CLEVELAND — Make no mistake, White County is a young team. But that doesn't mean the Warriors are changing anything -- including their goals.
"We set a goal to make the playoffs again; we set that goal every year," White County coach Bill Ballard said.
Under Ballard it's very nearly become part and parcel of the program. The Warriors reached the postseason for a record third straight season in 2014 -- their fourth campaign under the current regime. So it's no wonder that -- even with just seven players returning with true starting experience -- White County is aiming to maintain that streak.
The Warriors will have leadership in key positions, including the offensive line and defensive secondary -- groups full of experienced veterans. A number of first-year starters will also get their chances in positions such as quarterback, running back and linebacker. Meanwhile, a large and talented sophomore class will fill in a number of the gaps in between, both as starters and back-ups.
"We're building around that class," Ballard said of the sophomores. "Many mountain schools go through cycles of big classes.
"We've got a bunch of great kids that play hard for each other, but we're going to have to keep improving as the season goes. I think we have the talent to do that; we just have to learn each time we're tested."
WHITE COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Warriors
- TEAM COLORS: Navy, White and Vegas Gold
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AAAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Bill Ballard, fifth season, 25-19
- 2014 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 6-5, first round Class AAAA playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: QB A.J. Vandiver, RB/DB Maurice Sutton, RB/LB Sam Turner, RB/LB Max Taylor, TE Tucker Cook, OL Sean Freeman, DL Andrew Posten, DL Sean Freeman
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Triple option -- The basics of White County’s attack stay the same: pound the ball on the ground and then hit for big plays through the air and even with new faces manning a lot of the skill positions, don't expect any changes in approach.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 4 returning starters -- Sr. OL Parker Dorsey, Sr. TE Crawford Abernathy, Sr. OL James Young, Sr. QB Dane Quinn, Jr. RB Ky Crowe, Sr. RB Clancy Loudermilk
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 50 -- The Warriors will look to stuff the run first and will be led by the players in the trenches in 2015.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 4 returning starters -- Sr. DE Crawford Abernathy, Sr. Saf Adam Johnson, Sr. DT Crawford Abernathy, Sr. DT James Young
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. PK/P Bradley Hurst, Sr. KR Clancy Loudermilk, Sr. KR Adam Johnson
- STRENGTH: Offensive line/defensive secondary -- The veterans of the team fill these positions and coaches expect these groups to lead the way from the start.
- QUESTION: Youth -- With just seven total players back with real starting experience, the Warriors will have to grow up on the job. Yet coaches believe they are capable of doing just that, especially with a sizable and talented sophomore class.
- KEY GAMES: Each of the first three games are important for a young team in need of game experience. The Region 8-AAAA opener against Buford should also provide the biggest test of the campaign. Thee of the first four 8-AAAA contests for White County come against playoff teams from a season ago.
- TRENDING: White County has become the very definition of consistency under Ballard's watch, as the Warriors have reached the state playoffs for a program record three straight seasons. Can White County make it four in a row? To do so, the Warriors will have to keep improving each week -- and Ballard believes his team has the ability to do just that.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 at Pickens
Sept. 4 vs. Jackson County
Sept. 11 at Pace Academy
Sept. 18 vs. *Buford
Oct. 2 at *Madison County
Oct. 9 vs. *Stephens County
Oct. 16 at *North Oconee
Oct. 23 at *Chestatee
Oct. 30 vs. *Monroe Area
Nov. 6 vs. *North Hall
* - indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
