We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Rome 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: 8-3
- Points Scored: 353
- Points Against: 201
Key Losses
Rome high football coach John Reid tells ITG Next that his team will miss all-purpose standout Bryson Hill, who graduated and is off to Cumberland College. At Rome, Hill truly underscored the meaning of “all purpose,” doing a little bit of everything.
As a receiver, he caught 33 passes for 397 yards, and as a running back, he had 219 carries for 1,543 rushing yards, an average of more than seven yards per carry, with 22 TDs. On special teams, Hill returned 21 kicks for 581 yards with one TD, averaging 27.7 yds per return. On defense, he ended up with 117 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss. He snatched three interceptions, forced two fumbles, and blocked two field goal attempts. Also gone is standout defensive end Jalen White, a 6-foot-3 240-pounder who is now playing at Coffeyville Community College.
Who’s Back
Look out for Rome in 2022 and 2023. The Wolves return a host of key performers from last season, including junior quarterback Reece Fountain, who has thrown for 2,000 yards and 21 TDs with just three interceptions.
Other returning juniors singled out by Reid are TE Martavious Collins (46 catches, three TDs), a recruit who has the interest of every major college in the country; First-Team All-Region OL Jarvis Adams; punter Corey Gardhigh, who averaged 41 yards per punt last season; and receiver DK Daniels, who has caught 66 passes for 707 yards and 10 TDs.
Rounding out the key returners for Rome are DT Stephaylin Green, a First-Team All-State selection who has committed to Clemson, and DB Martel Hight, who has several SEC school offers, but is currently committed to Vanderbilt. Senior DE Tyson Brown, who was an All-Region selection last season, also returns; Reid says he “may be our best overall player.”
What To Expect
Rome is loaded, and the Wolves have one of the top head football coaches in Georgia in John Reid. After leading his squad to back-to-back state championships a season after arriving at Rome, Reid has continued to win consistently, although he hasn’t found his way back to the title game since the 2017 championship. This team, loaded with talent as it is, likely gives him and the Rome fans the best opportunity they’ve had since then.
Prediction
Rome wins 12 games.
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