Pigskin Roundup 2015 | Page 64

CLASS 4A REGION 6 WHITE PLAINS WILDCATS SAKS WILDCATS It comes as little surprise that Saks will, once again, put a very solid team on the field in the 2015 season. Under Jonathan Miller, who is entering his fourth season as head coach, the Wildcats have a 31-6 regular season record and an exemplary 19-2 record against region opponents. For the third straight season the White Plains football program will have a new head coach, but he’s not new to the Wildcat program. Chris White stepped into the head coaching role after a seven year tenure as defensive coordinator & assistant under Heath Harmon and Larry Strain. “The big thing I want to get across is a change of culture of being better teammates,” Chris White said. “Being very positive across the board is the big thing. Our kids and coaches have done a great job with that and it’s helped our production.” If there is one thing Saks does extremely well, it is adapting to change. For the third straight season the Wi ldcats will break-in a new quarterback in Quin Smith. The senior served as a talented defensive back last season and has played quarterback on the JV squad. He’ll have a wealth of experience with him in the backfield. Calvin Figueroa returns as the Wildcats feature back. The senior recorded over 1,500 yards last season. Demetrius Powell has played a lot since his freshman season and will play a major role on both offense and defense as a senior. The Wildcats will have to replace three starters on the offensive line. However, a strong nucleus is in place. Three year starter Austin Hobbs returns as right tackle and fellow senior Logan Mayne is back for a second season as starting right guard. Defensively, the Wildcats will not have to rely on as many players going both ways as in previous years. The depth will help as the season goes along giving much-needed rest for starting players. The secondary will have a lot of experience with Quay McCord back as starting safety and Landun Peters at safety. The Wildcats will rotate several defensive linemen and linebackers in their front seven. With over 20 seniors on the roster, expect Saks to lean heavily on the upperclassmen in the 2015 campaign. The Wildcats will turn to a new quarterback with the transfer of last year’s starter Drew Hudson. White Plains will lean on Kevin Carr as the team’s new leader. The senior has played a variety of roles for the Wildcats and Coach White knows he’s ready to accept the challenge as the signal caller. “Kevin has really stepped up and turned into a vocal leader and the team has really responded to him. He’s doing a really good job.” QUINN SMITH Quarterback SCHEDULE 8/28 Walter Wellborn..........Away 9/04 Sardis......................Away* 9/11 Cherokee County.........Home* 9/18 White Plains..............Home* 9/25 Weaver.....................Home 10/02 Crossville..................Away* 10/09 Hokes Bluff................Home* 10/16 Cleburne County..........Home* 10/23 Jacksonville...............Away* 10/29 Lafayette..................Away COACH JONATHAN MILLER... “We got a lot done during the spring. We broke in a lot of new starters. We were able to get guys some good momentum going into the summer. Our guys have been working hard and we’re anticipating the jamboree and the season.” 62 | 2015 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine Sophomore Macy Carr will again be the feature running back this season. White Plains will also rely on seniors Jordan Giddens, Caleb Turner, Marquez Wyatt, and Kyle Roughton. The bulk of the numbers and key contributors on this team are underclassmen. Caleb Knight is a sophomore returner. Caleb Morrow is one of the skill players who suffered an injury last season. White says Morrow came back late in the season and made a big contribution. He’s also had a very strong offseason. The Wildcats also return the talented Blake Roszell who is expected make an impact on offense. Although the Wildcats play in the extremely tough Class 4A Region 6, expect them to make some noise and prove to be a much-improved team. White Plains will face B.B. Comer in a fall jamboree game on August 21st. KEVIN CARR Quarterback SCHEDULE 8/28 Ashville................... Home 9/04 Hokes Bluff............... Home* 9/11 Cleburne County......... Home* 9/18 Saks....................... Away* 9/25 Pleasant Valley.......... Away 10/02 Sardis..................... Home* 10/09 Jacksonville.............. Away* 10/16 Crossville................. Away* 10/23 Cherokee County........ Home* 10/30 Weaver.................... Away COACH CHRIS WHITE... “We’ve really had a good summer. The guys have really worked hard. We’ve picked up some strength in the weightroom. We’ve also had some offseason changes but we’ve adjusted and it’s been good.”