All the cards are on the table – and Rabun County is all-in for 2025. A veteran senior class who has proven it on the field returns, and Rance Gillespie (head coach) and DC Bill Stewart bring an exciting resume full of state titles (plural). The Wildcats are looking to return to being one of the state’s best teams.
Head Coach: Rance Gillespie (1st Season)
2024 Record: 6-5; State Rnd 1
“We’re talking about being elite,” says coach Rance Gillespie. “Elite in everything we do. That’s an easy thing to say, but a hard thing to do. Human nature is to be average, and not be elite. But that’s where we want our program to be.”
2025 SCHEDULE – RABUN COUNTY
Key Departures: Elvis Hunt, Alex Yearwood, Michael Johnson, Tucker Buchanan, Jake Payne
Returning Starters: 8 on offense; 7 on defense
Key Returning Players: Ty Truelove, Reid Giles, Lake Evans, Dane Tyler, Noah English (out for season), Ethan Hopper, JK Fruster, Zach Gordon
Up & Coming Players: Reed Burrell
Offense: Pro-Style
Physicality on offense is going to be the goal. Ty Truelove is back as a 3-year starter under center, and looking to go out with a bang. He’ll have a loaded backfield of Reid Giles and Lake Evans, and JK Fruster will get some totes as well. At receiver, the group is led by Reed Burrell, and Evans and Giles will play a part in the passing game, too. Others will need to step up at this position.
Defense: 4-3
Bill Stewart owns this side of the ball, and his career speaks for itself. He’ll operate from the 4-down front, and has several proven playmakers back such as Reid Giles, Ethan Hopper, Dane Tyler, JK Fruster, and others. Even Lake Evans will be a big part of that.
Trenches: Young and inexperienced. Zach Gordon will get a lot of calls specifically on the OLine, and he’ll play on both sides of the line. He’s the lone returning starter.
Strengths & Areas of Focus
Strengths: Skill position players. A bunch of these guys are 3-year starters at this point and veteran leaders. The offense in general is a real strength.
Focusing On: Depth. Rabun County is hoping to avoid the injuries as much as possible. Depth is an issue specifically on the defensive side of the ball and in the trenches.
