The Whitmire Wolverines football team is preparing for the 2026 season with hopes of improving on their 2025 record of 3-8 overall and 1-4 in region 1-A. The South Carolina High School League’s recent region and classification realignments mean the Wolverines will face new opponents this year. Head coach Andrew Campbell’s team returns many key starters, which could help them navigate the updated schedule.
Senior quarterback Kaden Malpass, who had 476 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in his junior year, is expected to lead the offense. Malpass’s 2025 season was impacted by a high ankle sprain in week three, which contributed to an up-and-down performance after a 2-0 start. The team will need to replace Dalton Williams and Crue Keller, who were significant contributors on both offense and defense. Williams played on the offensive and defensive lines, also seeing time as a running back and tight end. Keller, while filling in at quarterback after Malpass’s injury, made a notable impact in the Wolverines’ secondary.
Despite the challenges of the previous season, the Wolverines have promising talent returning. The backfield duo of De’Angelo Ruff and Kingston Green combined for over 1,000 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns in 2025. Landen Wulf, a playmaker in the secondary and on offense, also had a strong 2025 season, leading the team with three interceptions and accumulating 433 all-purpose yards.
Key returning players for the 2026 season include Kaden Malpass (senior, quarterback), Landon Wulf (senior, wide receiver/safety), Kingston Green (junior, running back/linebacker), Sam Moore (senior, offensive/defensive lineman), and De’Angelo Ruff. The 2026 schedule includes home games against Mid-Carolina, Ware Shoals, Great Falls (Homecoming), Batesburg-Leesville, and Eau Claire (Senior Night). Region games include Clear Dot Charter, Ridge Spring-Monetta, C.A. Johnson, Batesburg-Leesville, and Eau Claire. All games are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m.