Football preview: No. 16 Wharton

Wharton

At a glance

Coach: Mike Williams

Class: 7A, District 10

Last season: 7-2, lost in region quarterfinals

Key players: ATH Jason Cornwall, Sr.; OLB Daveon Crouch, Sr.; S Jairon Dorsey, Sr.; LB Henry Griffith, Sr.; DB Dijon Johnson, Jr.; RB Keith Morris, Sr.; DE Booker Pickett, Jr., Soph.; DT Trey Robinson III, Sr.; 

Schedule

Aug. 27 vs. Freedom, 7:30

Sept. 3 at Jesuit, 7:30

Sept. 10 vs. Lennard, 7:30

Sept. 17 at Wiregrass Ranch, 7:30

Sept. 24 vs. Jefferson, 7:30

Oct. 1 Bye

Oct. 8 at Plant, 7:30

Oct. 15 at Strawberry Crest, 7:30

Oct. 22 vs. Tampa Bay Tech, 7:30

Oct. 29 vs. Armwood, 7:30

Nov. 5 at Sickles, 7:30

Outlook

Mike Williams, the former Plant and USC standout who was a first-round NFL draft selection, left Middleton to take over the Wildcats last season. His debut at Wharton was a successful one. The Wildcats went 7-2, their best record since 2015. To repeat that performance, Wharton will have to get past some more formidable opponents. The Wildcats moved down to Class 7A and now are in a district that includes Armwood, Tampa Bay Tech and Wiregrass Ranch. That’s the only thing new this offseason. Wharton also had turf field installed. Despite the tougher schedule, Wharton will still compete for a playoff spot by relying on a defense that recorded three shutouts and allowed just 91 points last season. Nearly every major contributor from that unit returns, including linebacker Daveon Crouch, a Boston College commit, and defensive end Booker Pickett Jr.,, who had 67 tackles and eight sacks as a freshman a year ago.