We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Dublin 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: 6-5
- Points Scored: 381
- Points Against: 253
Key Losses
Gone is RB/DB Qua Ashley, a dynamic rusher in Coach Roger Holmes’ run-heavy attack. Ashley is off to Kennesaw State University, where he’ll have an excellent shot at breaking right into the Owls’ offense this season. He enjoyed a solid senior season in 2021, rushing for 797 yards with 14 TDs and an 8 yards-per-carry average on 100 carries. Ashley also caught seven passes, including three for TDs, returned punts and kicks (343 yards and a TD) and recorded 49 tackles and three interceptions on defense, including a pick-six.
JT Wright is another great back who won’t be back this season, and as with Ashley, his production will be missed. The wingback rushed for 1,209 yards on 116 carries. Jeremiah Greene, who played MLB and FB, and was a state track champion in the 400 hurdles, has also graduated. On special teams, Dublin loses a big weapon with the graduation of John Potter, the team’s kicker and punter. During his career, Potter converted 5 of 6 field goal attempts, including a long of 34 yards.
Who’s Back
Returning to lead the Irish offense this season is senior quarterback Jaquarius Evans. He threw for 620 yards with seven TDs and rushed for another score in 2021. Returning for his senior season is 6-foot-3, 225-pound pulling guard and DE Romontei Dardy, who came up with 40 tackles last season, including three sacks. He also forced two fumbles and recovered another.
On the other side of the offensive line will be 6-foot-2, 215-pound returning senior Desmond Gilbert, who will return to his guard spot on offense and end when the Irish are on defense. He had 44 tackles with two fumble recoveries last season. Coach Roger Holmes tells ITG Next that both Dardy and Gilbert are receiving attention from colleges, and their recruiting will heat up during their senior season.
Playing between those two will be center Nasir Johnson, who at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds will be a mammoth presence in the middle of the Dublin O-line. Junior DeMari Foster is back at his familiar linebacker spot, but Holmes told us that Foster will pull “double duty” this season, seeing more time at running back after carrying the ball 13 times last season. Foster collected 53 tackles last year, including two sacks. Senior DB Tra Baldwin returns, and although he has played almost exclusively on defense, Holmes said he expects Baldwin to be the #1 receiving target in the Irish offense this season.
What To Expect
The key for Dublin this season will be its ability to replace the 2,400 yards of rushing offense that leaves along with Ashley, Wright, and Green. If the Irish can find the running backs to step in and carry the load, they should have no problem running the ball with the return of the three key offensive linemen to pave the way.
Holmes says the Irish’s success will hinge on how well the underclassmen come around. “Our key this year will be our younger kids helping to build our depth,” said the long-time Irish head coach. This will be a special season for the Dublin football program, with the Irish celebrating their 100th season of football – and they’ve already had some great ones along the way. The 1,000th game in program history will be the season opener against Wilkinson County. The Irish play in the famous Shamrock Bowl, and the 2022 season promises to be a special year for the program.
Prediction
The Fighting Irish will be better than last year, with an 8-3 record.
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