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

Enka (NC)

Head Coach: Mark Harris (entering 20th season at Enka; 26th overall)

Staff: Rich Caisse, Neal Martin, Rich Apolinar, Rhett Hoy, Chris Gant, Josh Sims

Enka is one of the standard-bearers in NC 3A and with the new alignments … they will have to fend off some new challengers in 2021-2022. Enka was 1st in the West in 2021 and finished 8th at the state tournament. But they were hit hard by graduation with the graduation of State Runner-up Colby Maxwell and State Placer Tony Torres as well as Eli Foster and Luke Artz. Those four had the lions share of the points from the 2021 state tournament. Enka will turn to State Placer Greyson Harris and State Qualifier Isaiah Morrison … and each will be counted on to lead this group into the 2021-22 season.

The 2021-2022 Enka squad has several wrestlers ready to step up and fill the void left by the departing Seniors. Bodhi McCormack, Daniel Gath, and Colton Crooke each won matches at the West Region and could have punched their ticket a year ago if there had been consolations … regardless they will be counted on to step up and do so in 2022. Keep an eye on Jesse Smith, Riley Pugh, Keith Rhodarmer, and Josh Davis - each will look to step in and make a difference this coming season. Two others to watch this season are 2020 State Qualifier move-in Noah Tocaben as well as freshman Gavin Cryderman. Watch for Coach Harris to put the pieces back together again and for Enka to once again be a force in 3A.

“We expect to have a solid dual team in 2021-22. We return a lot of starters and our wrestlers have worked hard in the summer and fall. With a full season to develop our athletes through a tough schedule, we expect to have both a highly competitive dual and tournament team by February. ”

— Coach Harris

George Jenkins (FL)

Head Coach: Gavin Osborn (entering 3rd season)

Staff: Alex Ebisawa, Jaylon Andrews, Bob Harley

George Jenkins graduated a few Seniors, but the 2021-2022 should be a better version of the 2020-2021 version. State Qualifier Nathan Peoples returns after taking 2nd in 3A Region 2 and winning two matches in Kissimmee. He will hunting for a spot on the podium in his senior season. The key for Jenkins is getting those returners to win matches at region and punch their ticket to Kissimmee in 2022. Landon Walters, Raquan Green, and Gavin Keim each won a region match a year ago and look like the Eagles best shot to have someone join Nathan in Kissimmee in 2022.

Keep an eye on Roderick Brown and Timothy Peoples - each has had a taste of the region tournament and will look to make an impact in 2022. Keep an eye on Reece Shim and Brock Barr … they will look to break into the lineup and make a difference in 21-22 as well.

“We are returning a solid group from last season. A young roster with only two seniors, we have a great group of guys who have gotten a lot of valuable mat time over the offseason. We are optimistic and are looking to continue getting better day after day.”

— Coach Osborn