ITG Next spoke with Edgewater football head coach Cameron Duke about the Eagles’ upcoming 2022 season, as well as a few returning names to know.
Q: Coming off a strong 2021 season, what are some of your thoughts about the potential of this Edgewater football team as you look ahead to the 2022 campaign?
A: We are very excited for the start of spring practice and what lies ahead for the 2022 Edgewater Eagle’s football team. Our motto this year is “One Team, One Heartbeat” and we are hoping to start that journey of transforming from a team into a family this spring and summer. We have a special group of players returning and are looking forward to watching some new and young guys step into leadership roles heading into the fall.
Q: One of the top names returning for your team this season is obviously running back Cedric Baxter Jr., who is coming off a massive junior season in which he ran for 1,718 yards and 26 touchdowns. What in your mind makes Cedric such a special player on the field, and how does he compare to some of the other players you’ve coached at Edgewater in recent years?
A: CJ Baxter is an outstanding young man, but what makes him special is how good of a teammate and leader he is. He has a 3.7 GPA and also is very humble. He exemplifies the core values of our program: Selflessness, Toughness and Leadership. He has had an outstanding off-season and has gotten bigger, faster and stronger. We look forward to what he does on the field, but more importantly how he leads this team and demonstrates the core values of our program.
Q: In addition to Baxter, quarterback Chase Carter is a key name who returns this season. How beneficial to this Eagles offense is it to have those two experienced options returning?
A: Having a senior QB heading into the spring, summer and fall is a huge plus for us as a program. Chase has played in a lot of big games and has played extremely well. He has a complete grasp of our offense and what we want to accomplish from the QB position. Chase has had an outstanding off-season as he qualified for states in weight lifting (183 lb. weight class) and track. He ran a 11.1 in the 100 meters and boasts a GPA of 4.0. He is on track to be his class valedictorian. Chase is another young man who leads on and off the field, and we are expecting him to have an outstanding senior year.
Q: Lastly, what will you miss most about this 2022 senior class, and how difficult will it be the replace names on the defensive side of the ball such as Winston Griffin, Chrishaun Anderson, and Thomas Anderson?
A: We will miss a lot of guys from the 2021 season, but we are hoping this spring new leaders emerge on the defensive side of the ball. Senior DB JaMichael Montgomery, junior LB Damon Troutman, senior DL Corey Alston, senior DL D’Juan Gilbert and senior DL Vincent Burse all have had tremendous off-seasons and are looking to step into some big-time leadership roles. We expect big things from our defense heading into the 2022 season!
