The White Knoll Timberwolves made a surprise run to a region title and appearance in the state championship game during the 2023 season. Heading into 2024, the team will look to repeat their success and win the state championship this time.

White Knoll dethroned local powerhouse Dutch Fork for the region title, but the Silver Foxes got the last laugh after beating the Timberwolves in the state championship game 21-6, ending White Knoll’s perfect season.

The Timberwolves lost critical pieces from last season’s squad, but there are plenty of returning players to be optimistic about this season.

Offense

Returning under center is quarterback Landon Sharpe. He is entering his fourth and final year as the team’s starter after taking over as just a freshman.

Last season was Sharpe’s best. He recorded well over 2,500 passing yards and threw for 30 touchdowns to lead the Timberwolves to their best single season in program history. His impact was also felt in the run game where he recorded over 300 yards and six touchdowns.

Behind Sharpe in the backfield will be sophomore running back Tiyon Fanning. He emerged as the team’s lead back as a freshman, finishing the year with almost 1,000 yards on the ground.

The wide receiver group is one position where White Knoll is seeing a lot of turnover. Four of the team’s top five receivers from 2023 are gone. The one returner is C.J. Earl, who recorded over 600 yards and eight touchdowns from almost 50 receptions.

Other returning pass catchers from last season include Caleb Geronomi and Devin Geronomi. Both caught passes but spent most of their time on the defensive side of the ball. The team has plenty of receivers listed on its roster to find a strong unit this year.

Defense and Special Teams

The White Knoll defense will look fairly different this year with many key pieces graduating. The team lost three of its top five leading tacklers and three of its top four sack-getters.

The Geronomi duo is back and will be crucial in White Knoll’s pass defense. Caleb is a junior and led the team in interceptions last season. He recorded five pass deflections, two forced fumbles and even blocked a field goal.

Devin is a senior. He is committed to continuing his football career at Richmond after recording 56 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, eight pass breakups, an interception and two blocked kicks.

Returning on the front seven is senior defensive end Lincoln Ilungampumbu. He led White Knoll over 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks last season. He had over 70 total tackles and averaged about five per contest.

Lined up behind him will be linebacker Connor Burgess. Burgess played every game for the team last season and had the second-most tackles with over 80.

The team also returns its kicker Jordy Aguilera. He held both kickoff and field goal kicking duties for the team as a freshman. He averaged over 40 yards per kickoff and finished the year making over 85 percent of his kicks.

Schedule 

Week 0 - at Camden - Aug. 24

Week 1 - vs. Sumter - Aug. 30

Week 2 - at Brookland-Cayce - Sept. 6

Week 4 - vs. Cane Bay - Sept. 20

Week 5 - vs. Fort Dorchester - Sept. 27 

Week 6 - at River Bluff - Oct. 4

Week 7 - at Dutch Fork - Oct. 11

Week 8 - vs. Irmo - Oct. 18

Week 9 - vs. Lexington - Oct. 25

Week 10 - at Chapin - Nov. 1