State of the Program ... Flowery Branch (GA)
Flowery Branch (GA)
Head Coach: Brett Clark (1st year Flowery Branch; 20th year overall)
Staff: Matthew Seaman, Caleb Hamilton, Wyatt Slydek, Anthony Woodall
Flowery Branch bumps up to 5A this season after finishing 11th at the Traditional State Tournament in 4A in 2022. Coach Clark comes over from Discovery with the Falcons returning three of their five qualifiers including 2x State Champ Seth Larson and State Placer Cal Rockenbach. Add in State Qualifier Quinn McDowell and this is a team that should be in the running for a top 10 finish in a very deep 5A. Connor Schroder, Max Woodford, and Vinny Kilroy each qualified for Sectionals last year and will be counted on to make an impact this season.
Keep an eye on Colin Pearson, Jack Breakfield, Johnathan Valentine, Ethan Grooms, and Rodrigo Magana down low, but this team’s strength is up top (150-285). The above five (Pearson, Breakfield, etc.) along with Schroder, freshman Preston Valentine, and senior Tobby Timmons will be counted on to keep the Falcons competitive until the middleweights take over. The middle and top should be the strength of this squad with Larson and Rockenbach as well as McDowell, Woodford, and Kilroy (all with post-season experience). Matthew Valentine, Matthew Young, and Tommy Hillard will look to challenge Kilroy and Woodford at 215 and 285. Aiden Valentine, Samuel Espinoza as well as freshman Griffin Harper, transfer Jason Clark, and Wyatt Harrison will look to compliment Larson and Rockenbach between 150 and 190.
“Excited about this year’s team with the coaches and athletes we have, but trying to get to know each other, It’s a learning process for all of us. With guys like Seth Larson a two time champ and Cal Rockenbach 3rd last year leading the team we are looking to get more to join them on the podium at the state this year.”
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.