CLEVELAND -- Not since 1983 have White County natives seen a group of seniors like the current crop in Cleveland.
That year, the Warriors' senior class completed a four-year run of 31 games won -- the most ever by a senior class at White County. Yet even that standout group's resume is missing one notable superlative: No state playoff wins.
The Warriors' 1975 seniors won 29 games, but again, no state playoff wins to their name.
Enter the 2010 seniors, the latest group to chase that elusive state playoff victory. The Warriors (8-2) will get their chance at history Friday night when they play host to LaGrange (5-5) in the first round of the Class AAA playoffs.
White County's seniors are also trying to stake a claim as the most successful class in school history -- putting together an impressive run of their own, with 28 wins as a class so far. Coach Tommy Flowers said if any group can break through the state barrier, it's this one.
"To me, this is the best team White County has ever had," Flowers said. "They missed out on the playoffs the last couple of years so I think they realize the opportunity they have now. They're hungry and have been working hard and staying focused. Even if we don't get the win I feel that way. If they can get the win I don't think there will be any question, even if they don't set the record for most wins."
For the current seniors, Friday's playoff game is the first since they were freshmen in 2007 -- the only other time a White County team has advanced to the state tournament. And while they may not feel the pressure of history, no Warriors team has even won a state playoff game in the program's 54-year history.
Do they think about the historic significance of what they can accomplish Friday night -- not just for themselves but for the community?
"This is a big deal for us," said senior wide receiver Ethan McCallister, who was on the field but did not play in a 20-13 overtime loss to Carver, Atlanta in 2007. "We've played together since we were little so we've talked about doing something no one else has done. It would mean a lot to us to get it done."
Fellow senior, linebacker Levi London, says the closeness of the group has been one of the team's best assets.
"I definitely think the fact we've been together so long has helped us get to where we are," London said. "It's been a lot of fun for all of us to have a great year. But it won't mean much if we can't get (a playoff win). We've talked about how moral victories don't mean much so we're working hard to make sure we can keep it going."
Flowers said this group was targeted for big things as far back as the eighth grade.
"When they came up in the spring of their eighth grade year we watched how they didn't back down to the older guys," Flowers said. "They gave it right back and battled hard every day. So, I'm not surprised at how good they've gotten. We felt this could be a special group, and they've lived up to our expectations."
As of now, they sit third in team history in wins as a class and a victory would tie them with the 1975 squad. To tie the 1983 group -- coached by Jerry Dorsey -- they would need a run to the semifinals. A trip to the Georgia Dome and the Class AAA finals would set them apart from any other White County team.
It won't come easy, however. LaGrange is one of the state's top postseason programs with 18 region championships and 11 state titles -- including three state crowns in four years, 2001-2004. But the Grangers five wins are the fewest in a season since going 2-8 in 1999.
Flowers said records don't matter, however.
"I don't know how they're just 5-5," he said. "They look like a dang good football team to me. They have some tremendous looking athletes and a lot of them. I'm not sure I see us as a favorite. Fortunately we're playing at home."
Flowers said the key again will be in not allowing big plays and controlling the ball when they have it.
"We saw last week (in a 21-7 loss to Gainesville for the Region 8-AAA title) what happens when we allow big plays," he said. "We have to control the ball and not make mistakes. (LaGrange) is too explosive to get into a scoring battle with. That would not be a good scenario for us."
London and McCallister both said one of the big motivators this week for the seniors is to hand the community its first taste of playoff victory.
"The community has been unbelievable in its support of us all year," London said. "That has meant a lot to us. We want to give them something no one else has done."
"I think it would mean a lot to the community, and if we could do that it would be an indescribable feeling," McCallister said. "I think I speak for all the seniors when I say that we are not here to play just one (playoff) game. We're looking to make history -- and hopefully we can do that."
LAGRANGE at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHAT: Class AAA football playoffs
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: 105.1 FM
-- LAGRANGE (5-5, No. 3 seed Region 6-AAA): Lost 34-27 to Troup last week.
-- WHITE (8-2, No. 2 seed Region 8-AAA): Lost 21-7 to Gainesville last week.
-- WINNER PLAYS: Gilmer at Grady winner in the second round
Friday
January 31st, 2025
5:54AM
