We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 White County football team in this preview. We take a look at roster changes and what fans can expect from the team this season.
2021 Stats
- Overall Record: 4-7
- Points Scored: 249
- Points Against: 340
Key Losses
White County will be without the services of RB/LB Zion McMullen, who signed with Reinhardt University. Zion was solid during his high school career, racking up 110 tackles and rushing for 535 yards with three TDs. Defensive lineman Malachi Zellars graduated with 60 tackles and four sacks on his Warriors resume. WR/DB Bryson Cronic enjoyed a solid senior season in 2021, finishing his career at White County with 35 tackles and two INT, and rushing for five TDs on just 17 carries last season.
RB/DB Silas Mulligan is headed to Piedmont College to play basketball, but his career stats as a White County football player were pretty good, too. He had 1,141 yards rushing on 242 carries with 11 TDs during his time at White County. DL Malachi Zellars’ presence on the defensive line will be missed, as he had 60 tackles with four sacks. WR/DB Darius Cannon has transferred to Gainesville, and his departure along with teammates graduating, leave White County with just one returning wide receiver, according to new head coach Chad Bennett.
Who’s Back
Bennett will have a group of returning seniors to provide leadership for his new squad in 2022. They include returning WR Kane Lowery, who Bennett hopes will fill some of the production lost in that area of the offense. He can also handle kickoff returns, and he punted, averaging 36.6 yards per attempt last season.
DB Colton Turner returns to give the Warriors leadership and experience in the defensive backfield in 2022. Last season, he came up with two INT, one of which he returned for a TD. He also forced two fumbles and recovered one. The team will have experience along the offensive and defensive lines with the return of Jeb Robinson, Trenton O’Kelly and big JD Trowell, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound All-Region selection and All-State Honorable Mention lineman who runs a 4.9 40-yard dash. Bennett said Trowell is being heavily recruited, and will likely play OL only in college.
The Warriors return kicker Hayden Vandergriff, and Bennett says the QB position will have two returners from last season who have looked good this spring: Sophomore Tripp Nix started seven games for White County last season, and freshman Braxton Anderson will battle for playing time. Each player led three TD drives in the Warriors’ spring contest against Franklin County.
What To Expect
The Warriors enter the season with some question marks on offense, with the team thin on experience at the WR position. Bennett will likely give a few of the younger guys a shot at making an impact there. The team should be solid with Nix returning at QB, and Anderson also vying for playing time. Nix threw for over 1,300 yards and 12 TDs last season while completing 61% of his passes. Both he and Anderson looked impressive in the Warriors’ spring contest.
The team is solid along the offensive and defensive front lines, with size and experience in each area. “I’m excited about our potential,” said Bennett, who served as White County’s offensive coordinator from 2017-2020 before taking the same position at Gainesville High last season. Bennett did express some concern about the inexperience, but said he likes the team’s athleticism.
Prediction
White County finishes 6-4 in Bennett’s return to the Warriors.
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