We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Fitzgerald football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Purple Hurricanes this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 14-1
- Points Scored: 462
- Points Allowed: 199
Key Losses
The Purple Hurricanes will lose a couple of All-State linemen with the graduation of 3-sport star Xavier Walker on offense and Daniel James on defense. One of the top ball carriers to ever suit up for Fitzgerald football is RB Sylon Davis, who also played LB for head coach Tucker Pruitt’s Purple Hurricanes. The two-way standout is another player who has graduated and will not return in 2023.
Cornerback DJ Brown and TE/LB Drew Moore will leave a couple of major talent voids in the Purple Hurricanes’ locker room as well as the field. All of these players have been a big part of Fitzgerald’s success and a major reason for back-to-back trips to the 2A state championships game. Davis, Brown, and Walker all signed with Reinhardt University, while James signed with Berry College.
Who’s Back
Fitzgerald will return several key offensive linemen in 2023, and for a team that relies so much on being able to run the football year after year, that’s a big deal. The returners along the line include 6-foot, 5-inch, 300-pound senior Gabe Pearce and Christian Riggins, another senior who weighs in at 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 225 pounds.
The other returning O-linemen are senior Lavon Simmons and senior Roderick Morgan (6 feet, 3 inches, 215 pounds). Simmons (6 feet, 1 inch, 310 pounds) will anchor the line as the team’s center, while Morgan will contribute as a tight end, also. Among key skill position players, Pruitt said Calvin Tillman will return at wide receiver this season.
What to Expect
The expectations in Fitzgerald go well beyond just being satisfied with making the postseason every year. Like most championship-caliber programs, Fitzgerald has come to expect playing for state titles.
“This season needs to be a championship season for us,” Pruitt said.
Pruitt said the 2023 team will have a load of experience, with many of the players having played for two straight state championships. But it’s last year’s loss in the 2A title game that will serve as a motivator.
“This year’s group has a pretty bad taste in their mouth,” he said about the 32-27 loss to Thompson.
Pruitt and his team also know the thrill of victory, having won the state title in 2021, and with an experienced team returning along with their experienced head coach who knows what it takes, you can look for these Purple Hurricanes to be right back in the mix this season.
Prediction
See above comments. Fitzgerald will run behind that experienced offensive line all the way to 12 or 13 wins – at least – in 2023.
Game to Watch
The Purple Hurricanes’ game against the team they expect to battle for the region title, Cook, will be one to watch in 2023.
Want to get the latest news and opinions in the Georgia high school sports world before anyone else? Subscribe to our email newsletter!
