We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Clinch 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: 3-7
- Points Scored: 228
- Points Against: 296
Key Losses
The Panthers thankfully did not lose too many players from last season’s squad, but while the losses may not have been too large in quantity, the quality of talent they lost is significant.
According to Coach Don Tison, RB/LB Amazi Williams and RB Elijah Tiller are probably his two biggest losses. Williams came up big in several big games for Clinch County, including a tough, hard-fought 35-34 loss against rival Charlton County. In that Week 6 shootout game, Williams scored four times and rushed for 218 yards. He was a First Team All-Region selection for his rushing performance in 2021, but he was also recognized for his punting prowess for the Panthers, being selected as a First Team All Region Specialist.
His backfield partner was RB Elijah Tiller, who was named a 2nd Team All-Region selection. Both Williams and Tiller are speedsters, with Tison having posted their 40 times at 4.55 for Tiller and 4.6 for Williams. Both players will head off to play collegiately at Mesabi Range Community College in Minnesota. QB Kahlil Jenkins was an Honorable Mention All-Region selection.
Who’s Back
Returning this season will be Keegan Clayton, who will take over QB duties from the departed Jenkins. He will also play defensive back, where he was selected as a Second Team All-Region performer last season. He will be joined by a couple of defensive mates who also were All-Region selections for their play in 2021. The group includes senior Demonte Massey, a DT who was also recognized for his work in the trenches by being named to the All-Region Second Team.
Along with Clayton in the defensive backfield is CB Demetrius Magby, a junior who made the All Region First team. Having a good kicker and long snapper are far more important to the success of any team, especially in the lower classifications, where many teams simply elect to go for two in lieu of an extra point kick, or try for the first down conversion on a fourth down, where a FG attempt would have a better shot at points. Clinch is in good shape in that category, with LS Caleb Howell and PK Joshua Zuniga both returning this year, after each were selected as a First Team specialist for their work last season. Returning along the offensive line is OT Elijah Cobb, and at edge rusher will be senior Danny Fountain.
What To Expect
Tison and his Panthers are coming off a very uncharacteristic season that saw Clinch win just three games. But every team is due to have a season like that, and 2021 just happened to be that season. Don’t expect the Panthers to stay down for long, though. It’s a football house on a solid foundation that Tison helped build, and with several key starters returning and not too many key members graduating, look for Clinch County to get back to its championship-contending ways in 2022.
Prediction
Clinch and Tison contend for a region title with more than double the wins of last season. 8-4 overall record.
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