We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 North Gwinnett 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: 6-6
- Points Scored: 263
- Points Against: 269
Key Losses
The North Gwinnett Bulldogs’ offense will lose some playmakers, including a couple of big time RBs who are finished with their high school careers and now now take their talent to the next level. Brinston Williams is a bruising RB who will remain a Bulldog – and as a member of the Mississippi State University Bulldogs. His backfield mate, Marcus McFarlane, will attend Elon University after rushing for over 2,000 yards during his time at North Gwinnett.
Wide receivers Dylan Gary and Cade Funderburke will both play at the next level, with Gary headed to Kentucky and Funderburke to Samford. WR/kick returner Zack Johansen is off to Ole Miss, while QB Liam Glass and LB Hayden Morton are both headed to Birmingham Southern to play for the Panthers and head coach Tony Joe White.
CB Jordan Buchanan had four INT last season along with 36 tackles; he now take those talents to Purdue University. LB/DE Jordan Watson is headed to South Florida to play for the Bison of upstart McDougle Technical Institute JUCO.
Who’s Back
The Bulldogs will have one of the best returning defensive fronts in the state heading into 2022. Leading the group is senior DT Kayden McDonald, who is a Rivals top 250 recruit, and at the time of this writing is still undecided on his college home. Joining him back on the D-line this year will be three-star edge rusher Tyler Walton, who is coming off a junior season in which he had 47 tackles, including 17 TFL, and eight sacks. He is committed to Wake Forest.
Lining up at DE is 6-foot-4 junior Jaden Brock, who has several offers, including Vanderbilt. Lining up behind those three will be four-star senior OLB/ILB Grant Godfrey, who is committed to Kentucky, where he’ll join former teammate Dylan Gary. Adding to the talented defensive unit are senior DB Christian Smith and ATH Kenan Holmes, who had 21 tackles with two forced fumbles last season, along with 10 receptions and two TDs on offense. He’ll also return kicks again this season.
Also back on offense is returning QB Ethan Washington, who threw for 1,620 yards with 12 TDs in 2021, while rushing for 496 yards with five TDs, including an 80-yard jaunt. He’ll look for returning receiving targets Marek Bailey and Carter Campbell in the North Gwinnett offensive attack. RT Maddox Brix returns to the Bulldogs O-line in 2022.
What To Expect
Many people seem to be sleeping on this North Gwinnett team, and I’m not sure why, especially after looking at the returning talent on defense. The D-line will be one of the most formidable units in 7A this season, and if the offense can produce with Washington behind center, then this team has a great chance to make some noise, especially with a move into region 7-AAAAAAA, which should be an easier path without the likes of former region foes Collins Hill and Mill Creek to worry about any longer.
Prediction
I’m not sleeping on the Bulldogs. The ‘Dogs will make some noise this season. 11 wins for Coach Bill Stewart’s team this year.
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