Etowah High

Competition Cheer
Head Coach Kristen Morris

We are ecstatic to announce that the Etowah competition cheer team is ready to take the mat this fall after a three-year hiatus. The focus for the 2021 season is to win our region and head to state. This new and fresh team is young, and ready to grow and push themselves to show the skills they possess. The team is stacked with incredible talent, with more than half the team members involved in all-star cheer squads presently or in the past, along with multiple years on the sideline.

Although the team is young, with no seniors, leadership skills are clearly present within every member. This season, the team will be led by junior Blake Nash and sophomore Morgan Bradley. Nash has participated in six years of all-star cheer and five years of sideline cheer. She leads the team with confidence and knowledge, and rallies her teammates to train their best, through encouragement and positivity. Bradley is a strong underclassman who understands multiple cheer skills, allowing her leadership to shine, with a focus on stunting. Bradley is beginning her ninth year with all-star cheer and sixth year with sideline cheer.

With so much talent between all the young athletes, watch out for freshmen Kayla Barnes and Avery Martin, sophomores Aaliya Colon, Sophia Roberts and Haley Gill, and juniors Ashleigh Holton, Heidi Mohrmann and Devyn Damiano. These young women always come in with high energy, eagerness to excel, and willingness to push themselves. Three sets of sister duos join our team this season: Mackenzie and Milana Woodruff, Grace and Mattie Truan, and Summer and Sidney Smith.

Never known to shy away from building an exciting and difficult routine, this squad will be a force to reckon with during competitions this season. Our first competition is Sept. 11. We would love for the community to come out and support us at our first in-county competition on Oct. 2 at Cherokee High.

Cross-Country
Head Coach Garret Hurlbert

The expectations for the 2021 season are high, after one of the most successful seasons in school history: the girls team won county, region, and finished fifth at state, and the boys finished second at county, third at region, and 15th at state. The coaches are extremely excited to see the teams compete, and are hoping to see Etowah’s first-ever team podium at state this year.

The boys’ team is led by senior captains Matthew Hall and Ryan Berwald; Makenna Calbert, Natalie Calbert and Meg Lance lead the girls. All five captains are five-year program (XC and track) participants, and have shown great leadership while running for Etowah. Makenna is the top returning girl, and is the reigning region champion and top-10 finisher at state. We’re hoping to see her reach some historic times this season by breaking 18 minutes, which has been done only once in Etowah history. Dru Moore (junior), coming off an amazing track season (placed at state in the 1600-meters and 3200-meters as a sophomore), is the top returning runner for the boys and, like Makenna, we are hoping to see some historic times this season, cracking the 16-minute mark, which has been done five times previously in Etowah history, and only once by a junior.

The season began with a 2-mile stage race on Aug. 14 and the first 5K of the year on Aug. 21. The Cherokee County championship will be Oct. 9 at Boling Park. The region championship will be Oct. 23 at Boling Park, and the GHSA state championships will be held at Carrollton High School, Nov. 5-6.

The class of 2022 seniors (Matthew Hall, Ryan Berwald, Tyler Stivers, Taylor Pemantell, Makenna Calbert, Natalie Calbert, Meg Lance and Lauren Holtzhower) lead with great integrity. The coaching staff is beyond proud of this group; it’s been amazing watching them evolve through the years. They stuck it out through the tough times, and are enjoying the fruits of their hard work. The class of 2022 forever will be remembered as one of the best to come through Etowah.

Flag Football
Coach TBA

The 2020 flag football team had five graduating seniors, leaving room for returners to fill the big shoes of Maggie Bradley, Kali Terza, McKenzie Mcmullen and two senior quarterbacks: Aliyah Salame and Lauren Ash. The graduating seniors were the epitome of well-rounded multi-sport athletes who thrived on the field and in the classroom. Rising stars include junior Mia Williams, sophomore Kyra Spain, senior Trice Allen and senior Chloe Cook. All are standout athletes in other sports, like track, lacrosse and softball. Their speed, talent, grit and work ethic will play a major role in the upcoming year, as the season extends outside the county, and into Forsyth County. Their experience will provide leadership as the team rebuilds with fresh new faces.

Football
Head Coach Matt Kemper

The 2021 Etowah Eagles have been working extremely hard throughout the winter and spring, after not having that opportunity in 2020. While the team is still young, there is a great deal of enthusiasm and strong leadership developing. The defense again should be the strength of the team, with the defensive front being anchored by all-region performer and three-year starter Jaden Maddox at defensive end. He will be joined by Ethan Jones, Ryan Lee, Billy Hendrix and Aldin Datis. The back end will be less experienced, after the graduation of Lane Cantrell, Trevor Fair and Austin Skinner. Alex Kirby, Will Pailthorpe, Jesse McDonald and newcomer Josh Harding will look to fill the linebacking spots, while Colin Sherrer and Frank Mosley have experience in the secondary.

The offense gained valuable experience last season, and the offensive line returns sophomore Tate Nelms, who was an all-region player in 2020 as a freshman. Kam McQuaid also saw playing time in 2020 on the line. The running backs should be led by Elijah Washington, who started games at the end of last year as a freshman, and Luis Martinez, who will be relied upon to contribute in the backfield. The receiving corps may be one of the most inexperienced units, and shows great potential with DJ Bailey, Vinnie Pacini, Mason Mancini, Garrett Carson and Dylan Catton all expected to see significant playing time. Competing to be the signal caller will be Braden Bohannon and Dawson Heck, both of whom would be first-year starters at quarterback.

The Eagles will have their work cut out for them, as Region 5 AAAAAAA is as strong as any in the state, with perennial powers Milton, Roswell, Cherokee, Alpharetta and crosstown rival Woodstock. The nonregion schedule also includes some very good Cherokee County neighbors, Creekview and River Ridge, along with some Forsyth County opponents, North Forsyth and Forsyth Central, as well as a powerhouse North Cobb team.

Softball
Head Coach Victoria Carter

After a very successful 2020 campaign that saw Etowah softball finish in the Elite 8, Coach Victoria Carter will be looking to replace several seniors who are moving on to play softball at the Division 1 level. This year’s team will rely on a strong infield nucleus centered around senior shortstop Brionna Condon and senior Molly Frost at second base, as well as two all-region outfielders in, seniors Kiersten James and Lily Hovanec. In support of these individuals, the Lady Eagles have a nice mix of underclassmen who contributed significantly to the success of last year’s season. Taking over for Georgia Tech signee Kinsey Norton on the mound will be junior Sydney Baker, a developing right-hander who gained significant experience last season and continues to show improvement. While the team is very young, there is a lot of talent, and the entire team and coaching staff are working hard to ensure that this year continues the string of successful seasons enjoyed by the Etowah Lady Eagles.

Volleyball
Head Coach Bryan Jones

This season, we are looking forward to more of a “normal” season than we had in 2020. We will be returning all but two starters from the 2020 team, including several key players: Sydney Bray, 2020 first-team all-state setter and right-side hitter; Madeleine Mueller, outside hitter; Danielle LaDuca, outside hitter; Elani Ratchkovska, middle blocker; and Allie Sierra and Emily Light, libero/defensive specialists. We will be looking to Madison Kutschke and Reese Patterson to fill the setter role this season. Our squad contains three seniors, eight juniors and two sophomores.

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Woodstock High

Competition Cheer
Head Coach Helen Lane

Our talented team is led by our five amazing seniors: Madison Coleman, Mattie Graison Earnest, Mikayla Foust, Emily Hunter and Trell Toombs. These young women have helped the team break school records since their freshman year, and our goal is to continue this tradition. Their positive attitudes and encouraging leadership styles are teaching our younger athletes how consistency, teamwork, positivity and determination can help reach individual and team goals.

Our athletes worked hard this summer to prepare for a highly competitive season that includes six invitationals, with home competition on Oct. 30. Region, sectionals and state will follow. Being the head coach of the Woodstock cheerleading program is a true honor, and I am excited to see what our amazing team accomplishes this season.

Cross-Country
Head Coach Wakely Louis

We are looking forward to an exciting cross-country season. Our girls qualified for state last year and, hopefully, we can repeat that this year. The girls’ team should be competitive this year, with our juniors and seniors returning. Team leaders are Samantha Burmeister, Lilly Bailey, Caroline Olvin, Sophie Weissel and Anna Wadsworth.

Our boys came up short by a few points and did not make an appearance at state last year. Joseph Mines was the only athlete to make it to state. The boys have a chance to make an appearance at state this year, under the leadership of Dillon Watson, Joseph Mines, Jafari McEachron and Kevin Hackett.

We will focus on core workouts to strengthen all the muscles, to help improve running form, cut down injuries and boost their overall athletic performance. We want to continue to work hard, but, to accomplish that, we must stay healthy.

Flag Football
Head Coach Mason Wren

After reaching the Sweet 16 in its inaugural 2020 GHSA season, the Woodstock flag football team is looking to continue its success in the 2021 season. The Wolverines welcome Blessed Trinity into Area 4 for 6A/7A, along with Cherokee, Creekview, Etowah, River Ridge and Sequoyah. The Wolverines will lean heavily on returning starters and senior leaders Reece Morrish and Clara Welch. Tryouts take place Sept. 20. The Wolverines will open their season against Creekview at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at Cherokee High.

Football
Head Coach Troy Hoff

The 2021 Woodstock Wolverines have handled many changes this offseason as they work toward a return to the GHSA playoffs. Troy Hoff was named the new head coach in March, in addition to other coaching changes on the staff. Woodstock plays in the competitive Region 5 AAAAAAA. The Wolverines have a challenging nonregion schedule, and opened their season Aug. 20 at the Den against Sequoyah.

The 2021 team is young and inexperienced, with many players competing for playing time. Returning starters on offense include junior quarterback Dan Comeau and a pair of offensive linemen in, junior Tyler Douthit (all-region) and senior JT Hunter. The defense will be led by a pair of all-region linebackers: senior Preston Lawrence and junior Carson Gray.

Players and coaches had a productive offseason and continue to put a tremendous amount of work into new training protocols and schematic changes. The growth and development of the 2021 team will depend on the level of improvement each week throughout the season. Our goal is to become a competitive program where the teams continually have a chance to win games in the fourth quarter and compete in the GHSA state playoffs.

Softball
Head Coach Alex Gray

The 2021 season is promising. The varsity is returning seven starters from last year, with several new faces in the lineup to enhance our competitive edge. This will be one of the most talented groups of young women this program has seen in a while. Mixed with five seniors who have been three-year starters, our lineup will be rounded out with several talented players competing for playing time.

Our defense is loaded with veteran leadership, and I have high expectations for them. The outfield is led by seniors Brooklyn McNeese and Maddie Carruthers, whose defensive abilities are second to none. The infield will be led by seniors Hannah Forbes and Molly Wiggins (both 2020 first-team all-region), and juniors Kacie Wiggins and Mak Levine. Brooke Hodges, a 2020 freshman starter, will see time in the infield and outfield; we are excited about her growth in the offseason. In the circle, Wiggins and Gracie Menard will lead the charge, with help from junior Savannah Read. New additions include freshmen Abby Gillis and Alyssa Kendall. Victoria Tunon returns from offseason knee surgery. We can’t wait to have her leadership on the field.

Our senior class is a special group, and I look forward to watching them lead this program back to the playoffs this year. Overall, our team is composed of remarkable young women, and they are a pleasure to coach.

Volleyball
Head Coach Kelly Audia

The 2020 season, as it was, became a strong indicator of improvement on the Woodstock sub-varsity levels, but last year’s senior group made definite sacrifices for this program moving forward.

While the 2020 team struggled to win on the varsity level, last year’s seniors were a tremendous influence on the underclassmen. Their attitude and perseverance will be a part of the returning squad’s growth and attitude going forward. Neva Clark, Lauren DeSanctis, Kenzie Lamberg and Brooke Loan long will be remembered for their contributions.

This year’s team will continue to build for the future and compete more consistently than in prior years. The volleyball play and the work ethic are solidly improving, and the team is eager to begin.

Returning key varsity players consist of senior Allison Mascitti (libero/defensive specialist), juniors Gracie Cassidy (middle blocker), Alexa Travis (outside hitter), Peyton White and Payton Kuhn (setters), sophomores Lola Burdick (outside hitter/right side) and Ava Tieman (libero/defensive specialist). Many newcomers will vie for positions early in the year.