Sought-after experience may hold the key for Warriors

CLEVELAND, Ga. – From a new coaching staff to players coming and going, experience was almost a trigger word for White County heading into the spring and summer.

But first-time head coach Chad Bennett, an assistant for the Warriors for four seasons (2017-20), said almost all of the offseason uncertainty has been negated by "one of the best summers" he's experienced as a coach.

"This is my first head coaching job, but I think since I'm at a place where they knew me, and I knew most of the kids from before, the transition has been very smooth," Bennett said just a week before their home-opener against rival North Hall. "We have been very pleased with how the summer has gone. The kids have bought into what we're doing, and I think the group as a whole is gaining confidence every day."

Which is a good sign because how quickly they all become comfortable in their new roles may decide their fates in what is expected to be a wide-open Region 7-3A.

The return of Bennett, who was a popular choice among Warriors fans and players, has already paid dividends. Nearly 100 showed up for summer workouts (94 to be exact) and Bennett expects to have a roster in the 80s by the start of the season. That’s nearly double the roster from 2021.

“We’ve had some guys that didn’t play last year come back out, but really we’ve had a lot of interest from the younger groups,” Bennett said. “It’s been exciting to see the turnout by the kids in the community.”

Bennett, who was the offensive coordinator for the Warriors in his previous stint before leaving to take the same job in 2021 for Gainesville, isn't the only major change on the coaching staff.

Logan Head, who was a Warriors defensive assistant the last four seasons, moves up to become the new defensive coordinator. Head will have a challenge as only four players return with any real varsity experience.

“Logan has mentored under some really good coaches here. He’s a really smart, young coach. We felt it was just time to give him a shot. We’re excited to see what he brings,” Bennett said.

Both the offense and defense will need to improve to have any chance at another playoff berth. The Warriors averaged just 23.2 points/game in 2021, their lowest output since 2018. The defense gave up 30.9 ppg in 2021, the most allowed since 2018 as well.

The offense will have six returning starters but also will be breaking in several young, key players.

“We have a lot of potential here,” Bennett said. “We have a very deep receiving group and two quarterbacks we think have a chance to be pretty good. The defense has talent, but we need to put the right guys in the right spots.

“The main thing is they just need that experience on a Friday night in front of a crowd. Once they get past that first game, I think we have a chance to be very good.”

Sophomore quarterback Tripp Nix, who started seven games last season, will be the early starter but Bennett said freshman Braxton Anderson will see some action as well.

"Tripp will be the starter. He has earned that," Bennett said. "But both he and Braxton have made tremendous progress (over the summer). I would like to get Braxton into some games to give him that needed experience on Friday nights because you never know what can happen during a season with injuries and other things. We feel comfortable with both of them, and both have a chance to be really good if they continue to work hard and progress."

The receiving corp may be the Warriors' deepest unit with seniors Kane Lowery, Joseph Haynes, and Colton Turner, juniors Elijah Nelson, Caysen Duvall, Von’dre Nelson, and Cam Wilson, and sophomore Brayden Roach, along with senior tight end Nate Bray.  Nix and Anderson should also get some help from running backs Ryan Fowler (a junior) and sophomore Noah Williams. 

“We have a tremendously talented receiving group, so we have a lot of options. Fowler is smaller and quicker, and Williams is a bruising guy that can give us a power running option,” Bennett said.

Of course, most offenses go the way of their offensive line. That will be no different for the Warriors. Only seniors Trenton O'Kelly and All-Access first teamer JD Trowell return up front. Juniors Jarrett Ellis and Landon Bulgin and sophomore Tyler Autry should fill out the starting group.

However, that “experience” word came up again with Bennett.

“The line should be good as the season goes along, but some of the guys need that experience on Fridays,” he said. “I’m an offensive line guy. I know we have to be solid up front to have any chance. They will be the key to our success. But I really think it could be a very solid group by the end of the season.”

The defense will be the bigger project initially. The Warriors lost five key starters to a squad that was 4-1 when giving up 21 or less. However, they were just 1-6 when allowing more than 21, including 100 points over their final two games to ranked teams Cherokee Bluff and Cedar Grove.

It was the same assessment by Bennett for the defense.

“Defense wins championships. Getting those pieces together to have a consistent unit will be our main priority through the summer and fall,” he said.

The only returning starters are a pair of linebackers in senior Jacob Holbrook and sophomore Noah Williams. Senior Jeb Robinson anchors the line while senior Colton Turner is the lone returnee in the secondary.

Trowell, O'Kelly, and senior Devin Norton will give Robinson help up front. Depth at linebacker with Bray, Holbrook, juniors Fowler and Carson Smith, and sophomores Cade Dockery and Bryce Dockery should give Head plenty of options to work with. But the secondary -- senior Elijah Nelson and juniors Caysen Duvall, Von’dre Nelson, and Cam Wilson -- will be inexperienced overall.

“We have the guys to have a really solid defense. They’re on the roster,” Bennett said. “Finding the right combinations will be crucial. They just need that experience out on the field on Fridays.”

Bennett loves the early non-region schedule, which has them playing two very tough road games at Habersham Central and Stephens County and is excited about opening Region 7-3A play against perennial playoff team Dawson County.

“Opening with a big rivalry game like North Hall will be good for the guys to have that challenge right from the beginning,” he said. “And I’m glad we’re playing Dawson County early because they always seem to get better and better as the season goes on. Catching them early on is big. Hopefully, we’ll be ready and have everyone in place by then.”