We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Clinch County football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Panthers this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 10-3
- Points Scored: 434
- Points Allowed: 250
Key Losses
The 2022 Panthers were a very good team, and several players who were a big reason for that success have graduated and won’t be returning. The group includes several two-way standout players, such as DJ Magby, who got the job done for Clinch offensively and defensively. On offense, Magby had 238 yards rushing, 90 yards receiving and 5 TDs.
LB/RB Xavion Johnson has graduated, as has Patrick Kimple, the ITG Next Farah and Farah Forward Progress Award Winner. Kimple will attend Georgia College. Marvin Gainey, Eddie Smith, Tucker Robbins, Levi Reliford, and Demarious Magby have all graduated and will not return to Clinch as well. Tucker is headed to the University of Georgia as a student, while Fountain is off to Peru State to play football. Everyone else mentioned will be playing at Thomas University.
Who’s Back
Returning to lead the Panthers in 2023 will be senior WR Jeremy Bell, who had a tremendous season last year catching the football. With head coach Don Tison running a Pro Gun-style of offense, Bell had 31 receptions for 742 yards receiving and 10 TDs. The player returning to try to get him the ball once again this season will be junior QB Aaron Bryant, who will also play some DB this year. Bryant is a dual threat at QB.
Senior RB Jayshon Raymond will return to the Clinch offense as well as the defense, where he’s slated to play linebacker. He may be more productive from a DB spot if last year is any indication: Raymond had 63 tackles and 4 INT, along with a fumble recovery in 2022. Returning RB Xavion Johnson may very well be the one to get the majority of the carries between the two, although he will likely see some time at linebacker this season as well. Returning to the line will be senior OL/DL Elijah Cobb.
What to Expect
Head coach Don Tison says his Panthers team is riding the momentum of last season’s success, with the team enjoying a solid offseason, and that has made the Clinch County football coach a happy camper as he gets set to kick off his fifth season as the head man in Homerville.
“Last season was a great year, and so far we’ve picked up right where we left off,” Tison said. “So far during spring practice and summer workouts we’ve had a great turnout. Kids are excited to be back on the field.”
The Panthers head coach added that he’s excited about the returning leadership as well as some underclassmen as the start of the 2023 season approaches.
“We have a great group of seniors returning to lead us, as well as a great group of younger kids coming up that we’re excited about,” Tison said.
Prediction
With a large group of returning seniors from last year’s 10-win Clinch County football team, look for another great season in 2023: 11-3 record.
Game to Watch
October 27 against Charlton County.
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