Wheeler heads to Woodstock on Friday night still looking for its first win under first-year head coach Travis Roland.
The Wildcats (0-4, 0-1 Region 5-AAAAAAA) face an Etowah squad riding a strong start at 4-1 overall and 2-0 in region play. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Etowah.
Wheeler has been outscored 193-51 through four games, with losses to Campbell (34-24), Westlake (66-10), Harrison (44-14) and Walton (49-3), according to MaxPreps.
Roland was introduced to the program in February. He brought a 75-29 career record over nine years as a head coach in Florida and Georgia, according to Cobb County School District athletics. That run includes a 2023 Florida state championship at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach. Roland most recently coached at Camden County in South Georgia, where he went 13-8 over two seasons before being dismissed following a 6-4 finish in 2025, according to East Cobb News.
Roland had never posted a losing season as a head coach before arriving at Wheeler.
Wheeler Athletic Director Barry Bowdre said at Roland's February introduction that he sought "someone who was a proven winner, had a track record of developing talent, and could make us more competitive."
Roland replaced Bryan Love, who went 26-47 in seven seasons. Wheeler's only winning season since 2018 was a 7-4 playoff year in 2023, according to East Cobb News.
The Wildcats return senior quarterback Patrick McCullough and junior running back Javon Mangum, who stepped into the featured role after 1,000-yard rusher Greg Kendrick graduated. Etowah head coach Brett Vavra told the Marietta Daily Journal he expects a physical game despite Wheeler's record.
"They have played some pretty tough competition, and we are aware of that," Vavra said.
He added that Wheeler graduated key defensive players and tailback Kendrick but returns McCullough at quarterback. Vavra called the Wildcats athletic and physical up front, noting Etowah is a bit undersized on the lines.
Etowah, under second-year coach Vavra, has not started 5-1 since 2015, according to the Marietta Daily Journal. The Eagles' offense runs through quarterback Zeke Douglas, who has completed more than 60 percent of his passes for 848 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. Douglas has also rushed for 327 yards and six scores. His top target, receiver Walker Hughes, has 24 catches for 327 yards and two touchdowns.
Wheeler beat Etowah 34-24 last season behind five sacks and three interceptions. The Wildcats' roster has turned over significantly since then.
After Friday, Wheeler's remaining region schedule includes a trip to Paulding County on Friday, Oct. 9, and home games against Cherokee on Oct. 16, North Cobb on Oct. 23 and Marietta on Oct. 30, before closing at North Paulding on Nov. 6.
