THOMASVILLE — Brookwood’s season came to a disappointing end in the first round of the GISA Class AAA playoffs. The focus now is on next year’s squad and how it can improve on this year’s 8-4 season.

It will not be easy, however. The Warriors will graduate 10 seniors, eight of which started on offense and seven on defense.

“It’s a great group. It’s one of the best senior groups we’ve ever had. We’re going to miss them,” Brookwood coach Shane Boggs said. “I am excited about the guys that return. We’ve really got an abnormally extraordinary amount of young guys that played key roles as well. We’ll have a great foundation to build the next team on. But we’re going to miss those seniors for sure.”

This year’s senior class includes lineman Jackson Clendenin, quarterback Dallas Forsyth, linebacker and receiver Landon Hall, running back/linebacker Ty Joyner, receiver/defensive back Jacob Lauderdale, tight end/defensive end Josh McCaskill, linebacker Ethan Myers, lineman Callan Walker, running back/defensive back Marcus West and wide receiver/defensive back Nathan Yokely.

Looking ahead to 2021, the Warriors’ biggest change will be behind center. Forsyth quarterbacked a fast-paced offense that scored at least 27 points in all but three games this year. His leadership will be missed, but Boggs is already excited about next year’s signal-caller.

“Dallas ended up having a tremendous year for us and really finished strong,” Boggs said. “We’re excited about Rodge Waldrop. He could be one of the great quarterbacks that’s ever played at Brookwood. It’s early, but he’s got all of the tools. He’s got a great mindset.”

Defensively, the Warriors’ biggest changes will occur in the back eight. Brookwood loses three linebackers in Myers, Hall and Joyner and three defensive backs in the secondary, including Lauderdale, West and Yokely.

“You go down that list, we’re losing some great players for sure,” Boggs said.

Brookwood will return junior Collin Clark to man the linebacking corps. It also will return freshman T.J. Thomas in the secondary.

While the Warriors lose a plethora of experience, they are not without talent returning with some gaining valuable time on the field this year.

“Just this year, T.J. Thomas was a two-way starter as a freshman. He had right at 500 yards receiving, just did a great job for us at corner,” Boggs said. “Chapman Wolsfelt started at guard and in some games started at linebacker as a freshman. (Sophomore) Grant Gaston has been a two-year starter at defensive end. (Sophomore) Mac Duck’s a two-year starter at right tackle. We have a solid junior class as well.”