Few teams statewide were better than the 2021 Clay-Chalkville Cougars, who went undefeated to win the Class 6A state championship. It was the Cougars’ first state title since 2014. What’s in store for the Clay-Chalkville football team in 2022 as they seek to repeat in Class 6A?
2021 Stats
- Overall Record: 15-0
- Points Scored: 727
- Points Allowed: 239
Key Losses
Undoubtedly Clay-Chalkville’s most notable losses come on offense, with the biggest being quarterback Khalib Johnson. One of the state’s top players at the position a year ago, Johnson threw for 3,357 yards with a 40:7 TD:INT and 66.2 CMP%, while also rushing for four touchdowns at the helm of what was a truly elite Cougar offense.
Elsewhere on the Clay-Chalkville offense, the Cougars lost star running back Edward Osley (2,083 yards, 33 touchdowns) and another key name at the position, Cam’Ron Williams. Marquarius White, who caught a team-high 56 passes for 1,251 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago, is the Cougars’ biggest loss at wide receiver, while Nathan Owens is another name that has to be replaced.
Defensively the Cougars’ biggest loss is probably Jayden Sweeney, a defensive back who ranked among Clay-Chalkville’s top tacklers last season. On the defensive line, Rodarius Sykes was another leading tackler, as well as a skilled pass rusher for the Cougars.
Jordan Walker is also a key loss from the front seven, as is Kaleb Simon, both of whom totaled 30+ tackles a year ago. Lamar Croskey is a big loss in the Cougars’ secondary, while Kevin Hurley is another name on defense who has moved on.
Who’s Back
Despite the losses, the offense will again be a massive strength for Clay-Chalkville in 2022. The group is headlined by the rising junior wide receiver duo of Mario Craver and Jaylen Mbakwe. Craver, a four-star prospect, ranked second for the Cougars in receiving last season with 937 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Mbakwe, the state’s No. 1 player in the 2024 class, ranked third with 677 yards and nine scores.
Rodreckus Johnson also returns at running back after rushing for eight touchdowns a year ago, while Alan Cotton and Aaron Osley also are back. Rising sophomore quarterback Marlon Compton returns after seeing limited action a year ago, while Kamari McClellan, one of the state’s top 2024 quarterbacks, could play a significant role after transferring from Oxford in the offseason.
On defense, the Cougars’ top tackler from last season returns in linebacker D’Angelo Barber, a rising senior who totaled more than 100 tackles. Mbakwe, a two-way player, is one of the state’s top returning cornerbacks, while Devin Finley, a rising senior, was one of the Cougars’ top pass rushers a year ago.
Elsewhere on the Cougars’ defense, Matthew Yafondo is a top tackler from last season, along with Jamon Smith and Deion Gunn. Ormond Wallace, Cameran Jones, DeAntuan Matthews, Coda Cooper, and Randell Cole are also names to know.
What to Expect
Clay-Chalkville had a season for the ages in 2021 – an unblemished record, a state championship and an average of nearly 50 PPG offensively. Could the Cougars possibly duplicate that success in 2022?
Returning a number of key players from that team, Clay-Chalkville certainly should be considered the preseason favorite in Class 6A. Assuming the Cougars are able to replace the lost production of Johnson and Osley, they’ll have a strong chance to go back-to-back in 6A this season.
Prediction
Clay-Chalkville will win at least 13 games and reach at least the Class 6A state semifinals.
