TIGER — Coaching changes, no matter the sport or team, usually bring with them a certain amount of uncertainty.
In just seven shorter-than-expected seasons, Lee Shaw built Rabun County into one of the state’s Class 2A powerhouses with five consecutive Region 8-2A titles, three quarterfinals appearances, one semifinal, and a berth in the 2017 state championship game.
So when Shaw stepped down after the 2018 season -- to help ensure the Wildcats would not experience as many of those uncertainties as most programs do -- the program was handed off to his son, Jaybo Shaw, the Wildcats’ offensive coordinator for the past four seasons. Jaybo was the genius behind an ultra-powerful offense that led all of Class 2A the past two seasons in offense and scoring.
And to help the younger Shaw and his staff make the transition as seamless as possible will be an experienced group on the field, led by super-sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton, who already has garnered more than his share of Power 5 offers, including from Georgia Tech and Georgia. Stockton, after helping guide Rabun County to the quarterfinals in 2018 in his first season under center, eventually led Class 2A in total offense with 2,917 yards and 34 touchdown passes and just 6 interceptions. He also added another 709 yards and 17 touchdowns rushing.
“Gunner is bigger and stronger and I know he is going to be better,” Shaw said. “He is a special talent and we probably have the deepest receiver group we’ve had here, at least since I’ve been here, so he will have some great weapons around him.”
Senior receivers Braxton Hicks, Dawson Lathan, and Sam Adams, who combined for 1,455 yards and 20 TDs in 2018, all could have breakout seasons.
“Braxton is getting some D-I looks (Army and Air Force) and Dawson and Sam have really improved since last year. I feel like the offense will be even better than last year. It could one of our best overall offenses in my time but we’ll have to stay healthy, of course.”
Defensively, Rabun County will be led by a solid linebacking group that returns its entire starting unit from 2018 in seniors A.J. Wheeler, Trent Miller, Mason Sprinkle, and junior Phillip Roberson. The secondary will be anchored by seniors Hicks and Lathan, who both return at the two cornerback spots.
The only question marks will be up front, where the Wildcats graduated several key guys on both sides of the ball. Senior Will Hightower and sophomore Nolan Crane are the only returning starters and finding some cohesion and depth may ultimately decide how far they can go in 2019.
“I like our defense, especially with our corners and all our linebackers coming back,” Shaw said. “The lines are always a key area no matter what level you’re at so that will be a big focus for us (in the fall).”
Despite the coaching changes and holes to fill in the roster, the expectations the Shaws and their staffs have built will not change in 2019: the quest for titles.
“Our goals are always the same every year: to win the region and state titles. If not, then what are you playing for,” Shaw said. “We’re embracing those expectations. The changes we’re going through won’t affect that.
“At the core, there are still a lot of the same things that have made Rabun County one of the top (Class) 2A teams in the state. Even when my dad was the coach we were always adding new things to make the program better. None of that will change. If we think something will make us better, we’ll look at it.”
RABUN COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Wildcats
- TEAM COLORS: Red and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-2A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Jaybo Shaw, first season
- 2018 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 11-2, Class 2A quarterfinals, Region 8-2A champion
- KEY LOSSES: WR/FS Austin Jones, OL Shawn Lovell, RB Brison Beck, OL/DL Jackson Webb, DL Austin Sosebee, DL Andrew Lovell, LB Zach Ferguson, CB Hunter Dills
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread option -- The Wildcats' high-powered attack maybe even more potent with a bigger and faster Stockton at the helm with the goal still the same: get the ball to their playmakers in space and make defenses cover the whole field. WRs Braxton Hicks, Dawson Lathan, and Sam Adams should all have breakout seasons.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- So. QB Gunner Stockton, Sr. WR Braxton Hicks, Sr. WR Dawson Lathan, Sr. OL Will Hightower, So. OL Nolan Crane, Jr. RB Brody Jarrard
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-3 stack -- Rabun County returns the majority of its defense, which is still young and talented. The Wildcats always try to utilize their athleticism and speed, shifting and attacking while looking to force mistakes from opposing offenses. Expect more of the same in 2019.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. CB Braxton Hicks, Sr. CB Dawson Lathan, Sr. LB A.J. Wheeler, Sr. LB Trent Miller, Sr. LB Mason Sprinkle, Jr. LB Phillip Roberson, Jr. LB Brody Jarrard, Jr. LB Hoff Windham
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. PK Edwin Diaz, So. P Gunner Stockton
- STRENGTH: QB/WR/LB/Secondary -- The skilled spots on the offense are loaded with Stockton at the helm and what Shaw said is the deepest receiving corp since he's been there. The entire LB group returns as does both CBs on a defense that should be even better in 2019.
- QUESTION: OL/DL -- The Wildcats graduated several key guys up front on both sides of the ball. How quickly they put together a cohesive unit, especially on offense, could be the final piece to what they hope can be another deep, deep playoff run.
- KEY GAMES: Rabun opens against fellow Class 2A playoff stalwart Bremen in the Erk Russell Classic in Statesboro once again and should tell the Wildcats a lot about where they are right out of the gate. They also have an early road test at Class 4A Stephens County. Rabun opens its Region 8-2A schedule at home against Putnam County, but the key to a sixth straight region title will most likely be determined with two huge road games at Elbert County (Oct. 18) and the season finale in Blairsville against arch-rival Union County (Nov. 8).
- TRENDING: Experience will not be an issue in 2019 as the Wildcats return an even-more seasoned Stockton, who already has garnered more than his share of Power 5 offers, including from Georgia Tech and Georgia. Coach Jaybo Shaw, who takes over for his father Lee Shaw, expects no real changes in how the program operates and approaches its goals: "to win titles," he said. They will feature perhaps their most talented receiving corp ever, which is saying a lot and should score in bunches again to go with what should be an improved and more physical defense. Shaw and crew said they are expecting nothing less than to make another run at a region championship and hopefully a run to Georgia State Stadium.
2019 SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 vs. Bremen (at Ga. Southern), 6 p.m.
Aug. 30 vs. North Murray
Sept. 13 at Stephens County
Sept. 20 vs. Putnam County*
Sept. 27 at Monticello*
Oct. 4 vs. Banks County*
Oct. 18 at Elbert County*
Oct. 25 vs. Social Circle*
Nov. 1 at Oglethorpe County*
Nov. 8 at Union County*
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
