We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Brantley County 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: 3-8
- Points Scored: 161
- Points Against: 300
Key Losses
The good news for Brantley County is they lose just 10 seniors total from the 2021 team. The bad news is that the top five, according to Head Coach Geoff Cannon, include key playmakers from both sides of the ball.
Among those key losses are receivers Quinton Walker and Brian Hiott. Walker had 44 catches for 583 yards and three TDs during his time at Brantley. He also added 208 return yards as a kick returner. Walker will move on to play collegiately for St Mary’s University.
Hiott made an impact all over the field, finishing his career with 435 yards receiving, and three TDs. On defense, he had 62 tackles and two INT. He also served as the team’s punter and kicker, converting 10 of 15 PATs, and averaged 32 yards on 38 punt attempts. The team will also miss LBs RJ Bryan and Ryan Ratliff, who are off to Webber International University to continue their football careers. DE JoJo Steedley also will be missed, according to Cannon.
Who’s Back
Leading the top returners from last year is ATH Kellon Middleton, who has been a major contributor to the Herons since he was a freshman. He will rarely come off the field and is always ready to make an impact wherever he can – and he usually does. Middleton has 137 carries for 565 rushing yards and six TDs over the last two seasons. He also has caught 66 passes for 696 yards and another six TDs. He has racked up 357 return yards on kickoffs with a TD, and on defense he has 73 tackles. He will continue to make an impact for the Herons in 2022.
QB Kirkland Cannon had a solid year last season, throwing for 1175 yards with 10 TDs. He also ran for four TDs. Returning on the offensive line will be OT Kasey Holliman. Defensively, safety Joel Willis and OLB Little Michael Connor will be back. They are tackling machines, with Willis tallying 84 tackles while Connor had 60 tackles, including 14 TFL and 4.5 sacks.
What To Expect
With only 10 seniors lost to graduation, Coach Cannon and the Herons will have some experience and depth to work with this season. That, coupled with the fact that Brantley will drop to AA, could open the doors of opportunity for the team in 2022. The return of Middleton, as well as Kirkland Cannon, the starting QB from last year, should provide not only plenty of talent on the field, but leadership in the locker room as well. The Herons are due for a breakout season, and with those key offensive pieces back, plus the combined 144 tackles of Willis and Conner giving the defense much-needed teeth, fans of the Herons may finally have a winning product on the field in 2022.
Prediction
Double the wins from last year is a step in the right direction: 6-5 overall record in 2022.
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