2025 Preview: Wando Warriors

It's year two of the Isaiah Perrin tenure at Wando but it almost feels like the Warriors are starting over. They had a large graduating class and only return a total of 10 starters – six on offense and four on defense.   But those numbers don't really concern Perrin, who came over after a successful stint as an assistant coach at Stratford. In fact, he's more excited about it than worried when we talked to him at the Media Day in mid-June.   The Warriors are coming off a 5-6 season.   “We had a lot of young guys step up last year that had to get a lot of playing time,” Perrin said. “Spring ball was really good for us even with the spring sports season competition for some of our guys. But they rolled in after their seasons and fit right in. Guys have bought in and jumped into the weight and conditioning program since I got here, and we've seen large gains in the weight room.”   Even with a smaller returning group, there is a ton of experience and talent. It probably starts with linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1241751' first='Matthew' last='Payes'] on defense and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1592323' first='Harris' last='Stone'] (pictured) on offense. Those two have taken on a huge leadership role in the offseason.   “We're trying to lead the young guys and the team as a whole,” Payes said. “We want to focus on the more positive stuff and not the negative things. Every day, we're trying to be more vocal and have a better bond among the team.”   Stone believes the players have grown more relaxed and comfortable after learning from Perrin in the first year.   “We've been learning a lot more about him and more about his scheme,” Stone said. “He's been teaching us about values, characters and learning about how to set the example for the younger guys and get them to work as hard as we are.”   Stone is going to have plenty of protection in front of him with senior Truere Rothchild, juniors Griffin Burrell and [player_tooltip player_id='1651108' first='Ben' last='Buffum'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1674393' first='Teo' last='Jovic'] protecting him and opening holes for the running game.   “We're just excited to get started,” Stone said. “We feel like we have the pieces in place to be really good, and we've been putting in the work.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1651108' first='Ben' last='Buffum'] OL/Dl, 2027 – Buffum is 6-foot-3, 290 pounds but moves extremely well for his size. He's a mauler and plays with a nasty streak. He can overpower defenders and win one-on-one battles as well as play in space and block linebackers or edge guys. He moves laterally well and plays with great leverage. He's likely to see time on the defensive line this season and could end up being a big contributor there.   Ben Elkenberry LB, 2027 – Elkenberry moved into a starting role last year and could blossom into a breakout star this season. He played in eight games and registered 42 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. He comes downhill quickly and can deliver the big hit when the opportunity presents itself. Playing alongside an experienced senior should allow Elkenberry free to make plenty of plays.   Truere Rothchild OL 2026 – Rothschild is the anchor of the offensive line and while he doesn't have the size as some of the other guys up front, he makes up for it with sheer determination and smarts. He knows everyone's assignments and could slide into almost any of the positions if needed. He's powerful and excels in both pass and run blocking.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592323' first='Harris' last='Stone'] QB, 2026 – Stone threw for 1,868 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. One thing that needs to improve is the 10 interceptions but most of those came when trying to throw into tight windows. He's 6-foot-3 and stands tall in the pocket. There is little doubt we could see Stone surpass 2,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards as long as he stays healthy.     [player_tooltip player_id='1738855' first='David' last='Vennard'] WR, 2026 – Vennard isn't going to wow people with is size but is the top returning receiver after catching 26 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns last season. He's scrappy and goes and gets the ball aggressively. His biggest asset might be his route running skills. He figured things out as the season went on last year and he's developed great chemistry with Stone. He could double his numbers if all goes well.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1241751' first='Matthew' last='Payes'] LB, 2026 – Payes is 6-foot-1, 203 pounds and turned into a tackling machine in 2024. He averaged over 10 tackles per game a season ago and added eight tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and a blocked punt last season. He has a high motor and dazzles on the field as much as he does off the field. He earned the Top Defensive Combo Award at the Carolina Coaches Combine series at Woodland. He reads and reacts well in running plays and is athletic enough to drift into coverage against a running back or slot receiver.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Cole Fletcher DB/WR – Fletcher was a two-way standout that recorded 45 tackles and six interceptions on defense while adding a team-best 38 catches for 468 yards and seven touchdowns on offense.   Brock Feinberg ATH – Feinberg was another two-way standout that did a lot of different things for the Warriors. He was an asset blocking while adding 23 receptions for 364 yards and six touchdowns. He also added 50 tackles and 1.5 sacks as he rarely left the field in several games.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1674393' first='Teo' last='Jovic'] OL. 2028 – Jovic moves very well and still has time to grow. He saw action as a freshman last season and that experience should pay off well. He's 6-foot-6 and close to 260 pounds now. He can add weight and still be effective. He's still learning but uses great hand placement and can bully defenders in a tight window. His footwork is above average on passing blocking.       Gabe Holmes WR, 2028 – Holmes should make a splash in the wide receiver rotation this season. He's caught the attention of some of the other players with his speed and precise route running. He catches everything that comes near him. He's been great during the spring and summer and should see that translate onto the field in 2025.    Jahn had to fight the Injury bug in 2024 but is as healthy as he has been in a while. He chipped in with 316 yards on the ground last season but should be the main guy in the backfield this season. He's quick and shifty and a lot of times might make the first guy miss.

It's year two of the Isaiah Perrin tenure at Wando but it almost feels like the Warriors are starting over. They had a large graduating class and only return a total of 10 starters – six on offense and four on defense.