TIGER — "Life after Charlie" may sound more like a book or movie title, but it is very much reality this season for Rabun County football. And plenty of football fans -- both north and south of Tallulah Gorge -- are anticpating the Wildcats' reaction after graduating the most successful senior class in program history.
It was a class that included perhaps the best player to ever don the red and white in do-everything all-star Charlie Woerner, now taking reps at tight end for the University of Georgia.
The good news for Rabun County, however, is that there is still plenty of talent on hand -- and it is talent more than used to winning, as the program set a record for victories the last four seasons with 34.
"Charlie was one of those guys you just don't replace -- and it was not just the Charlie Woerner show; those 34 wins show that we had plenty of guys making big contributions," Rabun County coach Lee Shaw said. "But those guys also helped train a lot of these younger guys, and, hopefully, they're just passing the torch."
The flame of victory should be in very good hands in quarterback Bailey Fisher. The now-junior bloomed into a bona fide star in his own right last season, piling up 46 total touchdowns at the helm of the Wildcats' spread attack. And Fisher can rest comfortable in the knowledge that his offensive line features four seniors and returns three starters -- including a dominating Peyton Backer.
In fact the line of scrimmage should be a strength on both sides of the ball. Rabun is looking for leaders to emerge in the secondary, however, and while Fisher can sling the ball around, he will be doing so to several new starters at receiver.
There are other questions, including the schedule, which features a tough slog in Region 8-AA -- perennial power Elbert County has dropped down from Class AAA, while road-weary trips to Putnam County and Monticello also await.
"It's an exciting challenge," Shaw said. "We've had some really good practices, but we've got to figure out how to handle it on Friday night now."
RABUN COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Wildcats
- TEAM COLORS: Red and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Lee Shaw, fifth season, 34-13
- 2015 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 11-2, Class AA quarterfinalist, Region 8-AA champion
- KEY LOSSES: ATH/Saf Charlier Woerner, Sr. RB Eli Gipson, Sr. WR Alden Wright, Sr. WR/DB Jack Johnson, Sr. WR/LB Tyler Harris, LB Rhodes Jones
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread option -- the Wildcats will look to spread out defenses and take advantage of the resulting space via the run and pass. And while Woerner may be gone, they still have an outstanding quarterback at the controls.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Jr. QB Bailey Fisher (2,936 yards passing, 753 yards rushing, 46 total TDs in 2015), Sr. OL Peyton Backer, Sr. RB Cal Drummond, Sr. WR Noah Cannon, four more senior offensive linemen
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-3 stack -- Rabun County will look to wreck havoc with its defensive front, allowing its linebackers to clean up and make tackles.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Sr. DL Jack Blackstock, Sr. NG Hawk Davis, Sr. DE Miguel Ortiz, Sr. LB Sam Butkofer, Jr. ILB Dawson Henricks, Jr. LB Cole Keener
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. P Noah Cannon (Second team All-State in 2015), Jr. PK Andrew Barnes, kick return duties undecided as of publication time
- STRENGTH: Quarterback/Line of scrimmage -- That is a combination that could prove successful indeed, as a veteran line that includes three returning starters paves the way for a stellar quarterback that can run and throw with equal effectiveness. Meanwhile, the defensive line will also anchor the Wildcats.
- QUESTION: Secondary/tough schedule -- Rabun County has some talent in the defensive backfield but it is stepping into starting roles for the first time. And a re-shaped Region 8-AA that includes brutal road trips to Putnam County and Monticello will not make things easy for the two-time defending 8-AA champs.
- KEY GAMES: The opener at Mt. Pisgah could prove inciteful for the Wildcats, as they travel to face a playoff team from a year ago. In fact three of Rabun's non-region foes were postseason squads in 2015. The Wildcats will renew an old rivalry with Banks County (Rabun owns a 16-10 lead in the series but hasn't defeated the Leopards since 2006) in the region opener on Sept. 30. A tough region contest comes at Putnam County, which went 7-4 last season, reaching the first round, on Oct. 7. Yet perhaps the toughest contest of the campaign lies in wait on Oct. 21, when the Wildcats travel to the Granite Bowl against an Elbert County team that reached the Class AAA quarterfinals in 2015. True, quarterback Mecole Hardman has graduated, but the Blue Devils will have plenty of talent waiting to step in to the breach.
- TRENDING: There is no doubt that Rabun County is coming off its best four-year stretch in program history -- in fact the just-graduated senior class left school with a record 34 wins. The big question is can the Wildcats keep that mometum going despite the loss of all-timers like Woerner? Certainly the pieces are in place for success, but coaches and players are anxious to get on the field and prove it in a live game.
2016 SCHEUDLE
Aug. 26 at Mt. Pisgah Christian
Sept. 2 vs. Stephens County
Sept. 9 vs. White County
Sept. 23 at West Hall
Sept. 30 vs. *Banks County
Oct. 7 at *Putnam County
Oct. 14 vs. *Social Circle
Oct. 21 at *Elbert County
Oct. 28 vs. *Oglethorpe County
Nov. 4 at *Monticello
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/8/424508/2016-football-preview-rabun-county