He can run by you, and he can run over you. He's had a good season as well." 

Bennett is optimistic about the offensive line despite having to replace JD Trowell, Trenton O'Kelly, and Matthew Gee. 

Seniors Jarrett Ellis and Landon Bulgin, juniors Christian Welch, Braden Ivestor and Tyler Seymour, and sophomores Tyler Autry and Austin Garrett will make up the line.

"Our biggest question mark was the offensive line," he said. "It has been a pleasant surprise watching this group improve. They may not be as talented, but they have a chip on their shoulder and want to be a great offensive line. I'm really pleased with their work ethic and physicality."

GRADUATION STINGS
The Warriors lost several key players to graduation, including WR Kane Lowery, OL/DL Trenton O'Kelly, OL/DL JD Trowell, WR/CB Elijah Nelson, WR Joseph Haynes, TE/LB Nate Bray, Sr. WR Colton Turner, OL Matthew Gee, DB Colton Turner, DL/LB Jeb Robinson, DL Devin Norton, LB Jacob Holbrook.

HIGH POWERED OFFENSE IN CLEVELAND?
The Warriors return starting quarterback Tripp Nix, who Bennett expects to have a big year. Add running back Ryan Fowler, who Bennett described as a Brahma bull; this offense has the weapons to put up numbers. However, it'll all depend on the protection up front. The Warriors lost three starters to graduation, but Bennett says that unit has made great strides over the summer. Regardless, Bennett's offense will be uptempo, no-huddle, forcing the opposing defense to defend the entire field. 

DEFENSE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS
The Warriors were exposed against Flowery Branch in the spring game in May. It was an eye-opener for Bennett and his staff. They identified areas of improvement and have been working on them all summer. Bennett expects his 3-4 defense to play gap-sound and disciplined that will run to the football and tackle well.

"That was one of the major areas of concern going into the offense," Bennett said. "We've made a lot of strides; our guys are understanding their coverages better, we're matching stuff better, so I think that's a plus. I think as the season goes on, we'll become good tacklers. I'm excited about the potential of our defense." 

THE SKILLED GUYS HAVE THE SKILLS
Anytime one of your strengths is returning skill players; you're ahead of the game. Bennett said the skill guys are the strength of them. 

"We have a lot of guys coming back that have played at the skill positions that can run really fast," he said. "At receiver and running back, just being able to have guys in space to create some matchups and show their speed is huge for us." 

BUT THERE ARE QUESTIONS
The biggest question is the offensive line. Losing three starters to graduation has the offensive line rebuilding. Depth also is a concern at a few other positions for Bennett.  

"Going into spring practice and summer, my biggest concern was the offensive line. I'm really proud of the lineman. They have been a pleasant surprise. We knew we had guys coming back that could run and a QB coming back that has played a lot of football, so the question mark was the offensive line. I think they'll continue to get better as the season goes on.

"Depth is also a concern at a few positions. We're thin in a couple of spots, which means we really need to stay healthy." 

A PLAYOFF CONTENDER
The Warriors open the season with archrival North Hall, followed by games against Habersham Central, Stephens County and Chestatee before opening region play at defending region champion Dawson County. 
The Warriors have the talent to push for a state playoff spot but will need to be clicking on all cylinders when region play arrives. 

"We have a non-region schedule that will allow us to really evaluate what is good and bad, which will allow us to fix or change it before we get to region play," Bennett said. "There are a lot of good football teams with a lot of parity in our region. We'll have to be peaking by the time we get to region."

WHAT'S TRENDING?
The Warriors return a lot of guys in skill positions, including junior quarterback Tripp Nix, who has 17 games under his belt as a starter, and senior running back Ryan Fowler. The offense's production, however, depends on the progression of the offensive line. Defensively, they have several guys back on that side of the ball, but shoring up the secondary will be the biggest key. If that all comes together by late September, the Warriors could compete for a home playoff spot.