Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic Team Previews - Dunwoody

Head coach Michael Nash had coached at Dunwoody from 2015 until taking the Chattahoochee County job last season which cleared the way for the promotion of Matthew Schmitz to the head coaching spot. Schmitz coached under Nash, serving as his defensive coordinator for the past three seasons and wants to advance the Wildcats to the program’s third-straight playoff appearance for the first time since 1994.

Mascot: Wildcats

County: DeKalb

Head Coach: Matthew Schmitz

Coach’s School Record: 0-0

Coach’s Overall Record: 0-0

2024 Record: 4-7

2024 Region Record: 3-4

2024 Region Rank: 4th

2024 Playoff Finish: First Round (L 58-35, Hughes)

Overall School Record: 282-266-3

State Championships: 1993 (2A)

Returning Offensive Starters: OL Grant Pearch, OL Luke Mitchell, OL Jace Gonzalez-Rubio, RB Cam Irastorza, WR/DB Antonio Ferebee, WR/DB Omari James, TE Charlie Survilas

Returning Defensive Starters: DL Rhett Hesprich, DL Cole Camp, LB Jake Greenfield, DB Chase Casey, Declan Gallagher, Andrew Ainsworth, DE Darius Hall, LB Drew Gust

Returning Kickers: K Christian Lee, P Jude Torjak

Offensive Formation: Multiple

Defensive Formation: 4-2-5

School Enrollment: 2,278

Since winning the program’s only state championship in 1993, the Wildcats have only been to the playoffs eight times with 2008’s quarterfinals appearance as the most-recent season with multiple playoff victories and one season prior to the team’s last playoff victory in the first round in the 2009 Class 3A bracket.

Schmitz enters a head coaching job looking to replace nearly 90% of the offense from last season, which was one of the best in school history. The heart of that team was senior quarterback Matt Pearch, who was 244-of-384 passing for 2,890 yards and 31 touchdowns. Also gone are his two favorite targets – Porter Allison and Danny Boden – who combined for 22 touchdown receptions.

However, the offensive line will be a strength and built around Grant Pearch, Luke Mitchell and Jace Gonzalez-Rubio. The line will clear holes for running back Cam Irastorza, who saw playing time as a junior last season.

The defensive side of the ball is arguably the deepest for the Wildcats. Returning are defensive linemen Rhett Hesprich and Cole Camp, flanked by defensive end Darius Hall. Linebackers Jake Greenfield and Drew Gust will be backed by defensive back Chase Casey and strong safety Declan Gallagher.

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