White Knoll is under new leadership in 2026. 

After five seasons with the team, head coach Nick Pelham resigned to take another job. Filling his shoes is former Chester coach Victor Floyd. 

Floyd is hoping to build off the foundation Pelham laid. White Knoll has become one of the most consistent programs in the area, making deep playoff runs in each of the past three seasons. 

“Coach Pelham’s staff has done a good job of establishing winning and tradition,” Floyd said. “It was definitely headed the right way before I took over. To have an opportunity to take over a program that was on the rise, I thought it was a great opportunity for me.”

Only two teams have kept White Knoll from a state championship in that window, Dutch Fork and Irmo. Irmo knocked the Timberwolves out of the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. In 2023, White Knoll made it to the state title game and lost a close one to Dutch Fork. 

With Irmo moved out of the region and placed in 4A, the Timberwolves won’t have to worry about that matchup this season. That doesn’t mean White Knoll won’t play plenty of tough teams. 

The Timberwolves still have to play Dutch Fork in the regular season. The two teams are also back in the same playoff bracket, since the 5A championships are no longer split. 

White Knoll also plays talented teams such as A.C. Flora, Sumter and North Augusta. 

“Overall schedule strength, we have one of the better ones,” Floyd said. “I think you have to play the best in order to get there.”

Floyd is not putting a win total goal on the team this season. With significant roster turnover, he just wants to see the team improve each week. 

“If we grow the way I think we will over the preseason and non-region, I think we'll be able to compete,” he said.   

Players to watch 

White Knoll is a team with a lot of new faces on the field. The Timberwolves will trot out around 18 new starters this season, but fortunately many of them have playing experience. 

Kentrell Bonnette will play all over the field as an athlete. He will get some run at tight end, receiver, h-back, running back and quarterback. His versatility is a weapon the team will utilize. 

Brayden Cress is going into his first season as the varsity team’s starting quarterback. He will be protected by an offensive line led by returning starter Brayden Weston.

White Knoll will use h-back concepts to their advantage. Besides Bonnette, Kirkland Day and Shawn Lloyd will play the position for the Timberwolves. 

Other skill guys to watch for include receiver Jonathan Keith, running back Christian Chisolm, receiver Christian Hickman and receiver Tyler Brown. 

Defensively, the team will rely a lot on two-way players. Despite being a 5A school, the Timberwolves want their best playmaker on the field as often as possible. 

Keith, Chisholm, Hickman and Brown also play in the defensive secondary. 

Senior linebacker Jah'Mauri Davis is a leader of that unit. He’ll play alongside sophomore Adrian Ellsworth. Floyd said Ellsworth is a rising star and that everyone should remember the name. 

Cyrus Evans and Evan Pierce are also key linebackers for the team. 

On the front lines, Jhovani Mpumbu is another player Floyd expects big things from. 

Players to watch 

Week 0 - Aug. 21 - at A.C. Flora

Week 1 - Aug. 28 - at Sumter

Week 2 - Sept. 4 - vs. TL Hanna

Week 3 - Sept. 11 - vs. North Augusta

Week 4 - Sept. 18 - at Goose Creek

Week 5 - Sept. 25 - BYE

Week 6 - Oct. 2 - vs. Ridge View

Week 7 - Oct. 9 - vs. Lexington*

Week 8 - Oct. 16 - vs. Chapin*

Week 9 - Oct. 23 - at River Bluff*

Week 10 - Oct. 30 - at Dutch Fork*

Note: (*) indicates a game against a region opponent