Cherokee (GA)

Head Coach: Nathan Oertley (3rd year as Cherokee’s Head Coach)

Staff: O’Bryan Shelley, Nick Watson, Mark Knaggs

Cherokee was far from a one man wrecking crew a year ago, but it would be remiss to not mention how important Jacob Silka was to the Cherokee team (for the last four years). Silka was an absolute hammer - a 2x State Champ (and I believe a 2x Runner-up). Silka wasn’t the only hammer Cherokee lost from last year’s top 20 team … Lain Watson also qualified for (and won matches) in Macon a year ago.

This will be a much younger squad than Cherokee has had in the past, but they have a core in Javon Hobson, Colt Daniel, and Devin Mays to lead the way. Hobson, Daniel, and Mays each qualified a year ago and will look to climb onto the podium in 2023. Cherokee will also look for Christian Tabb, Braden Iovino, and Tristan Blackburn to make an impact in 2022-23. Keep an eye on some new faces to make their mark this season.

“The Young Cherokee Wrestling Warriors are preparing for a War this year! While losing a few star seniors (Jacob Silka and Lain Watson), we are looking forward to the growth of several of our young wrestlers!”

— Coach Oertley

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.

Central Carroll (GA)

Head Coach: Cody Knight (4 years)

Staff: Chris Sheffield, Kelby Watts, Turner Martin, and Craig Murray

Central Carroll finished 13th in 4A a season ago, but when asked … most people around Georgia said the team to watch this season (and in the future) is Central Carroll. This will be a young squad, but it is full of hammers that have an opportunity to show how good they are (and potentially how good they can become). The Lions should be led by returning State Runner-up Colson Hoffman and State Placer Andrew Sheffield … both are just sophomores but have already proven they can compete with anyone and each will be hunting the top step in 2023.

The Lions also feature a group of upperclassmen in Parker Brewer, Kaleb Disharoon, Dylan McKnight, and Rafi Guevara … those four should, along with Sophomore Cam Bolton, hold down the top part of the lineup. Three other returners - Owen Warren, William White, and Matt Phillips will also be counted on to help push the Lions into the team conversation in 4A. But the reason so many around Georgia are so high on the Lions is the incoming quintet of freshmen hammers. Gabe Swann, Colt Mitchell, Danny Krutules, Ty Murray, and Jackson Spradlin come in with a lot of hype. Each has the ability to make an impact for the Lions … in a team that could finish very high in 4A if all of the pieces fall into place.

“We have a young team that has gotten good experience in the offseason. We are still building confidence and adjusting to high school wrestling, but the kids are taking it in stride and working on getting better each day. We are excited to compete in one of the most challenging regions in the state and have the opportunity to face top-quality programs. Our expectations are to make improvements upon last season’s finishes at both traditional and duals states. We look forward to competing hard this season and being in the conversation at the end of the year, Lord willing.”

— Coach Knight

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.

West Oak (SC)

Head Coach: Derek Strobel (2nd year at West Oak; 23rd year of Coaching)

Staff: Adam Duncan, Rick McGlaughlin

Usually when a team has to replace the level of talent that graduated for the Warriors a year ago, they take a step back and ready themselves to make a run again in a year or more. That isn’t the case with the 2022-23 edition of the West Oak Warriors. Last year’s 3A State Champs lose hammers AJ Dickerson, Jeremy Dobbs, and Dylan Burgess, but the quality that they return and the continued development of those ready to step in has to make West Oak one of the favorites to win it all again in 2022-23.

Let’s start with the 5 returning state point-getters. West Oak should be led by returning State Champions Teague Strobel and Damein Thaxton as well as State Placers Cael Davis, Landon Allen, and Jaxton Freeman. Strobel showed he is not just a South Carolina talent after making the podium at NHSCA’s in March. He is one of the top Juniors in the Southeast and amongst the top 113-120’s around. The above five alone could carry a team to a title and we are not even mentioning 2021 State Qualifier Grant Mobley or 2020 State Runner-up Josh Collins who will look to make an impact in their final season as well.

West Oak also has a ton of other hammers ready to step in and make their mark in 22-23 (if they can fight their way into a stacked lineup). Freshmen AJ De La Cruz and Peyton Durham will look lock down the 106 lb. spot and a bevy of sophomores will look to break into the lineup as well and make some noise. Keep an eye on Anthony Preoli, Ryan Addis, and Marcus Thaxton to have outstanding sophomore campaigns. The Warriors also return a ton of Juniors and Seniors including Carson Williams, Corbin Dickson, Jared Cruz, Lane Allen, Patrick Rholetter, Connor Stancil, Evan Ballew, and Ezequiel Burgos who will look to secure their spot in a very competitive lineup from top to bottom.

“Our team has put in the work this summer. We have guys that will push to be starters throughout the season. Our depth is where we needs it to be. We have a great schedule set up for the team. We are looking forward to getting on the mat and competing for a state title.”

— Coach Strobel

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.