We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 McIntosh County Academy 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: 6-5-1
- Points Scored: 265
- Points Against: 162
Key Losses
All State DL Will Jones leads the list of non-returners from last season. He was a four-year performer the Buccaneers, and began to show his skills early on, including his freshman season when he totaled two sacks in just fourgames. He would end up with five sacks and 74 tackles for his career total on defense at McIntosh, while rushing for 932 yards and 16 TDs.
Quan Proctor also ran the ball well during his time as a Buccaneer, carrying the ball 95 times for 831 yards and six TDs. He added three receiving TDs. He and Jones will remain teammates at Savannah State, where they both accepted offers to play collegiately. Free safety Colby Reed will be missed on the defensive side of things for the Bucs, as he too heads off to play college ball. Reed will suit up for Manchester University in Indianapolis after completing a career in Darien that saw him finish with 46 career tackles and 219 receiving yards. He also had an interception and scored three TDs while a Buccaneer.
Who’s Back
Returning for McIntosh County Academy is a host of All-Region performers who will give Coach Bradley Warren some much-needed talent and experience. We start with JaReese Campbell, who moves from RB to the QB spot this season. As the team’s primary rusher last season, he averaged a little over five yards per carry, giving him 1,135 rushing yards over his career at McIntosh. Warren says Campbell will give the team a true dual-threat at the QB spot.
All-Region offensive linemen Danny Thomas and Daniel Rush are both back to provide pass protection and run blocking up front this season. Another All-Region selection from last year’s defense is Laderrious West; he will also see time at the slot receiver position this year. A first team All-Region selection and team captain is back at MLB this season. That’s Lake Linton, a throw-back type player Warren describes as “very physical.” Last season, Linton finished the season with 109 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles.
Warren says to look for sophomore DE Derrick Irons to make an impact this year. In very limited action as a freshman last season, Irons had three sacks. Another young up-and-comer Warren thinks is ready to step up is sophomore Jaylen Dallas. “He has all the tools and will play a lot this year on both sides of the ball, as a running back on offense and a safety on defense,” the head coach said.
What To Expect
Warren says his team didn’t lose a whole lot, and that has him excited about what could happen this season. “We have a huge senior class with a lot of guys with experience, and that gives us a lot to be excited about this year,” said Warren.
He and the Buccaneers opted to not go through the 10-day spring practice; instead, McIntosh will play a second preseason scrimmage. Warren says he’s not so sure the 10 days really help any team. “That’s a tight window,” he said. Reclassification placed the Bucs in the all new Class A D2 Region 3 with region foes ECI, Jenkins, Montgomery County and Portal.
Prediction
A favorable outlook for McIntosh in 2022: 8-3 overall this season.
Want to get the latest news and opinions in the Georgia high school sports world before anyone else? Subscribe to our email newsletter!
