New beginnings are bringing on a new wave of excitement in Ninety Six as Matthew Bennett prepares to begin his first season at the helm of the Wildcat football program.
But, that’s not all that’s new. The Wildcats also added Offensive Coordinator and Strength Coach Ken Dockal, as well as Outside Linebackers Coach Matt Gibson.
They’ll lead a strong stable of returning seniors as the Wildcats will try to improve upon their 5-6 record from the 2022 season. All-State Honorable Mention Braden Mitchell(QB), as well as All-State Honorable Mention Ladarion Waldrop (WR/DB).
The Wildcats also added a new threat at receiver in Evan Adams over the summer, who is a back-to-back all-region basketball player for the Wildcats in addition to his prowess on the mound in baseball.
“(Adams) is very special,” said Bennett of his first-year receiver. “It’s not everyday you come across a guy who can excel in three sports like he does.”
Adams should have plenty of opportunities to catch passes from fellow senior Braden Mitchell, who Bennett also had high praise of.
“(Mitchell) has adapted well,” said Bennett of his team captain. “He’s a very smart and talented kid.”
Mitchell, Adams, and Waldrop are joined by Briant Witherspoon (RB), Jaiden Hackett (WR/LB), Bryson Childs (OL/DL), J’Nivous Oliver (RB/DL), and Jabarion Dunlap (WR/DB) to complete the strong core of seniors.
Ninety Six will open the season against the Emerald Vikings, who they will face off against for the 27th year in a row. The Wildcats lost to the Vikings in heartbreaking fashion in 2022, coming up one yard short of the endzone on a dime to Jaycob Gonzalez from Braden Mitchell to lose 35-28. The Wildcats will try to get their revenge on the Vikings before they dive head first into a region that includes the defending AA state champion Abbeville Panthers.
2023 Prediction: The Wildcats have a ceiling of 7-3, but a floor of 4-6. The Wildcats go 4-2 in region play to make the playoffs, but ultimately fall in the first round.