We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Carver Atlanta 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: 12-3
- Points Scored: 457
- Points Against: 270
Key Losses
Longtime Carver Atlanta Head Coach Darren Myles is looking for some playmakers to replace several key contributors from last season’s 12-win team, including four of the starting offensive linemen. Left tackle Moses Umoren is off to South Carolina State, guards Isaiah Conn and Tasia Berry are headed to Johnson C. Smith University, and center Romell Pina has graduated, also.
The Panthers must replace over 6,500 combined rushing yards from RB Quintavious Lockett (Highland Community College) and Jarveous Brown (West Virginia State), and WR Tabias Robinson and ATH Quintavious Davis also have departed.
On defense, the Panthers lose linebackers Devonte Amasiani and Dailo Mosley, who were tackling machines. Amasiani finishes with 382 tackles and five sacks, while Mosley had 399 tackles with two sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. They are headed off to Fort Valley State, where they will continue as teammates. DE Terrell Lightfoot is headed to Alabama State.
Who’s Back
Leading the Panthers’ offense in 2022 will be returning QB Bryce Bowens, who missed the first half of the season, but returned to lead his team to the state title game. He ended up with 1,815 passing yards and 14 TDs. His primary target will likely be senior wide receiver and four-year starter Deondre Buchannon. He has 50 catches and stands at 996 yards receiving as he heads into the season. Myles tells ITGNext that the rising senior has numerous offers.
Carver loses four of the O-line starters, but they do have LG Kelton McCrary back. On defense, the Panthers have a couple of young safeties that Myles says are ones to watch in 2022. Junior Joshua Stone is coming off his first year as a starter last season, when he came up big with three interception, two sacks, and 31 tackles. Despite lacking multiple years of experience, his 2021 performance has attracted a ton of interest from college recruiters, including Louisville and Arkansas.
Fellow safety Roderick Hunter is a junior who will be starting for the first time, according to Myles. Cornerback Taurin Kemp started the final five games last season, and he will start the season at one of the corner spots this year. He may also see time at RB again.
Senior DL Aquantis Clemmons is a four-year starter who will anchor the defensive line again. He has 136 tackles with 18 sacks, and as class Valedictorian, is receiving attention from the Ivy League schools, as well as Vanderbilt, according to Myles.
What To Expect
There’s no need to sugarcoat it: That’s a lot of great talent that has graduated. But, Myles, who kicks off his 17th season as the head coach at Carver, has seen it all before, so Panther fans can bet he’ll have his team right back in the mix again this season. The Panthers return to region 5-AAA, and although the region has lost a few teams from last year, their main 5-AAA foe will return in Cedar Grove, who they lost to in last year’s state title game.
Myles acknowledges there are a few areas of concern. “We have a few holes to fill this season, there’s no doubt about it,” says the head coach. “We need some younger guys to step in and fill our need on the offensive line.”
Prediction
The veteran coach will have his team ready to compete in AAA once again. Look for a 9- or 10-win season from the Panthers.
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