In each of the past two seasons, White Knoll’s football team has advanced deep in the playoffs before playing a rematch against a region rival and losing.

Last season, the Timberwolves advanced to the 5A Division II semifinal before losing to region rival Irmo. The year before, White Knoll qualified for the 5A championship game and lost to Dutch Fork.

Playing in such a talented region in the regular season helps the team prepare for the playoffs, head coach Nick Pelham said. Now, the Timberwolves just need to break through and beat those teams when it matters most.

“ I do think that helps us. When we got to the playoffs last year and we were able to get away from teams in our region, we did not see the same level of physicality. We did not see the same level of people getting off the ball and really trying to move people up front. I think what separates our region is the play of the line of scrimmage,” Pelham said. “ Everybody really preaches toughness to their kids. So it is difficult. It’s challenging, but it does help us when we get out of region, when we get to the playoffs. Now, we’ve just got to finish it.”

The Timberwolves will look to perform better in the region season this year and earn a more favorable postseason position. The team went undefeated and became the first in conference to dethrone Dutch Fork in 2023, but went 1-4 in the conference last year.

White Knoll is confident in its ability to improve. The team returns a good group of players from last season, and Pelham said the school’s structure gives his team a chance to flourish.

“ I think we’ve gotten to the point in our program where we are expecting to be one of the last teams standing,” Pelham said. “ It’s going to take a lot of work. It’s going to take some fortune. It’s going to take staying healthy. But that’s been our goal overall. That’s what we’ve been talking about. We’re not shying away from those expectations. We talk about being a championship team and a championship program on a daily basis.”

White Knoll will have some new faces on the coaching staff guiding the kids this year. The team brought in a new offensive coordinator and added a few position coaches. Overall, Pelham is looking to get more involved with every part of the team and work with those coaches.

In the summer leading up to the season, the team’s experience allowed it to focus less on technique and more on situational football. This should help them down the stretch and in the playoffs when every play means more.

“ It’s really about doing the right things and taking care of the details,” Pelham said. “That’s how championship programs are made.”

Offense

Pelham is excited about the many returning players, but one big hole the team will be forced to fill is the starting quarterback slot. Landon Sharpe was a four-year starter and graduated last season. He leaves as one of the school’s most decorated quarterbacks and holds multiple program records.

Sharpe has large shoes to fill, but Pelham is confident in his players. Jhais McKiever and Kentrell Bonnette are two quarterbacks on the roster this season. Pelham complimented both of them for their poise and playmaking abilities.

Tiyon Fanning was another player on offense that Pelham praised. The rising junior received Division I interest and is projected to be one of the top halfbacks in the state. Pelham said he has a motor that only a few other players have, and he is eager to contribute in any way possible.

Fanning will run behind an offensive line led by Jeaden Johnson. He moved to center in the offseason and the results have been, so far, very promising.

Defense

Caleb Geronomi is back on defense full-time this season after playing most of 2024 as one of the starting receivers. Geronomi started his White Knoll career as a corner and was eager to move back for his senior season.

Pelham described Geronomi as one of the smartest players he has ever coached and noted he will continue playing a little receiver this season.

While Geronomi is one of the smartest, his teammate in the secondary, James Smith, is the smartest player Pelham has ever coached. Smith missed the entirety of last season after tearing his ACL, but is set for a big bounce-back this season.

“ He’s got the most football sense of any kid I’ve ever been around,” Pelham said. “We missed him last year when we didn’t have him. We had to move some people around, and there was a hole in our defense because we didn’t have James.”

Josue Esiki is another elite playmaker on defense. Pelham said he has no one true position and will be utilized in multiple spots to pressure opposing offenses.

“ I don’t know what the record is for how many different spots he could play, but we’re going to try to break that record this year,” Pelham said.

Pelham isn’t usually an advocate for playing guys at more than one position, but for his top talent like Esiki and Geronomi, their potential is too good to underutilize.

“ We didn’t want everybody to practice both ways, but we did take our really top-end talent and make sure they can,” Pelham said.

2025 White Knoll Schedule

Week 0 - Camden - Aug. 22

Week 1 - at Sumter - Aug. 29

Week 2 - vs Brookland-Cayce - Sept. 5

Week 4 - at Cane Bay - Sept. 19

Week 5 - at Fort Dorchester - Sept. 26

Week 6 - vs. River Bluff* - Oct. 3

Week 7 - vs. Dutch Fork* - Oct. 10

Week 8 - at Irmo* - Oct. 17

Week 9 - at Lexington* - Oct. 24

Week 10 - vs. Chapin* - Oct. 31

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