We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Jeff Davis 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: 10-2
- Points Scored: 349
- Points Against: 110
Key Losses
Coach Lance Helton and the Yellow Jackets have enjoyed several successful seasons over these last four years, especially with their back-to-back seasons of 10 wins in 2021 and nine in 2020.
Several playmakers who were a big part of that success have graduated and will move on from Hazlehurst. The group includes receiver/linebacker Mike Dotson, who is off to Georgia Military College. Dotson had 534 all purpose yards during his time as a Yellow Jacket. He collected four INT and eight TDs during his career at Jeff Davis.
A couple of Yellow Jackets who are headed to Kennesaw State to continue their football careers are CJ Parker and Tre Chandler. Parker played WR/CB, and even some at QB. He ended his time at Jeff Davis with 429 rushing yards, averaging an incredible 14.8 yds per carry with three TDs. He added 345 receiving yards with two TDs. On defense, he collected an impressive six INT to go along with 45 tackles.
Chandler played OLB/RB for just one season, and racked up 72 tackles with a sack. Miyon Conoway will take his talent to Liberty University, where the Flames hope the 6-foot-3 TE/DE picks up right where left off as a Yellow Jacket, with 39 tackles including eight TFL, seven sacks, and four fumble recoveries. Helton says his other big player loss will be Nate Lewis, who will play at Georgia Southern.
Who’s Back
Returning in 2022 is junior Carter Mullis, who is a very versatile player. Heading into his senior season, Mullis has amassed 122 tackles with three sacks and two interceptions. Returning senior RB/CB Terrence Clemons also is back, and he brings with him a resume that makes any coach smile: 44 tackles and three INT. He has also forced a fumble on defense. On offense, he has rushed for 205 yards with a TD, but the really impressive part of his run game is his average yards per carry: 8.5 yards per rush attempt.
The Jeff Davis football faithful are glad to see DT Amarion Mitchell returning in 2022. The 5-foot-8, 230-pound lineman is poised to have a breakout season, and look for him to improve on his performance so far at Jeff Davis. He has 37 tackles with a sack and a blocked FG. Joining Mitchell on the defense this year will be OLB Landon Roberson. The returning senior will see time at RB again this year, and brings with him 329 rushing yards and two TDs so far.
Another senior returning to play both RB and OLB this season will be Peyton Laney, who has averaged eight yards per carry while rushing 24 times for Helton and Jeff Davis. He has three TDs so far, plus 31 tackles. He also has an interception while defending against opposing passing games.
What To Expect
Coach Helton doesn’t shy away from what he sees as some of the main obstacles for his 2022 Jeff Davis football squad. “With a team like us that is losing 20 of 22 starters, there will be some bumps in the road this season,” Helton says.
He points to a daunting schedule as yet another main challenge for his team this year. “The schedule is extremely tough, there’s no doubt about it, but there will be great opportunity for growth among our younger players, playing against the caliber of opponents we have in 2022,” Helton said.
The Yellow Jackets’ first five games could very well be the toughest in the state of Georgia, with Charlton County and 2020 state champion Pierce County the first two opponents, followed by tough games on the road against Metter and Swainsboro, who finished a combined 23-4, and were semifinalists in their respective classification playoffs last year.
Prediction
If Jeff Davis can survive the first half of the season, they should be in pretty good shape. Expect a seven-win season in 2022.
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