Calhoun City fell just shy of another state title appearance last season, but they look to go for it again this year with a new head coach and a new offensive system.
Chad White takes over at the helm of the Wildcat program after spending the last four years as City’s defensive coordinator Calhoun City secured its second all-time state championship in 2016 but has 
fallen shy of repeating the feat each year since.
Calhoun City is having to replace its two leading rushers from a season ago in Anfernee Campbell and Jay Bailey and is implementing a new offensive system to combat these changes. The Wildcats will also have plenty of new faces on defense this season, having to replace eight starters from a season ago.
“It’s going to be more of a spread type thing this year than it has been in the past, so there’ll be some changes offensively,” White said.
According to White, many of the personnel changes are still up in the air but will be sorted out as the season wears on.
“Right now, we’ve got so many [young players] that we’re looking at, it’s still kind of up for grabs,” White said. “We’ve got a really good idea of the ones that have been excelling in practice, but we want to see how they react when they get under the lights.”
2018 Record: 10-5, 3-0
(lost to Scott Central in North Half final)
Head Coach: Chad White (1st year)
2019 Division: Region 2-2A
For a team having to replace numerous starters on both sides of the ball, White is planning to lean on his 16 seniors as a strength this fall.
“We’re still in that process of trying to put all the right puzzle pieces in, but our seniors, as far as a group, have been our strength this summer.”
White’s biggest concern for his first season is trying to keep the Calhoun City program moving in the right direction after successful tenures by head coaches Perry Liles and Mike Ray. “Just trying to keep the ship going in the same direction that it’s been going. Coach Liles did a fantastic job, and coaches before him like Coach Ray and other people have done a really good job keeping the program in good shape. Our expectations are still very high.”
While much of White’s personnel may not be set in stone as of yet, it would be a safe bet to assume that names like Chardarius Hill and Thomas Clayton get some looks at quarterback and Jayden Griffin getting plentiful touches at running back. Kody Townsend, Hayden Goodson and Jaquayous Artberry should be playmakers on defense and special teams, as well.
“[Hill is] going to be taking a lot of reps [at quarterback] and one or two other people are going to take some reps,” White said. “Eventually, we’ll settle on two and let them start getting the majority of the reps.”
Senior wide receiver and defensive back Jobi Cook could be a difference maker in City’s new offense this season. Cook also gained some looks in the wildcat formation in City’s scrimmage against Vardaman last Friday, so he could be a threat there, as well.
How quickly can Calhoun City’s new starters adjust to their new offensive system? Historically a run-heavy, option-style offense, can the Wildcats adopt their new spread scheme quick enough to win their non-divisional games?