Gains in strength, O-line returnees give Wheeler County good chance to be great again

In the past, Wheeler County head coach Thomas Smith has maintained a game-by-game approach, keeping focus on one at a time and a lid on expectations. 

Now, following the Bulldogs’ 12-1 run to the state quarterfinals in 2025, Smith is encouraging his players to do the opposite: embrace those high expectations, and use it as motivation in their training to be great again. 

“We want our guys to feel like that they’ve earned, in the weight room, the chance to be good,” Smith said. “Now, when we say chance to be good, because now you’ve got to go do it on the field. You put yourself in position by what you do in the weight room, now you have to go execute on the field.”

The Bulldogs’ preparation began with a strong start, and what Smith described as the school’s “best offseason.” Half of the team made every workout over the summer, with the other half also having “90 percent or better attendance.”

“Our guys have done a good job about being here every day,” Smith said. 

Players also remained relatively healthy throughout the offseason, with only one player getting “a little banged-up” during a training camp.

Injuries have disrupted things for the Bulldogs in the past, like in 2024 when they had to scrap their plans on offense due to the loss of a starting quarterback. 

Last year’s run fortunately stayed free of major problems all the way through. 

“We’ve been blessed to be healthy,” Smith said. 

The Bulldogs have also improved mentally, no longer allowing previous plays to affect current ones regardless of what happened. According to Smith, this mentality truly set in as they began turning the corner last fall. 

“I thought last year was the first time that we got to the point where we did not let the last play affect the play before it,” he said. “And so, we’ve really harped on that again this offseason.”

A lot on the line… 

Wheeler County has had to rediscover its identity and strengths this offseason after some major turnover in the lineup. 

Last year’s team was able to rely on the skills of a number of multi-year starters, in particular the running back tandem of Alvin Ricks and Justin Culver that combined to rush for over 2,500 yards and 35 touchdowns. 

“Last year, we had one returning starting linemen, and we had really good skill guys,” Smith said. “We were able to lean on those skill guys as the line got some experience. This year, it’s kind of flipped.”

Of the seniors who graduated between seasons, many were multi-year starters and five signed to play college football.

“That’s a big number,” Smith said. 

Recent graduates Ricks, Culver, Reco Wooten, Sencear Marks, Kasyn Troup, Lane Connell and Laith Davis were all major losses. 

“We had a good senior class last year that helped lead us to our run we made,” Smith said. 

This time, the Bulldogs have nearly all their lineman returning, each with some playing experience as starters or backups. 

Though multiple “skill guys” are also back, none have much experience. 

“Even though they’ve played some meaningful snaps, they might not have had to be the guy,” Smith said. 

On special teams, a key returning player is junior kicker Jandel Ramirez, who Smith described as an important asset. 

“He was a weapon for us late in the season by not just hitting PATs, but by being able to place the ball and kickoffs where we wanted it,” he said. 

Punter, three-year starter and multi-year captain Jaden Bridges will also return, alongside several other pieces of the Bulldogs’ special teams units. 

Junior tight end Jackson Scott (6-0, 200), senior tackle Luke Smith, junior guard Trey Williams (6-2, 255), senior center Rhett McCranie (5-10, 205), junior guard Marco Tanner (5-11, 260) and junior tackle Jeric Peeples (6-4, 250) make up an offensive line that Smith considers Wheeler County’s biggest asset. 

Returning receivers senior J.J. Woodard (5-11, 155) and junior “Jah” Dinkins (5-7, 160) will serve as assets on the outside, while senior Malik Madison (5-9, 185) and sophomore John Miller (5-11, 175) will be main running backs.

Another challenge has been to replace key leaders like quarterback Reco Wooten, who threw for 800 yards, with 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions. 

“Getting a guy to step into those roles is always big, and that’s part of what we try to do our whole offseason, is encouraging them to be the leaders in the weight room, and now that we’re on the field, be the leaders on the field,” Smith said. 

Sophomore Ethan Hall (5-10, 160), whom Smith described as a “really smart kid,” will be taking over at free safety.

“We’re counting on him to get us in the right position, because we put a lot on our free safety to make the calls,” said Smith.

Who’s leading the way? 

Their new key players are identified. But who are the leaders the Bulldogs will look to to get them through the tough spots of the season? 

Smith has made a point of putting his team in challenging situations to see just who will step up. 

“It’s just trying to push guys out of their comfort zone like we talked about, get them to be leaders,” said Smith. “Because, again, when you graduate a class like that, it’s not just their play that you’re having to replace. It’s replacing leaders.”

Following last year’s success will be difficult. But not only are Wheeler County’s expectations of doing it high, so is the confidence that comes from having put in the effort. 

“Ours is more geared on the expectations they have for their self kind of deal, and our big ones since we’ve got here was trying to get them to expect to win, and then feeling like that there’s no way the person you’ve lined up against has put in the work you’ve put in,” Smith said. “Now, will it look the same in some spots? No. We’ve got some different areas that’ll be strengths, but that’s always a blessing to have expectations.”