State of the Program ... Carrollton (GA)
Carrollton (GA)
Head Coach: Nick White (22nd year overall; 7 years as head coach)
Staff: JC Fuller, Dan Harris, Tucker Rey
Carrollton makes the jump up from 6A and into a 7A that should be the most interesting to watch in Georgia. The Trojans finished 18th in a very competitive 6A in 2022. They return all of their state point-getters from a year ago, but the path in 7A might be tougher than it was a season ago … meaning that this team should be even better than last year’s, but it may (or may not) be reflected in where they end up. State Runner-up (and Fargo U16 Runner-up) Jacob Levy returns and will make a run for a state title up at 215 or heavyweight. State Qualifier Buck Merritt also returns and will be hunting a spot on the podium in 2023. But how high the Trojans climb will come down to the other spots in the lineup.
Darius Sanders, Xavier Powell, Jacob Eastwood, and Joseph Sales are all Seniors looking to make their mark in their final season. Juniors Bennett Cleek, Riley Rayburn as well as sophomores Kam Thornton and George Carden will look to break into the middle of the lineup from 132-157. Keep an eye on Sophomore Wesley Loftin who wrestled at Sectionals a year ago and for incoming freshman Connor Stephens. Levy will lead the way, but it will be up to those around him in helping Carrollton battle through a very good 7A this season.
“I am as excited about this season as any I have been a part of at CHS. We have had a great off season worth of training and pre season lifts have given us a ton of new faces and depth. This years version of the Trojans welcome the opportunity to compete in the largest classification in the state of Georgia. We look forward to expounding upon the “Choose Right” lifestyle that we teach/preach here at CHS. We are relatively young in terms of experience however, we have some guys that have been super successful on the national scene ready to lead and teach. I am also extremely excited about the community coach support we will receive this year. Overall we feel as if we can put ourselves in a position to be successful this season while loading up on youth for the seasons to come.”
NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.