2022 Preview: Whale Branch Warriors
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The Whale Branch Warriors have been knocking on the door of a state title run. And Jerry Hatcher believes this year’s group could be the one to get over that hump. To break through in a very competitive SCHSL 1A…
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Continue ReadingThe Whale Branch Warriors have been knocking on the door of a state title run. And Jerry Hatcher believes this year’s group could be the one to get over that hump.
To break through in a very competitive SCHSL 1A postseason bracket, the Warriors will need their veteran leaders to make a difference. They’ll return a proven and versatile athlete in Jakhi Pusha who will take the reins under center. Pusha knows Hatcher’s system well and should utilize his dual-threat abilities to kickstart a promising offensive attack. The success of a team seems to always start up front, and Hatcher will be looking for big things from senior guard Benjamin Sanchez alongside Ron Smith and senior Jaylen McVay after losing standout Xavier Chaplin to Virginia Tech. Whale Branch will miss sensational running back and 1,100-yard rusher Joseph Hicks who surged to become one of the most underrated at his role in the state in 2021. But the Warriors will return a capable group of skill-position players led by junior phenom Keith Chisholm Keith Chisholm 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Whale Branch | 2024 State SC who will likely play both ways. Expect to see Darrell Cummings Darrell Cummings 5'9" | 185 lbs | ATH Whale Branch | 2024 State SC and Clifton Major taking on a bigger role in the run game alongside quarterback Pusha. If the veteran offensive line can step up and hold their blocks, we could see lots of potential from Hatcher’s group.
Whale Branch has been built around its defense over the last few years, and Chisolm anchors another talented squad in 2022. Chaplin and D’ante Parker may be gone, but Bradford Thompson and Alonzo Allen return to complement Chisolm’s lockdown play in the secondary. Hatcher admitted that his unit may not be hitting its marks just yet, but the group should find its footing as the season goes along.
Hatcher knows his group is close after coming up just short in the SCHSL 1A lower state semifinals for the second straight season, most recently at the hands of C.E. Murray. To clear that hurdle in 2022, the longtime Warriors head coach preaches for his team to keep it simple and perform the plays that got them there. If his group can meet the challenge and stick to its game, the Warriors have the talent and coaching to rival anyone in Class 1A.
2021 Results (8-2, 3-1) Lost SCHSL 1A 3rd Round
8/20 vs. Calhoun County (W 54-50)
9/10 at St. John’s (W 41-0)
9/17 vs. Military Magnet (W 34-0)
9/24 vs. Baptist Hill (L 25-30)
10/1 vs. Cross (W 31-14)
10/15 at Estill (W 56-6)
10/22 at Allendale-Fairfax (W 42-0)
11/5 (1st Round) vs. East Clarendon (W 19-0)
11/12 (2nd Round) at Lake View (W 27-12)
11/19 (3rd Round) at C.E. Murray (L 0-47)
Key Losses
RB Joseph Hicks
QB Kai’Shawn Jenkins
DL D’ante Parker
OL Xavier Chaplin
Players To Watch
Coming off a breakout season in 2021, junior Keith Chisholm Keith Chisholm 5’10” | 160 lbs | ATH Whale Branch | 2024 State SC is ready to tear up his region competition again on both sides of the ball. Chisholm boosted his stock last fall as a lockdown corner for the Warriors, racking up a whopping nine interceptions on the season thanks to his exceptional hands and agility. He should also serve as a key target for Pusha under center while serving as the rock of the secondary once again. He picked up an offer from Appalachian State earlier and will have more schools on notice if he keeps up his stellar play.
Jakhi Pusha
Jakhi Pusha
A longtime veteran of Jerry Hatcher’s system, Jakhi Pusha will take on the quarterback role in his senior year. A dynamic athlete with outstanding hands and quick feet, Pusha thrived as a wideout in his Warrior career, hauling in a sensational catch to knock off Baptist Hill two years ago. Now, he’ll replace Kai’shawn Jenkins under center and use his strength and quickness to pick up yards on the ground. If he can make some accurate throws and manage the game, it could be the difference this Whale Branch offense needs to play deep into November.
Javon Smith
Javon Smith
Things are pointing in the right direction for Javon Smith to deliver a breakout year for the Warriors. Smith is listed at 310 pounds and has been working to improve his footwork and blocking skills on the line. Hatcher expects Smith to take the next step in his game as the offseason winds down and become a leader and reliable force for his group. Look for Smith to be a defining factor for Whale Branch’s offense after losing Xavier Chaplin to graduation.
More Names To Know
OL Benjamin Sanchez 2023
RB Darrell Cummings Darrell Cummings 5'9" | 185 lbs | ATH Whale Branch | 2024 State SC 2024
RB Clifton Major 2023
DL Bradford Thompson 2024
2022 Schedule/ Games to Circle
8/26 vs. North Charleston
9/2 vs. Ridgeland-Hardeeville
9/9 at Baptist Hill
It may not be a region game anymore, but the Whale Branch-Baptist Hill rivalry has been one of the best in all of Class 1A. The Warriors took a hard-fought battle in 2020 thanks to a beautiful Hail Mary grab by Jakhi Pusha, but fell in 2021 after surrendering a late lead. The Bobcats are looking to build on an eight-win season after reaching the lower state semifinals. Baptist Hill’s non-traditional offensive look can be tough to defend at times, giving a strong early test to a Warrior unit looking to see some growth.
9/16 at Burke
9/23 at Battery Creek
9/30 vs. Bethune-Bowman*
10/7 at Estill*
10/28 at Bamberg-Ehrhardt*
The Red Raiders made it all the way to the Class 1A title game last year and have given the Warriors some trouble in the past. Now, the two teams will play in the same region and are set to meet in the final week of the regular season in Bamberg. The Warriors will hope that this one will be for a region title and a chance at an all-important top playoff seed. They’ll have lots of work to get done before then, but Hatcher’s group will definitely have its eyes in what that game could mean in late October.