We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Brunswick 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: 11-1
- Points Scored: 443
- Points Against: 164
Key Losses
The Pirates suffer losses in both player personnel and head coach. The latter, Sean Pender, left for North Hall High School, where he assumes the same position. Former assistant coach Garrett Grady is taking over as head coach, and he’s faced with the challenge of replacing some very good talent that has graduated.
The departed include talented RB Chuckobee Hill, who rushed for 2,849 career yards as a Pirate. He was also a scoring machine, totaling 42 touchdowns during his time at Brunswick.
Linebacker Adam Mweemba joins Hill as part of the losses for Coach Grady, and his standout performance on defense will be missed. Mweemba registered 113 career tackles and three sacks while manning the middle of the defense for the Pirates. He also snagged two interceptions from his LB spot.
On the offensive line, Brunswick is sad to see offensive lineman Kanaya Charlton leave the port city. He now takes his blocking skills to Florida State University, where he is expected to make an immediate impact for the Seminoles. That’s three big losses and a lot of talent that Grady will have to replace heading into 2022.
Who’s Back
Leading the group of returners from last season is the reigning defensive player of the year, defensive lineman Ka’Shawn Thomas. He ended the season with 56 total tackles and three sacks, but considering he was the target of many double teams from opponents’ offensive linemen, the numbers really don’t tell the whole story of just how impactful he was for the Pirates defense.
Thomas led a unit that allowed the fifth-lowest point total in Class 6A last season, giving up just under 14 points per game. His return is a huge lift for a Brunswick team hoping to at least repeat last season’s double-digit win total.
Returning to his position right behind Thomas on the Pirate “Black Flag” defensive unit is junior LB Devin Smith, an All Region selection last season. He had 61 tackles in 2021 and was a menace to opposing QBs with six sacks. He also caused three fumbles, recovering two of them, including one for a touchdown.
Returning on the offensive line will be University of Central Florida commit Jamal Meriweather. The 6-foot-6-inch OT gives Grady’s Pirates a major presence up front on offense and a big body to try to run behind this season.
What To Expect
This will be Grady’s first head coaching position after serving as an assistant coach for the past five seasons under Pender, but he’s no stranger to knowing what it takes to be a championship-caliber team. He was a part of two national championships with Valdosta State University, first as a player then as an assistant coach. He will bring that pedigree and experience to the job as Pirates head coach.
“We have high expectations for this team this year,” Grady said. “We are looking forward to playing great competition and competing at a high level. Our schedule is geared towards playing great opponents that will prepare us for region games and playoffs.”
That schedule Grady is referring to includes two tough home games with Camden County and The Bolles School out of Jacksonville. That game will be a part of the Border War showcase event, which will be played at Glynn County Stadium, and will pit Georgia teams against Florida programs. Pirate fans should be excited, just as Grady is, about the level of talent returning this season.
“We have a lot of experience returning for the Pirates on offense and defense,” said Grady.
Prediction
Expect great things from Grady and his Pirates team in 2022: 12 wins, including a couple in the playoffs.
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