Hammond (SC)

Head Coach: Austin Hood (entering 11th season)

Staff: Blake Tillman, Aaron Pettry, Riley Pharr

I don’t usually cover the independent schools around the Southeast (it is already a challenge to try to cover those sanctioned by the high school activities associations in each state), but I never turn down an opportunity to share about a program (although I cannot offer much depth because I don’t know the programs as well). That said - Coach Hood shared information on Hammond - who is one of the top SCISA programs. They are led by hammers Leo Addeo and Sam Dubose, but have a full group that will look to push Hammond back to the top in 2021-22. The upperclassmen - Garrett Watson, PJ Davis, Aiden Palisin, and Aiden Canzater will look to push the newer faces to contribute in 2022.

Keep an eye on Luke Martin, Nolan Addeo, James Meacham, Rad Dobson, and James Lay … each are young and will be asked to contribute if Hammond are going to regain the crown. Keep an eye on Garrett Watson - the senior 285 was a backup a year ago and will be counted on to make some noise in 2022.

“Hammond looks to get back in top of SCISA. 33-2 in SCISA for the past 3 years Hammond plans to regain its crown with a batch of young freshman contributing. Our culture has always been about building championships and this season will be no different with a foundation of experienced upperclassmen balanced by 2x State Champ Leo Addeo and 3x State Champ Sam Dubose. ”

— Coach Hood

Union Grove (GA)

Head Coach: Josh Coffee

Staff: Alex Lazor, Wes Cobb

Union Grove returns half of their State Qualifiers from a team that finished 6th in 5A in 2021. They might be challenged to reach those same heights in 2022 with the graduation of State Runner-up Alexander Troy as well as State Placer Garren Groover and State Qualifiers Brian Shaw, Nick Owens, and Keshu Khara. But the Wolverines do return some hammers that will look to make an impact this season. The group is led by returning State Placer Jonah Lavendar who was 5th at 126 as a sophomore last year. Dalton Clinton and Levi Roe nearly made the podium a year ago as well after winning 3 matches in Macon and each will be another Wolverine looking to climb high on the podium in 2022.

For UG to make another run into the top 10 they will need 2021 State Qualifiers Christian Troy and Maddox Powell to make some noise as well as returners Robert Dunn and Aiden Echols. Keep an eye on Jerome Evans and Hudson Groover as well as Braxton McClean in 2021-2022.

Paulding County (GA)

Head Coach: Mark Sanker (1st season at Paulding County; 12th overall)

Staff: Jacob Tripp, Dani Cato

Coach Sanker takes over the Paulding County program in 2021-2022. He does so without State Qualifiers Ethan Bennett and Coleton Thompson - both of whom have graduated. Coach Sanker will look to a core group to help build the program including 2021 State Qualifier Lewis Ledbetter. The team will also look to Maddox Sisk and Avery May who were both freshmen a year ago and have post-season experience. Keep an eye on Logan Sanders, Chezney Brady, and Leah Hynes as the look to make an impact in 2022.

“Paulding County is team that will compete and wrestle to a standard that is expected of them. Each wrestler will battle for six minutes...win or lose...we will compete. ”

— Coach Sanker