TIGER — Few programs in northeast Georgia will have a bigger hole to fill than Rabun County football, which graduated all-everything quarterback Bailey Fisher.
Fisher, who coach Lee Shaw called perhaps the greatest player to date in program history, set virtually every school record and carried the Wildcats to their first-ever state chapionship game appearance in 2017.
However, most of the offense, which averaged 45.6 points a game in 2017 is in tact, including a solid group up front and receiver Austin Jones, who Shaw said may be one of the most complete players he has ever coached. Jones should be the catalyst and a difference maker as he lines up all over the field -- including occasional snaps at running back and even quarterback.
But the key may be freshman Gunner Stockton, who will succeed Fisher under center. If Stockton can adapt quickly to the speed of the varsity game and distribute the ball to playmakers like Jones, junior receiver Braxton Hicks, senior running back Brison Beck, senior tight end Austin Sosebee, and junior receiver Dawson Lathan, the Wildcats may not miss a beat.
"Gunner, Brison, and Dawson could all have breakout seasons. So if they step up like we think they will to go with Austin we feel we'll still be a very potent offense," Shaw said. "We're excited to see what they can do."
With seven returning starters, the Wildcat defense should be a stabilizing force, including a solid and experienced line and secondary, led by Jones, who will play free safety.
The key to the season could be three region games at home versus Monticello, Elbert County (a Sweet 16 team in 2017), and Union County, who is dropping down from Class 3A. Sweep at home in region play and another playoff run is certainly achievable.
RABUN COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Wildcats
- TEAM COLORS: Red and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-2A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Lee Shaw, seventh season, 59-15
- 2017 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 14-1, Class AA state runner-up, Region 8-AA champion
- KEY LOSSES: QB/P Bailey Fisher, WR Cole Keener, MLB/LS Gavin Jones, ILB Dawson Henricks, DL Tanner Jarrard, SS Justin Wilkes, PK Andrew Barnes
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread option -- The Wildcats' high-powered attack will be under new management with Stockton but the goal will be the same: get the ball to their playmakers in space and make defenses cover the whole field. Expect Jones to get touches early and often for the Wildcats.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Fr. QB Gunner Stockton, Sr. WR Austin Jones, Jr. WR Braxton Hicks, Sr. OL Shawn Lovell, Sr. RB Brison Beck, Sr. OL Jackson Webb, Sr. TE Austin Sosebee, Sr. OL Andrew Lovell, Jr. WR Dawson Lathan, So. 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 2018.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. DL Jackson Webb, Sr. DL Austin Sosebee, Sr. FS Austin Jones, Jr. CB Braxton Hicks, Sr. OL Jackson Webb, Sr. DL Andrew Lovell, Jr. CB Dawson Lathan, Jr. LB A.J. Wheeler, Jr. LB Trent Miller, Jr. LB Mason Sprinkle, Jr. LB Phillip Roberson, Sr. LB Zach Ferguson, Sr. CB Hunter Dills
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. PK Tito Diaz, open competition for P duties, Sr. KR Hunter Dills
- STRENGTH: OL/RB/defense: Most of the experience the Wildcats bring to 2018 is on the defensive side, especially along the defensive line and in the secondary. But the running game looks strong with several key returners up front to go with a pair of guys in the backfield with Beck and Jarrard for a solid 1-2 punch.
- QUESTION: Overall depth/inexperience: The Wildcats' two-deep is thin on both sides of the ball in 2018, and they have inexperience overall at key positions, especially at QB where Stockton is still trying to get up to speed to the varsity level. Avoiding injuries to leaders will be key for any playoff run.
- KEY GAMES: Rabun opens against Bremen in the Erk Russell Classic in Statesboro and closes its non-region schedule at home against Class 4A Stephens County. The 'Cats open Region 8-2A play on the road at Putnam County, but the key to a fifth straight region title could be home games against Monticello, Elbert County, and Union County, who all are expected to be in the playoff hunt.
- TRENDING: It may seem that there is only one way to go after reaching the championship game. But Shaw said the focus on last season's historic run has dissipated and the anticipation of trying to keep the program's momentum going is high for the 2018 season. The Wildcats will be young overall and without Fisher for the first time in four seasons. But the ceiling is high for Stockton, who will try to put his stamp on the program, and Shaw and staff have put together another typical hard-nosed, talented squad. If the young Wildcats players develop quickly, look for another deep playoff run to materialize.
2018 SCHEUDLE
Aug. 18 vs. Bremen (at Ga. Southern), 6 p.m.
Aug. 24 at North Murray
Sept. 7 vs. Stephens County
Sept. 14 at Putnam County*
Sept. 21 vs. Monticello*
Sept. 28 at Banks County*
Oct. 12 vs. Elbert County*
Oct. 19 at Social Circle*
Oct. 26 vs. Oglethorpe County*
Nov. 2 vs. Union County*
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/8/696874/2018-football-preview-rabun-county