AHS Football Program 2025 by Steve Kelleher

Welcome to AHS

Wildcats Coaching

Coach Kevin Saunders brings over 40 years of high school football coaching experience spanning Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia. Georgia High School Football Daily+2Barrow County School System+2 (https://www.georgiahighschoolfootballdaily. com/main-news/new-apalachee-coach-explains-some-of-hisrebuilding-tools?utm_source=chatgpt.com) He specializes in turning around programs in challenging situations and building teams from the ground up. AJC+1 (https://www.ajc.com/sports/ high-school/apalachee-hires-football-coach-known-for-rebuilding-programs/WWNQUIPEHNBKPCYOVNVOAYROLU/?utm_ source=chatgpt.com)

Career Highlights & Coaching Record

• O verall head coaching record (as of 2024): 191-113-2. Barrow County School System+2Barrow County School System+2 (https:// www.barrow.k12.ga.us/schools/ahs/people/2494741/kevin-saunders?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

• 2011 Virginia State Championship (while at Gretna High School). Georgia High School Football Daily+2AJC+2 (https://www. georgiahighschoolfootballdaily.com/main-news/apalacheehires-head-coach-known-for-rebuilding-programs?utm_ source=chatgpt.com)

• K nown for significant turnarounds:

• At Gilmer High School in Georgia: inherited a long losing streak (31 games) and led the team to a 4 - 6 record in his first season. AJC+2Score Atlanta+2 (https://www.ajc.com/sports/high-school/ apalachee-hires-football-coach-known-for-rebuilding-programs/ WWNQUIPEHNBKPCYOVNVOAYROLU/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

• At Pebblebrook High School: improved performance, securing playoff berths in a program that had struggled in prior seasons.

• Recognitions: multiple Coach of the Year honors.

Recent Appointment

In March 2025, Kevin Saunders was selected by the Barrow County Board of Education to become the Head Football Coach at Apalachee High School, beginning in the 2025 -2026 school year. He will also teach Physical Education.

Philosophy & Approach

• Focuses on setting high standards in all aspects: physical, mental, and emotional. He emphasizes accountability, consistent work ethic, and building strength—both on and off the field.

• Believes in improving programs that many others consider beyond hope. He often takes roles where previous performance has been very poor, sees that as motivation.

Wildcats Coaching

Football Coaching Staff

Kevin Saunders Head Coach

Will Hardesty Offensive Coordinator

Kyle Hutchison Tight Ends

John Cano Offensive Line

Chuck Kenyon Defensive Coordinator

Mike DeSantis

Running Backs

B.K. Wilkinson Cornerbacks

Jordan Rushing Director Football Operations

Joc Pledger Outside Linebackers

George Murray II

Wide Receivers

John Cano

Coach Cano is beginning his 3rd year of teaching and coaching, as well as his first year at Apalachee high school. Coach cano attended Brunswick High School in Brunswick, Georgia. He was a 2 time All-region offensive lineman and a 3 time All-region wrestler as well as a 3rd place finisher in the state tournament. Coach Cano played college football at Reinhardt University where he receied his bachelor degree in Biology Education and was a 4 time 1st team All-conference offensive lineman and a 2 time 1st team All American Offensive Lineman. He began his teaching and coaching career at Brunswick High School, where he was the Offensive Line coach and helped lead the team to 2 state playoff runs and one region championships. He also coached wrestling in the two years and has had three state champions and 6 state placers. Coach Cano moved to Apalachee this year to teach science and work as the offensive line coach and wrestling coach. Coach Cano is engaged to Gabriella Lee. Do not do bio on Qua Jones or Tre Pinkney.

Joc Pledger

Coach Pledger is in his second-year coaching at Apalachee High School and his first year working on the defensive side of the ball as the safeties coach. A native of Monroe, Georgia, he is an alumnus of Walnut Grove High School, where he played both football and baseball. He continued his athletic and academic career at Brevard College, competing in both sports at the collegiate level.

During his time there, he earned two degrees and was honored as a Division III All-American. Coach Pledger brings passion, discipline, and a student-athlete mindset to the program, committed to developing not only skilled safeties but also strong, responsible young men both on and off the field.

Corporate Sponsors

TOP CAT

Cable East

Barrow County Health Department

GEC Contractors

Georgia Spa Company

High Street Winder Insurance Center

Northeast Georgia Physicians Group

Chick-fil-A

SUPER CAT

Classic City Orthodontics

Dairy Queen Grill and Chill

Harrison Poultry/Wayne Sanderson

Barrow Farm Bureau

Happy Tails Veterinary Care

Piedmont Athens Regional

Nelson Sanders Photography Bank OZK

First American Bank and Trust

Akins Ford

Zaxbys

Salyer Orthodontics

AII-County Electric

POWER CAT

Barberitos

Dunkin Donuts

Southeast Culvert

NAVY LEVEL

SmileForever Orthodontics

Hill’s Ace Hardware

Northeast Sales Distribution

Heyward Allen Cadillac, GMC, Toyota

Charles Black Construction

Jackson EMC

Newell Orthodontics

Apalachee RV Center

Renasant Bank

Striplings General Store

Watertight Roofing Services

Star Nutrition of Bethlehem

Gardner Law Firm

T&S Plumbing

SouthState Bank

Syensqo

2025 AHS

Wildcats

2025 JV Wildcats

Good Luck Wildcats!

Junior Varsity

Class of 2026

Seniors

#4 Sharese McCowan

#17 Branden Moore #16 Isaiah Albright #11 Kobe Brown

#18 Jason Kitchen #21 Kevaughn Blaise

#29 Gage Pacesky #28 Jadon Williams #27 Jayden Nnamdi

#30 Cameron Wilson #32 Ryan Hansen #40 David Mah #39 Christopher Bathol #33 David Jean Juste

#41 Anthony Robinson #47 Kevin Walston #70 Sean Bradley #63 Isaac Holt #59 Landon Culver

Apalachee WilDcats

Juniors

#01 Colin Eishen

#5 Burke McGowan #3 George Murray

#2 Kaiden Ne Smith

#7 Lamont Daniel #19 Clay Bell

#36 Allen Norton #34 Gunner Kearns #20 Marquis Williams

#37 Jeremiah Oliver #48 Raymichael Williams

#53 Adam Dukuly #52 Eijah Xiong

#50 Keenan Benjamin

#54 Elisha Sarpong #55 Caleb Benson #75 Jayden Malcom #72 Aaron Howe

#67 Nathan Brown

#77 Greyson Brogan #79 Isaiah Hooks

Apalachee Wildcats

Sophomores

#5 Easton Westbury

#9 Maximus Beaty

#8 Dudley Pedy

#6 Ronaldo Vega

#9 Tyler Moon #12 Zachary Bankston

#17 Trentin Fown #15 De’mond Slaughter #13 Coltin Greene

#19 Josiah Tukes#23 Caleb Doolittle #38 Mason Chandler #29 Emmanuel Sagoe #25 Hezekiah Stephens

#42 Dylan Webb #43 Jamel Cody

#49 Jerry Robinson #45 Malachi Lockett #44 John Rivera

#56 Yollins Augustin#57 Kasen Reid

#78 Hykeem Hodge #71 Colton Armstrong #62 David Robinson

Freshmen

Freshman Wildcats

#18 Lj Shumaker

#24 Raylan McLean

#22 Mason McCarty

#20 Jordan Starks

#28 Jakaidyn Nobles #30 Jamari Villerie

#33 Brady Askew #32 Trace Wood

#31 Mekhi Senior

#40 Trent Sceviour# 44 Hunter Fuller

#58 Beaux Perren #54 Zander Camacho

#52 Joshua Harden

#59 Jamarion Redding #67 Christopher Quintanar

#81 Tai Murphy #80 London Noble #69 Spencer Maddox

#88 Liam Skinner

Apalachee QB Club

Officers

S arah Eishen President

Barbara Anderson Vice-President

Meggan Reed Treasurer

Amanda Doolittle S ecretary

Football Sponsors

CHEE Cat Sponsor

Carter Lumber

Greens’s Granite and Marble

Gold Cat Sponsors

Alpine Roofing

America’s Heating and Air

Bulldog Kia

FX Logistics

Harrison Poultry

State Farm (Deb Mano has specific logo)

Unlimited Landscaping

Game Day Sponsors

Atomic Tint

City Glass

Pathways

Wildcat Cheerleaders

Varsity Cheer Cats

Listed Alphabetically: Kara Adams, Dani Bagwell, Hazel Biondi, Hayden Bowen, Skylar Buckingham, Juliet Cannarella, Madelyn Hawkins, Emily Hutchins, Hannah Jones, Michelle Moncada, Vivienne Ngyuen, Jasira Roberson, Makaylan Robinson, Jordan Shierling, Nicholas Tatum, Jewelynn Thao, Kendyl Thompson, Avery Tuggle, Addison Willer