We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Collins Hill football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Eagles this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 4-6
- Points Scored: 140
- Points Allowed: 234
Key Losses
The Eagles will enter 2023 without last season’s quarterback, Mikey Sheehan, who had a solid season as a one-year starter after playing behind Sam Horn. Sheehan threw for 1,339 yards and 8 TDs in 2022. Safety/WR Jaden Davis has moved on to the University of Cincinnati after enjoying a solid couple of years at Collins Hill. He had 6 sacks over the last two seasons, along with a total of 151 tackles from his safety spot. He also had 201 yards and 3 TDs last season as a receiver.
Another two-way standout, RB/LB Dion Crawford, will be missed. He had 31 tackles, and 5 of those were sacks last season. He is now at the University of Buffalo. Isaiah Richardson, who played at the “Star” position on defense, as well as receiver on offense, has graduated and is now at Eastern Illinois.
Head coach Drew Swick says perhaps the biggest loss is OL/DL TK Lanier, who signed with North Greenville after graduating from Collins Hill.
“We lose a tremendous team leader and veteran voice with the graduation of TK,” Swick said. “He will be missed.”
Who’s Back
Collins Hill was young last season, and the Eagles return a ton of talent in 2023. Returning to the offense are junior QB TJ Wilcox, who has seen very little time so far at the position. Swick said Wilcox saw a good bit of time in the Mill Creek game last year, but not much more.
He’ll be joined by fellow junior Jacari Thomas, a returning RB who rushed for 340 yards on 80 carries last season with a TD. Wilcox will have a host of returning receivers to throw to, including a couple of juniors and two seniors. The corps of receivers will include juniors CJ Hector and Ethan Campbell (who will also see time at CB), along with seniors Chase Nash and Quentin Grambo.
On defense, the returners expected to make an impact are CBs Chase West, Ethan Cambell, and Charles Goodman. The returning linebackers include Cameron Bass, Javion Hatch, and Cortez Hayes. The Collins Hill defense welcomes safety transfer Niko Buffer from Mountain View High, where he played last season.
What to Expect
Swick is a young coach who was an Eagles assistant before being promoted to the head coaching job this offseason, and he has surrounded himself with a solid crew of assistants, including Gerald “Boo” Mitchell from North Gwinnett to be his offensive coordinator, and former Norcross and UGA star receiver Juan Daniels to help develop the aforementioned receiving group. Cory Beck will be the Collins Hill defensive coordinator.
The energy and optimism among the coaching staff and young roster is flowing at Collins Hill in 2023, and you can expect that to carry over to an overall better performance on and off the field.
Prediction
Swick may need a year or two to turn things around, but look for noticeable improvement in 2023 as the Eagles finish 6-4.
Game to Watch
The Freedom Bowl opener against Milton on August 17 will be big as Collins Hill looks to start the 2023 football season off on a winning note.
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