Perrin changing football culture at Wando

Mt. Pleasant – After a disappointing four-year run, Wando High has turned over its football program to new leadership for 2024 as Isaiah Perrin moves in as the new head coach.

Perrin is tasked with reversing some bad fortune as the Warriors have won only eight games over the last four seasons. Wando, however, has won before, evidenced by an eight-win season in 2019. Perrin, who came from Stratford, is looking to rekindle the fire.

“From day one, we have worked to create a culture of physical and mental toughness as well as accountability,” said Perrin, who played his high school ball at Timberland High. “The players have embraced the challenge. They have responded well and I am super excited about where we are headed. It’s long fight. We have a long way to go but I am encouraged by what I see from the players.”

Wando is in need of a complete overhaul but does return some talent from last year. The new coaching staff also has worked the hallways to attract more athletes who were not playing football. Perrin estimates more than 120 players (varsity and jayvee) show regularly for summer workouts.

“We have athletes here that don’t play football so we’ve tried to get them out,” Perrin said. “We have some who maybe played C-team a few years ago and went to other sports or stopped playing football and we have worked to get them back in the program.”

Offensively, the Warriors return some experience at quarterback as junior Harris Stone works as the No. 1 guy this summer. Harris saw action in five games as a sophomore and passed for more than 400 yards.

“He has a good arm and he moves around and runs well,” Perrin said. “He’s had a good summer and we feel like he has a lot of potential as a leader on the offense.”

Senior Reggie Grant returns as the leading rusher while seniors Cole Fletcher and Kai Correia will be the primary receiving targets. Another factor in the passing game is tight end Brock Feinberg, who will be a fourth-year varsity starter.

Two leaders on a revamped offensive line will be tackle Jackson Ward and guard Harrison Hayes.

Feinberg also will be a key performer on defense, working at inside linebacker. Junior outside linebacker Matt Payes is called “the best player on the defense” by Perrin. Corners Mikey Jenkins and Shane Maher, along with Fletcher at safety, will anchor the secondary.

Senior Brayden Berry also returns with experience at linebacker.

Perrin is cautious to predict wins and losses this fall. He says 2024 is just the beginning of the process and success can be determined in other ways.

“We have to improve each week and become more sound in everything that we do,” he said. “The goal is to win every down and win every quarter. The scoreboard will reflect our success if we just focus on one down at a time.”