We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 North Cobb 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: 10-2
- Points Scored: 462
- Points Against: 193
Key Losses
The Warriors lose some major talent from last season, with several players signing NIL deals as they head off to play at the collegiate level. The group includes what was perhaps the finest trio of wide receivers on one team last year: Samuel Mbake and De’Nylon Morrissette, who have headed off to the University of Georgia; and Reggie Givhan, who signed with Charlotte University.
DB Marquis “Deuce” Groves-Killebrew joins Mbake and Morrissette at Georgia. CB Andre Stewart heads to Kentucky to continue his career, while defensive linemen Isaiah Blake (Shorter) and Latrell Bullard (Georgia Southern) move on to play at the next level as well. Offensive lineman Joshua Bagley will attend Point University and tackle Aidan Williams heads to Washburn University.
Who’s Back
Despite losing a ton of talent, Head Coach Shane Queen is excited to have a lot of returning talent to work with this season.
“We have over 35 seniors on this year’s team,” Queen said.
That group starts with QB Malachi Singleton, who had 2,168 yards passing with 21 TDs last season. He added 872 yards on the ground, with 22 rushing TDs.
Joining him in the offensive backfield is senior RB Ben Hall, a Michigan commit. Returning up front to provide pass protection and run blocking are three offensive linemen who have started 24 consecutive games together, according to Queen. They are Blake Ellsworth, Marselle Felton and Robert Grigsby. David Eziomume and TJ Smith return to fill the void at wide receiver.
Defensively, Queen says the Warriors will have Bryan Graham and Dylan Mann returning on the DL, while Andrew and Ben Trelles are back to man the linebacker spots along with Kameron Owens. In the secondary, the trio of Jordan Lonas, Caleb Jenkins, and Quentin Ajiero all return to offer stability to the defensive backfield in 2022.
What To Expect
As Queen returns to the North Cobb sideline for his 17th season, he says his team feels like it has some unfinished business to deal with.
“Our kids are really hungry after our season-ending loss to Roswell in the playoffs last season,” he said. “Our senior leadership is the best I have seen as a whole in my 17 seasons here, so our culture is very strong, and our kids love each other.”
The overall tone from Queen and the Warriors seem to be about finishing, especially after the last two seasons ended sooner than most expected. North Cobb was on a roll headed into the Roswell game, having won 10 straight.
Then, Queen said, “We lose a playoff game in which we never punted.”
He admits that this year’s team has some big shoes to fill, but he’s confident the team is full of players ready to step up and contribute. Of course, any time you have a quarterback as talented as Singleton to rally around, you have to like your chances, and Queen does.
“I feel like Malachi is the best dual-threat quarterback in the country,” the Warriors’ head coach says.
North Cobb fans have to like their team’s chances with a player like that leading the way.
Prediction
North Cobb is right back in the hunt. Another 10-win season (at least), and maybe more – 12-2 overall record in 2022.
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