WHITE PLAINS WILDCATS WINTERBORO BULLDOGS
Class, Region: Class 4A, Region 5 Head Coach: Chris White
2016 Record: 0-10 2016 Playoffs: None
2016 Rewind: A very young team struggled to find their way last season. Playing in arguably the toughest 4A region in the state, the Wildcats did not win on the scoreboard, but picked up valuable experience throughout the season.
Key Losses: A few skill players make up the Wildcats’ impactful losses from last year’ s squad including, WR / DB Peyton Morgan, RB Alex Howard, RB Blake Roszell and Nathan Jenkins.
Players to Watch: A lot of seasoned players return on both sides of the ball at White Plains. Offensively the Wildcats will lean on the talents of returning starting QB Ryan Bannister. The senior will be joined in the backfield by running backs James Elrod and Pat Harris who both are expected to have strong seasons. Up front, junior Caleb Knight will anchor the offensive line. Defensively, the Wildcats have playmakers on all three levels. Linebackers Walker Surrett and Austin Farley head up the linebacking corps. Senior safety Braxton Dopson will lead the secondary and Jake Spivey will be the force on the defensive line.
2017 Roundup: It would be natural to assume that spirits would be down following an 0-10 season, but that is
# 51 Caleb Knight # 23 Walker Surrett
certainly not the case for the Wildcats. Entering his third season as head coach Chris White praised his team’ s work ethic through spring training, which was capped off with a comeback win over Pleasant Valley in the spring jamboree. That momentum carried into a productive summer workout program.“ We made some commitments and our guys are hungry,” White said.“ Our attitude is where it needs to be and our culture is starting to change. The accountability that the players are holding each other to has been great.” Expect to see an improved White Plains team take the field in 2017.
Did You Know? Following a roadheavy 2016 schedule, the Wildcats will play seven home games in 2017.
Class, Region: Class 1A, Region 4 Head Coach: Alan Beckett
2016 Record: 6-5 2016 Playoffs: Lost at Isabella 46-6 in the First Round of the Class 1A Playoffs.
2016 Rewind: The Winterboro Bulldogs finished 6-5 last season, going 4-2 in Class 1A, Region 4, and lost to Isabella in the first round of the AHSAA State Playoffs.
Key Losses: Of the key players that Winterboro lost from last season, three are going on the play college
Cade Sanders football. Khalil Keith will play at Baylor, Marcus McMeans will be playing for Tennessee Tech, and Clay Twyman will stay close to home to play for Jacksonville State.
Players to Watch: Third year offensive / defensive line starter RJ Burns returns for his final season. Cam Borden is another player to watch this season as well, along with Brody Hamm, and Nyjavion Brown.
2017 Roundup: Coach Alan Beckett enters his fifth season as head coach and the Bulldogs have improved every year he has been there. Coach Beckett is looking to continue that trend in 2017. Omar Dobbins will into the starting quarterback role for the 2017 season. Coach Beckett has put together a tough schedule for his squad, but knows that is a big key for his team to reach their full potential this season.
Did You Know? Coach Beckett has earned a reputation as a program changer. At Collinsville, he led the Panthers from a 3-7 record his first year to records of 6-5, 6-4, 9-2, 11-2, and 8-3 over the rest of his tenure. At Winterboro, his teams have improved from 0-10 to 4-6, 6-4, and 6-5.
2017 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine | 61