CLEVELAND — Tim Cokely knew his players would display fight and heart last season. And those elements, combined with a stud running back, an unearthed gem of a quarterback, and an opportunistic defense helped Cokely enjoy an impressive first campaign in Cleveland.
In 2018, Cokely and his staff want to add some finer touches to the Warriors -- facets that, combined with the grit, will help White County to continue its upward trend, a likely necessity in a newly-shaped Region 7-4A that boasts the reigning Class 4A champ (Blessed Trinity) and runner-up (Marist), as well as a Class 5A Sweet 16 team from 2017 (Flowery Branch).
They are also touches that could help to make up for the graduation of running back Kaleb Crane, who pulverized so many opposing defenses in 2017, rushing for almost 1,500 yards.
"Scheme-wise we'll be similar, and we'll be focusing on taking care of the ball and being physical," Cokely said. "But this offseason coach Chad Bennet has worked the guys hard on technique and fundamentals, and I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out."
Now a sophomore, quarterback J Ben Haynes will be looked to for more leadership after a breakout freshman season and will have three returning starters at wide receiver. Meanwhile, a number of backs will split the carries reserved for the dominant Crane.
On defense, defensive end Jay Lepkoske (Georgia State commit) and linebacker Mike Mintz will provide both plays and leadership.
WHITE COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Warriors
- TEAM COLORS: Navy, White and Vegas Gold
- CURRENT REGION: 7-4A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Tim Cokely, second season, 7-4
- 2017 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 7-4, reached first round Class 4A playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: RB/LB Kaleb Crane, OL Jon Burkett, WR/DB Austin Rowland, WR/DB Mason Palmer, PK/P Brett Bardenwerper, CB/WR Ty Ulrich
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- The Warriors' new attack was a revelation last year on the strength of Crane's legs and the surging talents of QB J Ben Haynes, now a sophomore. Expect some more balance this season both in the carries out of the backfield (mulitple backs carrying 10-12 times apiece) and the amount of throws Haynes makes.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Sr. WR Cody VerSluis, So. QB J. Ben Haynes, Sr. RB Mike Mintz, Sr. OL Noah Hoersten
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4 -- White County will move around and be mulitple on defense in order to combat the wide array of offenses it will face. But it will always have someone lined up on the opposing center. Chris Dodson takes over as defensive coordinator this season.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. DE Jay Lepkoske (Georgia State commit), Sr. DL DeeJay Fleming, Sr. LB Mike Mintz, Sr. DB Kurtis Havlen, Sr. DL Noah Hoersten
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. PK/P Grayson Clark/Sr. PK Colin Wiles
- STRENGTH: Playmaking ability on perimeter -- With both experience and skill at the wide receiver position and a now veteran quarterback at the helm the Warriors should be able to throw and catch the ball to strong effect. Certainly Crane will be missed, but White County feels it can spread the ball around and get the same production. The same goes for the defense, which features two absolute disruptors in Lepkoske and Fleming.
- QUESTION: Special teams -- Bardenwerper will be a tough act to follow, and the Warriors are trying to get their new kickers in a rhythm.
- KEY GAMES: White County's non-region slate is being looked at a little differently this season. The Warriors wanted desperately to establish traction in last season's non-region and did so, going 5-1. This season, however, White County is prepping so that they hit their stride during the newly-shaped 7-4A slate. And certainly the region schedule opens with a bang, as the Warriors play host to Class 4A runner-up Marist (Sept. 21) before playing host to a Class 5A Sweet 16 team from a season ago in Flowery Branch (now down in 4A) the very next Friday. The next three weeks (Oct. 12-26) will also do much to determine the Warriors' fate, as they travel to West Hall and brand new program Denmark before returning home for a showdown with Chestatee. After reaching the state playoffs last season, White County will not want to leave its playoff fate on the line for the regular season finale against reigning Class 4A champ Blessed Trinity (Nov. 2).
- TRENDING: The Warriors arrested a two-season skid in impressive fashion in 2017, almost doubling their win total from 2015-16 as new coach Tim Cokely made an immediate impact. Now the bar has been set, and White County believes it can maintain its position as a playoff team -- despite a newly-shaped region that added an already stout program in Flowery Branch and a rookie school most expect to play like anything but newbies in Forsyth County's Denmark. "These players have a lot of confidence after last season, and we're coaching toward playing our best by the region season," Cokely said.
2018 SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 at Lumpkin County
Aug. 31 vs. Habersham Central
Sept. 7 at Pickens
Sept. 14 vs. North Hall
Sept. 21 vs. Marist*
Sept. 28 vs. Flowery Branch*
Oct. 12 at West Hall*
Oct. 19 at Denmark*
Oct. 26 vs. Chestatee*
Nov. 2 at Blessed Trinity*
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
