We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Irwin County football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Indians this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 11-2
- Points Scored: 511
- Points Allowed: 145
Key Losses
Irwin County will lose its starting quarterback from the last four years as Cody Soliday graduates. He threw for 5,855 yards and 76 TDs over his career, and he rushed for another 16 TDs. He is off to Mercer, where he’ll play baseball.
Three of Soliday’s top receiving targets are also leaving, as receivers Bo Payne, Mason Snyder, and Malachi Hadden all head to the next level to continue their football careers. Payne signed with Georgia Military College, Snyder inked with Berry College, and Hadden is headed to the University of Charleston. The trio combined for 2,400 career receiving yards and 31 TDs during their time at Irwin County. RB Demarkas Lundy will join Payne at GMC after a career that saw the Indians rusher rack up 2,567 yards and 30 TDs.
Who’s Back
Head coach Casey Soliday will welcome back several playmakers who have been main contributors to the Indians’ success, including junior RB Shane Marshall, who shared time with Lundy and has 1,609 rushing yards and 21 TDs over the last two seasons.
Junior receiver Brodie Suggs also returns to the Indians offense, along with junior linemen Hudson Royal and Kellen Wynn, and senior tackle Shyheim Alexander. Returning to the defense in 2023 will be senior defensive ends Michael Joiner and Ulysses Tomblin, along with senior DB Jaken Thomas and senior LB Wesley Walters, who will also see time at wingback again this year. Junior DL Elijah Fears is back as well.
What to Expect
No reason to think Irwin won’t be right back in contention for the Class A-D1 title in 2023. Yes, they lost some major contributors from the successful teams over the last three or four seasons, but Casey Soliday has seen this before. The biggest X factor for the Indians head coach will be finding a replacement for his son Cody at QB. Coach Soliday told ITG Next that junior Luke Snyder will get the first chance as the Indians starter there, but sophomore Carter Howell could compete for the job, also. Otherwise, Irwin County should be just fine.
Prediction
I’ll take this 2023 Irwin County football team to finish 11-3 with a run at the Class A-D1 state title once again.
Game to Watch
The season opener against Fitzgerald is always a big one, and it will be one to watch this season.
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