Smith Returns To Wheeler
The Wheeler County High School Bulldogs have a familiar face back at the helm as Thomas Smith has come back from Dodge County to take back over as the program’s Head Coach. The Bulldogs were 3-7 last season and are hoping to improve on those numbers and make it back into the playoffs.
This year the Bulldogs will be in Region 4 in A Division 2. They are back in a Region with their two rivals in Montgomery County and Treutlen County. This will be a tough Region for the Bulldogs, but they are hoping to give themselves a chance as the playoff season rolls around.
Coach Smith said that his staff was able to get back in with the kids in January of this year and that they have been working hard ever since. They had a good intersquad spring game and were able to see some of the younger guys that were coming up. They had good numbers over summer workouts and were able to attend some camps which were good for the team. They are now gearing up for the season with high hopes.
With Smith back as Head Coach, Wesley Lowry is coming in as the Defensive Coordinator, Drew Collins will be the Offensive Coordinator and handle the offensive line, Calvin Wilcox is coming in as the defensive line coach, and Jagger Hogue will handle the tight ends. Sincere Carnes is coming in after finishing up playing football in college to coach running backs. Carnes is a former player of Coach Smith’s when he was the Head Coach at Robert Toombs Christian Academy. Ken Pack will coach the quarterbacks and secondary, and Garrett McDonald is also with the running backs.
For the Bulldogs offense, Reco Wooten was scheduled to be the quarterback for the Bulldogs but is down with an injury and may miss the season. They have moved Kaysen Troup to quarterback, and he is coming along, and they are looking for him to step up and fill that role.
At running back, they have a solid group of guys who are led by Alvin Ricks at fullback, who rushed for over 1,000 yards the previous two seasons. Justin Culver and Sencear Marks will be behind him at wing and will get the majority of the carries. Jah'Koryan Dinkins is a freshman that will see playing time, and they have a few other young players that will also get some action in the backfield.
At tight end, they will have Quen'Shawn Glasper, who will be playing for the first time but looked really good over the summer and at 7 on 7 camps. Lane Connell, JT Gillis, and Konner Smith will also see time at tight end. JJ Woodard will be out at wide receiver along with Amir Weeks.
Up on the offensive line, the Bulldogs will have sophomore Rhett McCranie at center anchoring the line. He hasn’t gotten a ton of playing time, but they think that he is developing well and will take on the challenge. JJ Williams and Aiden Atchley, both seniors, will flank him at the guard positions. Jordan Bridges will start at tackle, with Isiah Williams at the other side.
Over on the defensive side of the ball, Wheeler will rotate Bridges and Atchley at nose guard. The defensive ends are going to be KJ Williams and Nick Harrell. They are expected to step up and clog up the middle, and all those guys should make an impact for the Bulldogs this season.
Back at linebacker, Jaden Bridges will be at middle linebacker. Alvin Ricks and Justin Culver will be on the outside. Laith Davis will also see time on the outside. The linebackers are going to be a key for the Bulldogs as they will lead their defense.
In the secondary, they will have Kaysen Troupe at one cornerback, with Dinkins and Amur Weeks rotating on the other side. Woodard will be the free safety for the Bulldogs. They will have two other safeties that they call the spurs, and those will be Marks and Connell.
The Bulldogs on special teams will be looking to Jandel Ramirez, a freshman, to handle the kicking duties. Coach Smith said that he has a ton of potential but just needs to work at it to get it locked in. They are still looking for their punter with Woodard and Jayden Bridges vying for that spot. Lane Connell will be the long snapper for Wheeler.
Coach Smith said that they have seniors in key positions, and with the depth they have at running back, they will be able to spread the ball around. They are hoping to keep the opposing defense off balance and will look to make some big plays.
Coach Smith stated, “I am extremely excited to be back at Wheeler County. We have a great administration here starting with Coach Dupree as Athletic Director. Greg Wilcher, who is in charge of the grounds and the facilities, has done a tremendous job getting us what we need. Mr. Bell at Principal, you can just tell that he cares about these kids on the field and in the classroom. Our Superintendent Dr. Floyd works great with us, and we are just blessed with the administration that we have.
“We get such great support from the community, from our Booster Club, they are all great to us. The pregame and postgame meals are sponsored by businesses and people in the community, donations of drinks and protein powders, sandwiches, we just can’t thank everyone enough.”
Smith added, “It is going to be really important with our big freshman class, just getting some of those guys ready to step in and take some of the load off of other guys. We are working on the depth, and we are happy with where we are at. It is going to be a competitive Region, and it is one that you are going to have to bring it every Friday night. I am excited that we are going to get some nonregion games in before we have to jump into the big Region matchups later in the season, to get us on track before the games that count towards the playoffs.”
The Bulldogs will open their season on August 16 at home against Wilkinson County at 7:30 p.m.
