North Paulding (GA)

Head Coach: Ethan Slate (entering 4th year)

Staff: Nolan Smith, Brad Martin, Cass Jones

North Paulding qualified 10 a year ago and return 7 for the 2021-22 season. They do lose Justin DiCono, Hunter Butterworth, and Mason Landrum, but return several wrestlers that should be in the hunt for a spot on the podium in 2022. Kaden Brown, Micah Green, and Micah Veiga each won multiple matches in Macon and will be counted on to be part of the pack leading the way this season. Josh Denson and Collin Mullins have had tremendous “off-seasons” and will make huge leaps this season. Both have the ability to make a run for the top step. Keep an eye on Graham Luca and Rhyen Miller as well as Landon Hicks … all three have the ability to make an impact in 2022.

“The team is looking really strong this year. We have a young group that has dedicated countless hours to the mat and weight room throughout the offseason. We’re coming off a region championship year and hope to continue the trend for many years to come.”

— Coach Slate

Gilmer (GA)

Head Coach: Joshua Ghobadpoor (5th Year at Gilme, 12th Overall)

Staff: DJ Underwood, Stacy Galloway, Brent Berry, Dan Puac

Gilmer is always amongst the best programs in Georgia - regardless of their size. 2021-2022 should be no different. The Bobcats are eligible to return the majority of their point-getters from last year’s state tournament including 4 that made the podium in 2021. Carson Farist claimed a state title as a freshman and will look to make it two in a row in 2022. Dylan Galloway, Arturo Gonzalez, and Diego Jacinto each finished 2nd and should be amongst the favorites to take the top step this season. If Gilmer can put 4 on top of the podium they will be tough to beat.

The Bobcats also have Miguel Jacinto, Daniel Reynoso, Kellan Watts, Owen Moss, and Tony Olea that just missed the podium a year ago and should be in the hunt for a spot in 2022. On paper - Gilmer has to be one of the teams to beat, but each of those mentioned above will need to come through to make that happen. Keep an eye on Juan Rafael, Bregan Barry, Leo Domingo, Pascual Escobar and others as they look to fill spots and make an impact in 2022.

“Our entire program has very high expectations for this season as we always do. We are blessed to have a great tradition and want to continue to make our community proud. Our goal is to be State Champions! We have been State Runner-Ups the last 5 years and we are ready to break through that plateau. Last year was a tough year, with things out of our control ultimately being a factor. That has just made our wrestlers even more hungry and they have been working hard this off-season. We have an amazing group of wrestlers with many State Champs, Runner Ups, Placers, and Qualifiers returning. It should be an exciting year, with a schedule that will have us battle tested!”

— Coach Ghobadpoor

Toombs County (GA)

Head Coach: Todd Allen (1st season at Toombs; 10 years at college level)

Staff: Logan Daves, Wesley Bratton, Cruz Arredondo

Toombs County returns a handful of 2021 State Qualifiers and will look to make an impact in a tough Georgia 2A in 2022. The crew loses State Placer Chandler Lynn as well as 4 other State Qualifiers, but this year’s group has several hammers of their own that will look to climb onto the podium. Toombs returns 6 State Qualifiers (5 of which all won matches in Macon in 2021) - look for Tank Morris, Kameron Clark, Gibson Woods, Jacob Edwards, and Brock Nobles to make a run at the podium and lead this squad in 21-22.

Toombs also returns State Qualifier Trayvonne Harris as well as Samuel Register and both will look to make an impact in 2022. The future is bright as Toombs has 5 freshmen that will look to come in and push this team. Keep an eye on Dabvn Johnson, Axcel Barbosa, Anthony Ball, Zireese Scott, and Sam Kelly. If the freshmen can really compliment the returning starters - this year’s squad could be tough to beat.

“We are a young team, but my freshman class is committed and talented. We are reigniting the wrestling culture and tradition that Toombs County has had in the past. I have internal expectations for my team, but at the current moment we are focused on bringing a fight to every match and performing our best, wins and losses will take care of themselves.”

— Coach Allen