We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Jefferson County 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: 6-5
- Points Scored: 231
- Points Against: 187
Key Losses
Perhaps the biggest loss Head Coach JB Arnold and the Jefferson County Warriors sustained this offseason was not due to graduation, but rather to injury. It just happened to be starting quarterback Evan Usry, who suffered an Achilles injury playing baseball for the Warriors baseball team this spring. “He won’t return this year,” said Arnold. “It is disappointing.”
One of Usry’s top targets last season did graduate, and his production will be missed as well. Wide receiver Marquis Whigham had 436 receiving yards with five TDs. Arnold called him “our team’s MVP on offense.” He also returned kicks and punts, and he served as the team’s punter, averaging right at 32 yards per punt.
A big-time player who was important on both the offensive and the defensive sides is linebacker Nick Jordan. He had 136 tackles with six forced fumbles and an eye-popping 17.5 sacks. He also had an interception from his LB spot, and rushed for 405 yards on 61 carries and four TDs as one of the team’s primary backs. Jordan is attending Georgia Military College, where he will continue to play football. OL and honor graduate Burton Arnold also will not return in 2022.
Who’s Back
Returning this season are a couple of candidates to take over at quarterback since Usry is unable to return due to injury. Arnold points to senior Jamrio Kitchens and sophomore Terrell Benjamins as the two leading candidates who will battle for the starting job. Kitchens is a converted DB, and he did have some success as a running QB last season, rushing for 85 yards and a TD.
Whoever plays the position will see plenty of time throwing the ball in 2022, according to Arnold. “We will run five-wide most of the time, because of our athleticism,” he said. “We want to get those guys in space and let them do their thing with their speed.”
At running back, Arnold said it will be the old “running back by committee” system, with a trio of juniors getting the reps this year. They are Anthony Ruff, Jeremiah Lane, and Christavious Change. Junior WR Vernon Oliphant returns, while on defense, senior DE Landon Brown leads the way on the line. He is receiving attention from several colleges, according to Arnold. DE Akim Lowery and MLB DJ Jordan are two seniors who bring back more experience on the defense. Kicker Ethan Rabun also is back this season.
What To Expect
The Warriors move from 4-AA to upper-division 1A this year, and into a region with Dublin, Bleckley County, East Laurens, and Swainsboro. Losing your QB and leading receiver is tough enough, and the new region foes add to the challenge. This 2022 version of the Warriors will be interesting to watch, considering the RB-by-committee approach and plans to run out of a five-wide receiver set with the crew of speedy and athletic playmakers that Jefferson County returns.
Prediction
Look for another six-win season in the Warriors’ first season in the new region.
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