White Knoll Making Offseason Strides Under New Head Coach

By WORTHY EVANS

Contributing Writer, HSSR

Columbia - Under Nick Pelham, the White Knoll football team achieved more wins over a 3-year stretch than at any time in Timberwolves history.

After 29 victories in three years, a 5A state championship appearance in 2023 and a 5A Division 2 lower state championship appearance the next year, and a round-two appearance in 2025, Pelham took the job as the first head football coach at Lake Wylie High School after five years with White Knoll.

Former Chester head coach Victor Floyd took over the team in February of this year, and immediately coined the 2026 season as ‘the next step.’ With spring practice in the books and June’s weight room achievements coming on strong, Floyd said the Timberwolves players are on a strong pace to improve on last year’s 8-4 effort.

“The team’s coming along. The guys have bought in and the ones that didn’t have left before I got here and if they didn’t, they’ve left by now,” said Floyd, a 20-plus year veteran head coach who led the Cyclones to a 3A state championship appearance in 2017 and a 3A state championship the next year. “I like our nucleus. They’re a little experienced, but I love that they are motivated to play. I like where we are and the improvement that we made and the growth that they’ve seen in themselves.” 

Taking over at quarterback from Jhais McKiever, who now attends Gray Collegiate, is rising junior Brayden Cress, who has played JV ball and had a good spring practice.

“He has a lot of intangibles and he’s shown strong leadership so far,” Floyd said. “He’s got great processing skills, an above-average arm, and all the tools to be a really good quarterback. It’ll soon be time to turn the reins over to him.”

With Cress in development is junior tight end Kentrell Bonnette, a 6-3, 220-pounder who Floyd said can line up as a tight end, an H-back or as a slot receiver, depending on the situation. Wide receiver/cornerback Tyler Brown, who came up from JV last year, will also help lift the offense. 

“He’s going to be an integral part of what we’re doing offensively,” Floyd said of Bonnette. “Tyler’s going to be a top target in addition to being a good return guy. He’s athletic, has above-average hands and real good ball skills.”

Junior guard Brayden Weston is the only returner on the offensive line, and Floyd said he’s going to see a lot of time on the offensive and defensive lines, and will have a strong supporting cast on the offensive front, which will have four juniors and one senior among the front five. 

On defense, senior Jah’mauri Davis returns at linebacker and Floyd considers him a strong FCS recruiting prospect.

“He’s a sideline-to-sideline guy, a three-year starter, six foot and 220,” Floyd said.

Senior Jonathan Keith moved from slot receiver to cornerback and in doing so, became an instant prospect in the secondary. He’ll also see time at running back in various situations, but may get the best opportunity to play at the college level as a cornerback.

Sophomore Middle linebacker Adrian Ellsworth also stood out among the spring practice highlights. At 5-11, 225, Ellsworth showed “a ton of upside” at that position, along with a Chester transfer, defensive back Cl’Menta Crosby.

On special teams, the one standout has been senior long snapper Charles Bieda. Not often thought about as a key position, Bieda has gotten notice with his snap speed—recently clocked at 0.64 seconds on a 15-yard snap. At that speed, it’s next to impossible for defenders to get to the punter before the kick.

“There’s no telling where he’s going to end up,” Floyd said. “The scholarship-level snap for Clemson is 0.72. Once when he was snapping PATs he split a kid’s hand.”

With the July 30 date for fall practice growing closer, Floyd said that the Timberwolves are on a strong track to being ready for the fall season.

“We need to have the same month in July that we had in June,” Floyd said, noting the team’s progress in the weight room. “As long as we do that, hopefully we’ll be ready.”