We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Fitzgerald 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: 13-2
- Points Scored: 363
- Points Against: 171
Key Losses
The Purple Hurricanes will miss some great talent that was so important to them in finally capturing their first state championship in 73 years last season. The big names that will be missed include LB/RB EJ Lightsey, who will take his talents to UGA. Lightsey carried 11 times for 52 yards and a TD in the state title game, and added seven tackles on defense.
RB/DB DeNorris Goodwin, who had the other two TDs in the championship win, has also graduated. He finished the season with a total of 704 rushing yards for the season, with 175 of them coming in the title game.
OLB Jaden Stanley, who is now at the University of West Georgia, leaves Fitzgerald with a stellar season in which he finished with 75 tackles, including seven TFL, five sacks, three fumble recoveries, and an interception. Other key losses include RB Jakorrian Paulk and DL Don Hill.
Who’s Back
Returning in 2022 to try to get Fitzgerald back to another state title run will be QB Sultan Cooper. Although he probably won’t be counted on to throw the ball a whole lot in Head Coach Tucker Pruitt’s vaunted Wing-T offense, he still is the point man of the offense, and it’s his reads that determine if Fitzgerald keeps the chains moving or not. He finished last season with 20 completions in 40 attempts with two TDs.
Senior TE/RB/LB Drew Moore will return this season. He, along with Paulk, is still remembered for being part of the duo in Fitzgerald’s trick play two-point conversion against rival Irwin County that sent the game to OT, eventually resulting in the ’Canes’ win.
Other key members of last season’s championship team who will be back in 2022 are Seniors LB Daniel James, OL/DL Xavier Walker and FB/OLB Sylon Davis. Pruitt says sophomores Orian Bly and Dewayne Westbrook, who both play running back and linebacker, could make an impact with continued improvement this season.
What To Expect
There is no reason to think Pruitt will not have his team right back in position to compete for another state championship run in 2022. Just like some of the great triple option teams in the history of high school football have proven, once you get the Wing-T down pat, it’s hard to defend. Of course, Fitzgerald has a pretty good defense, too, so they have a lot going right for them right now. Pruitt says his team’s mindset is set on the championships for this season.
“Our expectations at Fitzgerald are to compete for the state championship every season,” Pruitt said.
Prediction
Look for another championship season in Fitzgerald in 2022: 12-3 with a return trip to the AA state finals.
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