We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Grayson 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: 10-4
- Points Scored: 318
- Points Against: 253
Key Losses
Coach Adam Carter will say goodbye to a couple of defensive backs and a linebacker among the players who graduated from last year’s 10-win group. Headed off to play in the Ivy League at Harvard will be AJ Lopez, who ends his Grayson career with 134 tackles and seven interceptions from his safety position with the Rams. He scored three TD during his time at safety, on a fumble recovery, an interception return and a punt return.
The other DB who has graduated and will be off to play college football is Mumu Bin-Wahad. His stellar performance as a Ram got him noticed by colleges, including the Mountaineers of West Virginia. Bin-Wahad had 64 tackles and sixinterceptions in 25 games, plus 205 yards on kickoff returns.
A third member of the Grayson defense Carter says will be missed is linebacker Darrell Farrar, who finishes his career at Grayson with 161 tackles and four sacks. He has headed off to play at Appalachian State University. Two offensive players Carter mentions are OL Griffin Scroggs and RB Sean Downer. Scroggs was a three-star Adidas All-American, and at 6-foot, 3-inches and 285 pounds, will definitely be big shoes to fill on the Rams O-line in 2022. RB Sean Downer was a solid back in the Rams run game, rushing for 755 yards and four TDs on 105 carries.
Who’s Back
Returning to the Rams this season will be running back Joseph Taylor, who has already rushed for 1,772 yards on 344 carries and 18 TDs. ATH Joseph Stone will be a welcomed returner this season for Carter and Grayson because of his production and his versatility. He has caught 19 passes for 111 yards and has also thrown for 440 yards and two TDs, completing 45 of 86 passing attempts.
Speaking of versatility, returning senior Haldine Diaby can play any position on the offensive line and at 6-foot-3, 280 pounds will give the Rams plenty of options in both pass protection and run blocking this season. He is receiving several collegiate offers.
On the defensive side, three-star senior LB Jalen Smith will give the Rams D a huge lift with his return this season. He plays big at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds and is excellent against the run. The University of Texas has extended an early offer for Smith already, and you can bet there will be many more seeking his services. Look out for DB Michael Daugherty returning this season to the Rams defense. He has 96 tackles with four sacks and a fumble recovery for a TD.
What To Expect
The Rams made a nice run down the stretch last season, and Carter likes this group he has in 2022.
“We are returning a young, but experienced team,” he said. “Our senior class is strong, so we will look to them for our leadership on and off the field. I am looking forward to seeing our offense this season. We have a few big play guys, and a big physical offensive line.”
On the other side of the ball, Carter said his team “will be young, but fast.”
Carter points out his schedule, which he thinks is the toughest since he has been at Grayson.
“We open in the Corky Kell Classic against Marietta, then we have a couple of semi-finalists from South Carolina, so we have to be playing at a high level out of the gate,” Carter said.
He also mentioned the trip to Lowndes as a big test for his Rams squad this year and made reference to the always-tough Region 4-7A, which, other than his Grayson team, also includes Archer, Brookwood, Parkview, Newton, and South Gwinnett.
“I think our region is the toughest in 7A from top to bottom,” Carter said.
Prediction
Grayson has a ton of talent, but will it be enough to get them as far as the semifinals, where they ended up last season? I see a great year for Grayson: 10-3 overall record.
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