2026 local high school football previews: Woodland Wildcats
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
July 31, 2026
Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com
Bartow Sports Zone is featuring each of the four local high school football programs with previews of the 2026 teams. Each local head coach responded to a questionnaire.
Head Coach Andy Scott
Andy Scott begins his 17th season as a head coach in Georgia and his third at the helm of the Wildcats. Scott was the head coach at Perry (2005-2009), Kennesaw Mountain (2012-2017), and LaFayette (2021-2023) prior to his current position. He is 61-105 as a head coach and guided three Perry teams to the state playoffs in 2005, 2006, and 2007. The 2007 team reached the state quarterfinals. Woodland was 2-8 last season with wins over Southeast Whitfield (42-3) and Cedartown (28-14).
The Wildcats this summer:
We start off each day in the weight room from 8 to 9 am, then head to the field for individual work, special teams, and team sessions. We did go to 7-on-7s at Georgia and Georgia Tech in June, as well as a team camp at Rockmart. For July, we went to a team camp at Creekview. The rest of July was focused on getting ready for the season.
What are your expected numbers for the 2025 season?
For Grades 9-12, we expect 75-85 players.
Have you added any new coaches for 2025? What are their primary responsibilities?
We have added a few coaches. The first one is Justin Scott, my son, who will be coaching linebackers and handling special teams for us. We added Charlie Higdon, who is not new to Woodland. He is our current strength and conditioning coach, but took a few years off from coaching and is back with us as the defensive line coach. We also added two community coaches, Cyril Young and Brayden Pope, who will help us with the defense.
Have the position assignments/coaching roles changed for any staff members retained from last year’s staff?
The only change is that Jamey Stiltz is now helping with the offensive line; last year, he worked with the linebackers.
When is your official preseason scrimmage with another school?
Friday, August 14th, at 7:30 pm vs. Osborne at home.
As head coach at Woodland, what accomplishment for the program or development within the program makes you most proud?
Probably the biggest thing heading into year three is the growth of our program internally. We are finally to the point where we feel like we have a chance to compete each and every Friday Night now, that was not the case the first two years.
Who are the Wildcats to watch on offense in 2025?
-- Solomon James, RB, junior, offered by Kennesaw State, Georgia State, and Shorter.
-- Sammy Ray, QB, junior.
-- Clayton McArdle, WR, senior,
-- Trevor Mann, WR, sophomore.
-- Cameron Quinney, OL, sophomore,
-- Treshawn Brown, OL, sophomore
Who are your defensive players to watch in 2025?
-- Peyton Young, LB, junior.
-- Zhy'aire Hearn, DB, junior
Which players are competing to be your specialists? (kickoffs, punting, PAT, FG, kick returners, punt returners)
-- Chad Waller, K/P, junior.
-- Levi Mercer, P, sophomore
What do you see as the strengths of this year’s team?
Our junior class is a very talented group, as well as our sophomore class. These are kids who have been in our program from the start and are really the catalysts of our team. This group is the backbone of our program and our leadership group.
What are the primary challenges for this year’s team?
The biggest concern is the overall lack of depth at each position; we are working to add more players to increase depth.
Briefly, share your thoughts on the non-region portion of your schedule.
We tried to find competitive games that gave us a chance to earn quality wins in our power rankings.
Based on your knowledge of returning players, etc, which teams are your region’s top contenders for playoff berths?
Cartersville is always the frontrunner for the region title. I think Dalton will be a good team. Everyone else is competing for those other spots.
What are your general expectations for 2026, and any other thoughts you would like to share?
Our expectations are to have a winning season and make the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
2026 schedule (Home games in CAPS)
Friday, August 14 — OSBORNE (scrimmage)
Friday, August 21 — at Pope
Friday, August 28 — ADAIRSVILLE
Friday, September 4 — NORTH SPRINGS
Friday, September 11 — open --
Friday, September 18 — at Northwest Whitfield
Friday, September 25 — CASS
Friday, October 2 — at Villa Rica
Friday, October 9 — open --
Friday, October 16 — at Dalton
Friday, October 23 — at Cedartown
Friday, October 30 — ALLATOONA
Friday, November 6 — CARTERSVILLE
