Mill Creek (GA)

Head Coach: Nathan White (entering 5th season)

Staff: Matt Page, Ramon Prieto

It feels as if Mill Creek has been on the precipice of breaking through in 7A for the last several years, but hasn’t managed to crack into the top echelon just yet. They finished 14th a year ago and with the lineup they have returning the expectations have to be that they will climb into the top 10 in 2022. This squad is full of Seniors and Juniors that have experience and are ready to take that next step. State Placer Joey Bambinelli leads the way along with 2021 State Qualifiers Grant Turner, Gavin Guerra, and Austin Edwards.

Banks Bitterman finished with 3 wins in Macon as a Sophomore and will be counted on to climb onto the podium in 2022. The biggest edition to the Mill Creek group is incoming freshman Dominic Bambinelli. Dom - younger brother of Joey - was a double All American in Fargo and is already amogst the favorites to claim a state title as a freshman. The key to Mill Creek’s ability to push into the top 10 is the development of Seth Haynes, Aaron Garcia, Cooper Kane, John Boratyn, Nevaeh Hill, and Ryan Perry.

“The team returns 7 state qualifiers and has a few incoming wrestlers to be excited about. As has been the goal for the past few years, Mill Creek will be attempting to win their 1st region title in school history and compete to finish as high as possible at state duals. ”

— Coach White

McEachern (GA)

Head Coach: Corey Newsome (entering 6th season)

Staff: Ben Hamburg, Ryan Furr, Tyler McCance, Brandon Westerman, Kris James, Torrey Howard, Vic Garrett, Jarrod Britt

McEachern qualified 13 in 2021 and are eligible to return 11 of those wrestlers … meaning the Indians will have a wealth of experience as we enter the 2021-2022 season. One loss that is probably felt the most is the graduation of Ese Dubre - multiple time State Placer that is now playing football at the next level. Still this is a squad that has all of the pieces to make some noise in 7A. McEachern was 19th at the traditional tournament in 21 (and they lose their hammer), but they still return 10 and the majority of them won a match in Macon in 2021.

Shamani Price, Shamaad Price, and Ty’Jon Cash should lead the way and each will be hunting for a spot on the podium. They key to McEachern climbing into the top 15 (and perhaps the top 10) is the continued development Jalyn Winston, Kerry Aboko, Devonte Morgan, Rickey Motley, Ty Cox, Kristian Coffey, and Steron Parke. Two names to keep an eye on are Ovie Dubre and freshman Tre Butler. Butler has spent the summer wrestling and will be tough to handle up at 220.

“Our team is excited about the upcoming season with everyone returning from last year except for 2 guys. A big loss with Ese Dubre graduating, but in coming freshman Tre Butler should fit in really well for us at that weight. Ese’s younger brother Ovie Dubre will make a name for himself this year at 285.”

— Coach Newsome

Parkwood (NC)

Head Coach: Chris Linthicum (entering 5th year at Parkwood)

Staff: Donnee Grase, Charles D'Apice, Kyle Ketchum, Tyler Michaels.

Parkwood qualified 11 for the 3A Midwest Region in 2021 and finished 9th. They lose Parks and Baucom to graduation, but return both hammers in State Champ Cody Hardy and State Qualifier Caleb Simpson. But Hardy and Simpson are just the tip of the iceberg … they headline a deep senior class that includes 5 others (Baden, Bigham, Bramhall, Reedy, and D’Apice) that will look to go out with bang in 2022. This team also has a good Junior class and that makes Parkwood a force to be reckoned with in 3A.

Keep an eye on Juniors AJ Warner, Chayton Tala, Sage Tala, Grayson Wallace, Zach Jackson as well as Sophomores Declan Sullinsand Ethan Truesdell. Kyle Simpson could make some noise as a freshman.

“We look for this year to be a great year for our program. We are joining a new conference and looking forward to some great new match ups for us. This year’s senior class has been together for a long time and they do a great job of leading by example on and off the mat; we are hoping they go out with a bang this season!”

— Coach Linthicum