Davis, Wildcats try to keep momentum going after plethora of changes

TIGER, Ga. – It will certainly be weird not hearing or reading a Shaw listed atop the Rabun County football program when the 2022 campaign opens next week.

But that will be one of just a few changes for a Wildcats program that has the fourth-most wins in all of the Georgia High School Association (82) since 2015.

Michael Davis, Rabun County’s offensive coordinator in 2021, has taken the helm of the program after nearly a decade being led by first Lee Shaw and then his son, Jaybo.

The Shaws led the Wildcats to the program’s most prolific period, snagging 105 wins, eight region championships, seven consecutive quarterfinal appearances, and one state championship game appearance (2017). Among Northeast Georgia-area teams, only Buford (130) and Jefferson (109) have more wins during that span.

“(Lee and Jaybo) built this program into one of the state’s best and have put in facilities and a winning attitude among the kids in the program that you won’t find in many other places,” Davis said. “The biggest difference is that as the head coach, there are so many little things you have to deal with that I probably took for granted as an assistant coach over the years. I’ve probably sent more emails in the last five or six months than I did in the last 15 years.

“But I love being with these kids, and I’m just going to try to keep things rolling here. I’m very excited about where we are right now.”

Davis and his staff will have some challenges for sure as the Wildcats move on from the Gunnar Stockton era. Stockton is now in Athens, and they have just one returning starter (senior Cesar Cruz) along an offensive line that had played together for three seasons.

But despite those key losses, Wildcats fans should not expect much of a drop-off from an offense that averaged 48.6 points/game in 2021. West Forsyth transfer quarterback Keegan Stover, a senior, had a breakout season for the Wolverines in Class 7A. Stover completed just under 60 percent of his passes for 2,409 yards with 25 TDs and just 3INTs in 2021.

Stover will still have plenty of targets as well. Senior wide receiver Jaden Gibson is back after a breakout season of his own with 86 catches for 1,878 yards and 19 TD. Senior running back Lang Windham (44 catches, 664 yards, 9 TD; 87 rushes, 812 yards, 13 TD) also returns. 

Look for senior Corey Keller and West Hall transfer Noah Legault (senior) to add depth to a solid receiving corp. Keller, an All-Access First Team selection on defense, was dynamic in limited action on offense in 2021. Kellar had 6 catches for 175 yards (29.2 average) and 2 TD.

“Skill-wise, this team already is one of the most talented groups as a whole I’ve ever been around anywhere,” Davis said. “You can’t expect to replace a guy like Gunnar, but Keegan has a great arm and is big and can run and we have a lot of speed on the outside. Lang had nearly 1,500 all-purpose yards last year, so we expect to still be able to put a lot of pressure on any defense.”

Of course, the offensive line will be an early work-in-progress as they try to replace four guys, including Bear Old (Montana State-signee), Will McCraw (Gardner-Webb-signee), and tight end Baxley O'Brien.

Senior Braxton Brady has moved over to center to go with Cruz, fellow seniors Emilliano Ortiz and Edgar Ortiz (no relation), senior Jet Galbreath, junior Jack Hood, and sophomore Alex Yearwood give them some depth to work with.

“I think this group has a lot of talent and can be very good,” Davis said. “They just need game experience on Friday nights working together.”

Defensively is where most of the changes, however, will come. The entire coaching staff, mainly due to already-planned retirements, has been turned over with Ricky Ross, a former Calhoun defensive coordinator, taking control of the unit. He is joined by former Gainesville DC and Fannin County head coach Jim Pavao and former Jefferson coach Tim Corbett.

“That’s a staff with a lot of experience, and we were very fortunate to be able to get all those guys to come here at the same time,” Davis said. “And they have a lot of talent to work with. I’m excited to see what they bring every day.”

Keller, juniors Willie Goodwyn and Jarret Giles, and Legault should anchor one of the best secondaries in the area. The pair of Ortiz’s and Cruz should be a formidable group up front.

One key change that makes the Wildcats an instant state title contender is their move down the Class A, Division I. They will be in a region with former Region 8-2A foe Elbert County along with perennial playoff stalwart Commerce and Athens Christian.

The schedule starts tough and stays tough throughout. All 10 of their opponents made the playoffs in 2021, ranging from Class A Private up to Class 3A. Three made the quarterfinals or better.

“The bar has been set very high here, and our ultimate goal is to win a state title,” Davis said. “We have a very challenging schedule, which we wanted so that we can prepare ourselves for the playoffs and help us win another region title. The Stephens County game (Week 2) should be a fun one, and of course, we finish with Commerce, and hopefully, that will be a game for the region title.”

Davis knows he and his staff will have some scrutiny to keep the Wildcats in the state title conversation while putting a new stamp on the program. But he also said he’s not going to complicate things.

“If something ain’t broken, you don’t need to try and fix it. There ain’t nothing broken here at all. We’re not going to try and fix anything that doesn’t need it,” he stated.

“We’re just excited about getting the season going and seeing how good these guys can get. Very, very excited overall.”