We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Cartersville football team in this preview. We take a look at roster changes and what fans can expect from the team this season.
2021 Stats
- Overall Record: 10-1
- Points Scored: 398
- Points Against: 146
Key Losses
According to head coach Conor Foster, the Purple Hurricanes will miss several key members of last season’s one-loss team, including quarterback Jake Parker. In his first season as a starter in 2021, Parker led an offense that averaged over 36 points per game. He was solid, throwing for 1,000 yards and 15 TDs against just two interceptions. He now takes his talents to Hutchinson Community College.
One of Parker’s favorite targets was WR Jacob Ray, who caught seven TD passes in his Cartersville career and added 89 tackles from his DB spot. Ray also is a standout baseball player who signed with Berry College to play both sports.
Another standout offensive weapon who will be missed is RB Amari White, who rushed for over 1,200 yards with eight TDs. White was a First-Team All-Region, All-County, and GACA All-State selection. He’s staying stay close to home to play for Shorter University.
White will have a familiar face join him at Shorter, as teammate and DL/TE Nasir Grandberry also signed with the Hawks. Grandberry was a three-year starter on both sides of the ball. He was also a First-Team All-Region selection.
On the offensive line, Shadre Hurst, another First-Team All Region selection as well as All-State, will be missed. In addition to his football skills, Hurst was a 5A wrestling state champion. The three-year starter is headed west to play football at Tulane University.
Who’s Back
Among the key returners for Foster’s Cartersville team this season is senior RB Malachi Jeffries, who finished last season with 675 rushing yards and 10 TDs. He averaged 8 yards per carry. Replacing Parker at QB is senior Paul Gamble, who, according to Foster, saw action in all 11 games last season and had three passing TDs and one rushing score.
The ’Canes welcome back a couple of senior starters from the offensive line in 2022. They are two-year starter Johnathan Cline, who was a First-Team All-Region and All-County selection last year, and has over 30 offers from D-1 schools, according to Foster. The other senior lineman is three-year starter Jaden Akins, another All-Region First-Teamer; he’ll also see time this year on the defensive line. Foster says both Akins and Cline graded out over 85 percent this past season.
Kace Adams, a Second-Team All-Region selection, returns for his senior season as the team’s long snapper and safety. From his defensive back post last year, Adams had 48 tackles and three interceptions. He’ll spend his fourth consecutive season as the team’s starting long snapper, and his second on defense.
Senior punter Phillip Schiltz is a weapon for the Purple Hurricanes, as his 42-yard average attests. He was a First-Team All-Region and GACA All-State selection last year, and was named as the Region and Daily-Tribune Specialist of the Year.
What To Expect
Foster told ITG Next Georgia that despite a host of new faces for the 2022 season, the standard for the Cartersville football program remains the same.
“We will continue our pursuit of building a championship program that prepares young men for success on the field, in the classroom, and in the community,” said Foster.
He added that during the spring practice sessions, the team looked at different personnel groups “with a vision of creating mismatches and opportunities to highlight key players and their strengths.” Coach Foster said he and his staff will use the summer workouts to develop depth and work on situational packages and teaching points. The coach says he likes his group of returning starters on both sides, and that their experience allows the team to be flexible.
“Our veteran offensive line should create a push for a balanced attack that will feature several new playmakers in various roles, and defensively we will be able to continue to create pressure with multiple fronts and coverages,” Foster said.
The bottom line? Cartersville will have playmakers once again and a great group of coaches to maximize their capabilities.
Prediction
Don’t expect anything other than another great season: 12-2 overall record.
Want to get the latest news and opinions in the Georgia high school sports world before anyone else? Subscribe to our email newsletter!
