High school football preview: York Cougars

Basics

Coach: Bobby Carroll, fifth year

Career record: 92-30

Last year: 12-3, 4-2 in Region 3-4A; lost to Spartanburg 49-28 in the 4A Division II state championship game

Assistant coaches: Knox Baggett, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks; Grady Baggett, wide receivers; Stephen Burris, wide receivers; John Moorefield, offensive line; Joey Moore, offensive line; David Prince, defensive coordinator/defensive line; Chad Burgess, safeties; Shawn Woodard, cornerbacks; Tim Boyd, outside linebackers; Zach Snyder, defensive line.

Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense

Twitter account: @YorkCougars

Key players: Sr. DE Deivonne Chalk, Sr. LB Nick Sturgill, Jr. ATH Wally Wilmore, Jr. WR Shandon Cobb, Sr. RB Brandon Garvin, Jr. RB Paul Moore, Jr. RB Tyquan McCray, Sr. OL Ryan Enniss, Jr. OL Danny Warren, Sr. OL Caleb Clayton, Sr. WR Preston Robinson, Sr. LB Jamar Griffin, Sr. DL Joe Gill.

York reached the 4A Division II state final last December, falling to a Spartanburg freight train, but it was a big leap for a program that hadn’t played for a state title in nearly 30 years. This year, the Cougars have to replace the quarterback position and several talented receivers, but have a strong squad again.

The quarterback situation will be monitored closely, with Cameron McKinney getting the first shot to start. Standout junior athlete Wally Wilmore will get opportunities as well.

“Whoever plays best will be back there,” said Carroll. “But there will be some packages where we have some different quarterbacks back there.”

Ke’trael Lytle and Preston Robinson had good summers for York and look poised to jump into prime receiving positions, as well as Shandon Cobb, who caught 20 passes in four playoff games, including a touchdown bomb in the state final loss, after switching to offense from defensive back last year.

“There’s been some surprises and we’re looking forward to those kids making some plays,” said Carroll.

York has its front four back on defense, led by edge-rushing senior Deivonne Chalk, a college prospect, and squat defensive tackle Joe Gill, a senior who gums up opposing offenses from the middle of the line. The linebackers and safeties are mobile and aggressive, led by Nick Sturgill and Jamar Griffin. The secondary is where York has some answers to find with several sophomores playing there; Wilmore will see time in the defensive backfield.

But Carroll has no doubts that this group can continue the program’s success that was fully ingested by last year’s seniors, the first class to do all four years under the current coach.

Schedule

Aug. 21 at Sumter

Aug. 28 Irmo

Sept. 4 at South Pointe

Sept. 11 Chester

Sept. 18 at Boiling Springs

Sept. 25 Rock Hill*

Oct. 2 Northwestern*

Oct. 9 at Gaffney*

Oct. 16 at Nation Ford*

Oct. 23 Fort Mill*

Oct. 30 Open

Nov. 6 at Clover*

*Region 3-4A game

This story was originally published August 20, 2015 at 7:45 AM with the headline "High school football preview: York Cougars."