We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 McEachern 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: 7-5
- Points Scored: 393
- Points Against: 330
Key Losses
The Indians will miss the pitch-and-catch duo of QB Bryce Archie and WR Kaleb Webb. Archie leaves McEachern with a stellar history, including 4,154 yards passing with 43 TD passes. He also added 525 rushing yards and nine TDs, proving he could get it done with his legs as well as his arm. Archie has settled in at Coastal Carolina.
Meanwhile, Webb leaves behind 106 receptions and 1,830 receiving yards along with 18 TDs, as he gets ready to make his mark in Rocky Top, aka the University of Tennessee. DB Victor Okafor was a solid cover guy and tackler for the Indians, as his 141 tackles and 2 interceptions attest. The University of West Georgia certainly liked him and signed him in the offseason.
Defensive lineman Drake Hatcher leaves McEachern, where he enjoyed quite the career, with 57 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He is not done, though, as he will continue his career with the Raiders at Colgate University.
Who’s Back
Softening the blow of losing Webb will be the return of senior WR Savion West. He enters his final season ready to break out and pick up where he left off at the end of last season. West finished 2021 with a stellar season, bringing his career receiving mark of 497 yards on 31 catches and four TDs.
Senior DL Kameron Neal will be back to wreck havoc off the end as an edge rusher for the Indians. In his lone season last year, in nine games, Neal ended up with 23 tackles, seven QB hurries, and was in on a sack with a teammate, giving him a half of a sack. He was also able to get his hands up and deflect two passes last year against opposing QBs.
Returning to the offensive line to provide run and pass blocking is 6-foot-4 OT Ovie Dubre. He weighs in at a cool 300 pounds and will be getting a lot of attention from college recruiters all season long.
What To Expect
Speaking of Dubre, look for him to be the cornerstone for the area that head coach Franklin Stephens says will likely be the strength of the team this year.
“We feel [the offensive line] will be the strength of the team this year,” said the Indians’ head coach. “We have a lot of guys up front returning from last year, with a few guys that have playing experience.”
What about areas of concern? Stephens said finding a replacement for three-year starter Bryce Archie will be the main priority: “The quarterback position will be a question mark for us. We have two guys battling this offseason for the starting job.”
He also mentioned that he was concerned about a couple of areas on the defense.
“Graduation depleted the secondary and linebacker positions,” Stephens said. “Although older guys will play those positions, there will still be some inexperience in those roles.”
Prediction
As a veteran coach, Franklin Stephens has been here before. Lets go with another seven-win season for the young Indians in 2022.
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