The Skinny
Head Coach Tim Cokely has led the White County Warriors to the playoffs in his first two seasons. The Warriors play in a region with the two-time defending state champs as well as perennial powers such as Marist and Flowery Branch and up and coming teams such as West Hall, Denmark and Chestatee. We asked Coach Cokely what his biggest challenge is coming into the season.
“Depth of the offensive and defensive line,” he said.
The Warriors will lean on Devin Sullens to help on the offensive line while the team looks for depth at the position. Junior quarterback J Ben Haynes will be under center again this season with a year of experience under his belt. Last season Haynes passed for 1,351 yards and 9-TDs.
Haynes will have both of his top receivers back from a year ago in Cooper Turner (17 catches for 284 yards) and Will Sampson (21 catches for 276yards). Meanwhile Zion McMullen appears set to take over at running back. McMullen is a rising sophomore who averaged 4.7 yards per carry last season.
On defense, All-Region selection Greg Wilmer will be one of the leaders. Wilmer is the team’s top returning tackler from a season ago. He will be joined at linebacker by Jared Julian and Cory Ezzard.
Up front, Jaquez Williams will help steady the defensive line while Nix Burnett is one of the leading returners in the secondary.
We asked Coach Cokely if there were any games circled on the schedule.
He simply said, “All (of them).”
How will success be determined by the Warriors this season?
Cokely said, “Making a playoff run.”
