JEFFERSON — With four playoff appearances over the past seven seasons after none in its history, Jackson County appears to be getting serious about snagging that first-ever, and elusive, postseason win and becoming a force in northeast Georgia.
The biggest offseason addition the Panthers made following a 3-7 campaign in 2018 was bringing in a living legend to guide the program. Former Charlton County coach Rich McWhorter, owner of 15 region titles and four state championships in 29 seasons in Folkston, and currently 14th on the all-time wins list in Georgia (288-79) is now running the show just off Highway 129. He is second among active coaches, behind only Alan Chadwick of Marist (375 wins).
How were the Panthers able to land such a high-profile coach?
“Well, after basically 30 years at one place I just felt like it was time for a new challenge,” McWhorter said during the opening week of fall practice. “My youngest daughter is starting at (University of) North Georgia and we wanted to be closer to her and the job here opened up. This is a great area and it seems like a great fit for my family and hopefully Jackson County.
“The last couple of coaches [Benji Harrison and Brandon Worley] did a great job of bringing the program forward. We’re going to work hard to try and make it even more successful.”
“New challenge” may be the key phrase for McWhorter, who inherits a young and inexperienced roster. Only nine seniors and less than a handful of starters return from the 2018 squad. However, there is talent to work with.
McWhorter and his staff said every starting position is up for grabs as they approach their Aug. 23 opener at home against Banks County. On offense, a four-way battle at quarterback between juniors Jake Stinchomb and Jesse Whiting and sophomores Connor Bejin and Isaiah Maxey will dominate the fall. The key area though will be upfront where there are no seniors.
Juniors Tyler Vaughn and Cody Baugh lead a group that has 12 freshmen and sophomores listed on the depth chart. New line coach Jake Boldin came over from Buford and is a former Charlton County player under McWhorter.
“It’s a young group overall but Jake is a great addition for us and we think there is a lot of talent to work with,” McWhorter said. “It may take some time for them to jell but we like what we see.”
As with the offense, virtually every position on the defensive side is “up for grabs,” according to McWhorter. However, the defensive line behind senior Brandon Fisher and junior Andrew King could be the strength of the team. Senior Tyler Wester will lead what also could be a solid linebacking group by season’s end.
The questions and answers for the Panthers fortunes will be the same again in 2019. Can they compete in a tough Region 8-3A?
“Well, I am from a region where the top three teams -- Charlton, Irwin County, Clinch County -- seemed to play each other for the (Class A-Public) state title every year. As coaches, we know what it takes to get to that level and what we’re going to do is work on instilling a mindset that we expect to win. We’re already starting to see some of that.
“I feel good about where we are right now. Really looking forward to getting going.”
JACKSON COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Panthers
- TEAM COLORS: Black, Red and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-3A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Rich McWhorter, first season (288-79 in 29 seasons at Charlton County, 4 state titles)
- 2018 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 3-7
- KEY LOSSES: OL Jonathan Fountain, WR/LB Rayshun Dorsey, LB Elijah Pierce, LB Nate Vincent
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- McWhorter likes to use his offense to be opportunistic to take what defenses give.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: With a new coaching staff and new system McWhorter and staff said every starting position is up for grabs during summer and fall practice -- Sr. WR Tyler Wester, Jr. OL Tyler Vaughn, Jr. QB Jake Stinchomb, Jr. QB Jesse Whiting, Jr. C Cody Baugh, Jr. WR Bo Reeves, Sr. WR Gabriel Lockridge, Sr. RB Rodney Booker, Jr. WR Ayden Griswold, So. QB Connor Bejin, So. QB Isaiah Maxey
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: Multiple -- The Panthers will employ a variety of looks as they try to keep offenses off-balance.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: The same as with the offense, McWhorter and staff said every virtually every starting position is up for grabs during summer and fall practice -- Jr. DL Andrew King, Sr. DL Brandon Fisher, Sr. LB Tyler Wester
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK Ayden Griswold, Jr. LS Colton Boone, Sr. KR Tyler Wester
- STRENGTH: DL -- King and Fisher will anchor what should be a solid unit in the trenches to help open lanes for Wester and what could be a good group of LBs by season's end.
- QUESTION: Inexperienced OL/depth -- The line is young and will need to learn on the job. But there is talent there and McWhorter felt it could be a solid group if it stays healthy and gets the necessary experience.
- KEY GAMES: The Panthers have a chance for some early wins but also face a pair of teams expected to make the playoffs in North Hall and Apalachee on the road in non-region action. They then open Region 8-3A against Hart County, a team they have beaten just once (1-15) in their history. If they can find some early confidence, three consecutive home games in October against Morgan County, Monroe Area, and Franklin County could give them a chance to make some noise. However, they also finish out the season with back-to-back road games against rivals Jefferson and East Jackson.
- TRENDING: The addition of one of Georgia's all-time winningest coaches (14th on the list) in McWhorter should be enough to push the trend on an upward incline. But the Panthers still have yet to turn the ultimate corner despite moderate success over the past few seasons (4 state playoffs since 2012 after none in their history). They have the nucleus perhaps, with a proven winner like McWhorter at the helm, to take a step closer to contending for region titles. It will be interesting to see what McWhorter and his staff can accomplish with a program that has never won a region title and never won a playoff game in its history.
2019 SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 vs. Banks County
Aug. 30 at North Hall
Sept. 6 vs. Lumpkin County
Sept. 13 at Apalachee
Sept. 27 at Hart County*
Oct. 4 vs. Morgan County*
Oct. 11 vs. Monroe Area*
Oct. 25 vs. Franklin County*
Nov. 1 at Jefferson*
Nov. 8 at East Jackson*
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
