Wharton eyeing state title with a battle tested team

The Wildcats are coming off a 9-3 season and aiming for a deep playoff run

TAMPA, FLORIDA – Facing off against a state runner-up team in the spring will give you a good indication of where your club is at on the state level.

That’s exactly what the Wharton Wildcats did when they faced Tampa Bay Tech in spring action and head coach Mike Williams wanted to see his team in action against one of the best. Tampa Bay ended up knocking off Wharton 42-6 in the playoffs last season, thus ending what was a good post-season run with wins versus Mitchell and Lehigh Acres.

Wharton head coach Mike Williams / Photo courtesy of Wharton Football

Now Wharton wants to be the program making the run to the state championship like Tampa Bay did just over a year ago. The Titans ended up losing in the Class 7A state championship game versus St. Thomas Aquinas and getting to gauge themselves a strong program was just what the doctor ordered.

“We saw a lot of the progress of our off season program show up,” Williams said. “Competing against a state championship caliber program like Tampa Bay Tech gives you a good feel for where you are after the spring.”

The Wildcats will face eight 2021 playoff teams in the regular season  / Photo by Karl Greeson

Keeping up with the Joneses is the name of the game these days when it comes to high school football players coming and going from school to school. Williams knows all too well about players exiting and entering when it comes to the high school level, as the Wildcats have seen their share.

One big name transfer that just announced his intention to join Wharton for the 2022 season is running back Stacy Gage, who played the last couple of seasons at IMG Academy. Gage, who has offers from major Division I schools like Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio State and the University of Southern California, will be a big-time impact player along with a slew of others.

Back home! @CoachLikeMike @WhartonHighFB pic.twitter.com/uQNtJMRHek

— Stacy Gage (@3stacygage) July 19, 2022

“The 813 Transfer Portal is real, and we have lost some good players to other programs,” Williams said. “We have also had some good additions join us. Opinions about transfers differ across the spectrum, but everyone has them, some are just better than others.”

The returning talent includes a quagmire at the quarterback position with several players vying for the starting spot. Williams points to Chamberlain transfer Noah Bryant (509 passing yards, six touchdowns) as a player to watch for. He will battle at quarterback with Carrollwood Day School transfer Jackson Jensen (1,450 yards, 11 touchdowns in 2021) and Tampa Catholic transfer Luke Sather (345 yards, three touchdowns in 2021).

The defense should be one of the top units in the New Tampa region, with defensive line dynamo Booker Pickett, who has offers from Florida State, Miami (FL), Michigan and Tennessee. Linebackers Cam Campbell, Tyler Green and defensive tackle RJ McCollough round out what will be a strong front seven.

Wharton linebacker Cam Campbell / Photo by Karl Greeson

“We have returning talent, but I’m excited about our 2024 kids that will get a chance to really contribute to the cause and some new additions,” Williams added.

When you take a quick look at Wharton’s 2022 slate of games, you know quickly that there’s no easy road towards getting to the postseason. The Wildcats will start off the season at home versus 2021 Class 6A state champion Jesuit before jumping into a schedule on which eight of the 10 teams went to the playoffs in 2021 (Bloomingdale, Freedom did not make the playoffs).

Wharton’s 2022 reg / Graphic courtesy of Wharton Football

“Take the next overall steps as a program on and off the field and compete for the state championship,” Williams added. “ Everything we get we will have earned.”

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.