We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Lowndes 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: 10-3
- Points Scored: 451
- Points Against: 367
Key Losses
The Vikings bid goodbye to former head coach Jamey DuBose after he led the Vikings for the past two seasons. The new head coach is Zach Grage, who comes from Thomasville. He will face the challenge of replacing several key starters, namely the Vikings’ two main offensive weapons in starting QB Jacurri Brown and his primary receiver and overall offensive spark plug, Chase Belcher.
Grage will have to somehow replace the 58 combined touchdowns and 4,200 total yards those two players accounted for in 2021 alone. WR Khris Thomas is another offensive weapon the Vikings will miss this season.
The defense loses some big-time players also, as All Region performers DB Josh Pickett, LB DeAunte Hunter and CB Tylar Belcher have all graduated. Belcher had six interceptions last season and was a big-time special teams returner as well. As much as these players will be missed for their production, the Vikings program will miss their locker room presence, leadership and spirit just as much.
Who’s Back
The Vikings are glad to have RB Jacarre “Smoke” Fleming returning this season. A hard-nosed runner, Fleming will be counted on to carry much of the load this year, especially with uncertainty at QB still a possibility. Fleming averages 6.4 yards per carry, and it’s that ball-control style that will be counted on this season. He will have returning OL DJ Jones to run behind this season.
CB and receiver Kevis Thomas will return this season, and his talents on both sides of the ball could come in handy this season to replace some of what graduation losses took. Thomas will be joined in the defensive backfield with returning mate CJ Tomlin back for another year.
The Lowndes defense will be as solid as anyone at the LB position, with OLB Mekhi Crawford joining fellow backers Elijah Colvin, Coleman Lewis, and Cooper Melvin back on defense this season. On special teams, punter Carson Page will be back, as well as the man who gets the ball to him, long snapper Weston Edwards.
What To Expect
Grage is a great fit at Lowndes, and he will do well taking over the Vikings football program. For this season, he will need to find a few guys who are willing to step up and earn a spot on this team. Make no mistake: The losses are huge. Lowndes lost not only a lot of talent and experience, but a lot of leadership and pure spirit as well.
Who will be the person to take over for Brown at QB? There has been a three-way battle for the signal caller job this offseason, with juniors Brooks Best and Tate Sirmans battling along with sophomore Marvis Parrish. However, Grage tells ITG Next not to expect a platoon situation at QB this fall for his Vikings squad.
“We will name a starter before the start of the season, and we’ll go with just one guy (at QB),” said Grage.
Speaking of the opening game, the Vikings will be tested right out of the gate with the talented Patriots of American Heritage visiting the concrete palace to open the season. The always-powerful Grayson Rams will be a new addition to the schedule as they visit Lowndes on September 20 in week six. The region has changed and grown slightly, with Valdosta and Richmond Hill now region foes, and longtime rival Tift County now in a different classification.
Prediction
An interesting season awaits, but Grage has a successful debut:10 wins in 2022.
Want to get the latest news and opinions in the Georgia high school sports world before anyone else? Subscribe to our email newsletter!
