Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic Team Previews -- Callaway

Pete Wiggins will be looking to get the Cavaliers deeper into the postseason with returning all-region quarterback Blake Harrington. Harrington is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the state and will play his final season with the Cavaliers in 2025. Wiggins has been at the helm for Callaway since 2005, the only year the Cavaliers have not made the playoffs under his coaching. In totality, Callaway has won 11 region titles (2008-09, 2012-13, 2015-16, 2019-20, 2022-24) under Wiggins, and won the program’s first-ever state title in 2020.

Callaway has won nine or more games each season since 2015 under head coach Pete Wiggins. The Cavaliers have won three-consecutive region titles and have been a perennial contender in 2A in the Wiggins era. Wiggins has only missed the playoffs one time during his tenure with Callaway, and that was during his first season in 2005. Since then, the Cavaliers have made it to the playoffs 19-consecutive seasons.

In 2025, Callaway will return their senior signal caller, Blake Harrington, who had a productive season for the Cavaliers in 2024, finishing with 1,694 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. He was also a terror on the ground, rushing for 931 yards and nine touchdowns. Harrington will be throwing the ball to first-team all-region selection Kaiden James who will jump into a bigger role in 2025 following a stock-rising sophomore campaign. The Cavaliers also have a formidable tight-end duo that is exceptional at pass blocking and catching the ball in Nizerick Houston and Breshun Hall, who both made all-region teams in 2024.

On defense, LB Xae Anderson, who was the  Region 2-2A Defensive Player of the Year, will return. The South Alabama-commit was also an all-region first-team selection. Anderson is one of the hardest hitting linebackers you will find and is one of the best read and react players in the state. Alongside Anderson will be Tyrone Fitter, Josiah Garett, and Hudson Norris on the defensive line which will make it tough for opposing offenses to run against.

With Harrington coming back along with a good share of the playmakers from a season ago, the Cavaliers should b e right back in the playoffs as a team that could make some noise when they get going.

Mascot: Cavaliers

County: Troup

Head Coach: Pete Wiggins (2005-25)

Coach’s School Record: 187-61

Coach’s Overall Record: 187-61

2024 Record: 9-3

2024 Region Rank: 1st

2024 Playoff Finish: Second Round (L 33-35, Stephens County)

Overall School Record: 233-109-1 (1996-2024)

State Championships: 2020 (2A)

Key Returning Offensive Starters: QB Blake Harrington

Key Returning Defensive Starters: LB Xae Anderson, DL/OL Tyrone Fitten

Returning Kickers: K Noah Hart

Offensive Formation: Spread

Defensive Formation: 4-3

School Enrollment: 939

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