We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Mitchell County football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Eagles this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 4-6
- Points Scored: 176
- Points Allowed:191
Key Losses
Head coach Dondrial Pinkins said the Eagles lost 15 seniors to graduation, with the defense likely impacted the most, thanks to the loss of three linebackers. That group is comprised of Ja’Maryon Holder; Kelvin Washington, who also was the team’s center; and Isaiah Mango. Holder is headed to Thomas University to continue his football career, Washington is taking his talents to Fort Valley, and Pinkins said Mango has decided to head to the military.
DE Al Childs was a force for the Eagles; now he moves on to play at Albany State ,where he’ll be joined by Antwan Gilbert, who played WR/DB at Mitchell County. Pinkins told ITG Next that the Eagles will miss those players and the rest of the graduating Eagles.
Who’s Back
Pinkins is excited to welcome back nine rising seniors, as well as the underclassmen who will be counted on to contribute this season.
“We will take the field with a young but experienced team,” Pinkins said.
Among those returning seniors will be DE/RG Eddrick Williams; 6-foot, 1-inch, 230-pound DE/LT Tylik Silas; 270-pound center Jackson Johnson; and tall WR/DB Zilon Hawkins. Those are the top returnees, but Pinkins expects to play about 16 guys on the defense.
“We want to stay fresh and be efficient in different packages,” he said.
What to Expect
Pinkins expects his team’s biggest strength to be the defense.
“Our defense will be the backbone of this team,” he said. “We will be multiple [in scheme] and we will be very talented.”
The Eagles head coach and alumnus said he expects his unit to play fast and physical, controlling the line of scrimmage. Pinkins is challenging this year’s defense to do even better than last year’s unit, which ranked ninth in the state.
“Our kids have been challenged to finish even better, at number five or more in the state this year,” Pinkins said.
On offense, Pinkins said to expect the Eagles to rely heavily on the run game.
“The amount of success we have on offense will be determined by our run game, and how well we control the line of scrimmage – and that is for both sides of the line of scrimmage,” he said.
Prediction
Gonna be a great season – I see an 8-4 record for this 2023 Mitchell County football team.
Game to Watch
September 1 against Pelham at home.
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