We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Peachtree Ridge 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: 3-7
- Points Scored: 72
- Points Against: 270
Key Losses
The Lions lose several key members of last season’s team, including some key pieces on the defense such as DBs Justin Alexander and Tyree Tatum. On the defensive line, Peachtree Ridge lose big DT Kantrel “Tre” Smith, an Honorable Mention All-County selection last season. New head coach Matt Helmerich describes the departing lineman as “stocky and strong,” able to bench press close to 400 pounds. Smith is headed to play at NAIA McPherson College in Kansas.
Two-sport star Jairus Griffin, a standout receiver for the Lions, also is headed off to play college football, having signed with Alabama A&M following his senior campaign. Griffin was a Second-Team All-Region selection last year. He also was a standout basketball player for Peachtree Ridge.
Kicker Eddie Park, the Region 8-AAAAAAA Specialist of the Year, will certainly be missed as he too has graduated. All-Region LS Aaron Yoo is headed to play at Columbia College. All-Region TE Allonte Burley is another college-bound Lion – he’s taking his talents to North Dakota State University. Center Luke Fitts, a Second-Team All-Region performer from last season, has also graduated.
Who’s Back
Returning for Helmerich and his staff are a handful of playmakers from last year’s team. Senior H-back/LB John Dutten is a three-sport athlete with a 4.0 GPA who will be a welcomed returner for Peachtree Ridge. Fellow senior Jhordan Ghant is back to play DB and receiver, and will return kicks, according to Helmerich.
A trio of talented juniors is back, including receivers Myles Abernathy and Jeremy Colbert. Both are highly skilled pass catchers, with Helmerich describing Abernathy as a guy who “catches everything.” A Second-Team All-Region selection from a year ago, the 6-foot-4 receiver has been offered by Arkansas State, which Helmerich says will likely be the first of many offers extended to Abernathy. Colbert is another talented receiver, described by Helmerich as a “speedster” who runs a 10.7 100-yard dash. He also has received an collegiate offer already, from Southeast Missouri State.
The third junior is DE Darius Wallace, who the coach says will be receiving attention from college recruiters pretty soon as well. Returning to battle for the QB position are Hayden Thompson and lefty Josh Evans. A transfer from South Carolina, Hunter Shapperd, will also compete for the position, according to Helmerich.
What To Expect
Helmerich was previously at Johns Creek, where he built a winner, taking the Gladiators to the state playoffs in each of the last four seasons, including last year’s quarterfinal round. He was hired in the offseason and now is working to build Peachtree Ridge into the state power and success it enjoyed a little over a decade ago.
The new coach inherits an offense that averaged just a sole TD per game (7.2ppg). Helmerich has been pleased with the enthusiasm his new team has displayed so far, and said that while spring practice was “rough to start,” it finished with a lot of promise. “We improved so much from day one to the final play of our spring game,” he said. That was against Mountain View, where a last-play TD gave the Lions a 13-13 tie. “For just nine days of practice and a game, I thought we made great strides,” Helmerich said.
Prediction
Helmerich will right the ship. I see a 6-5 season for the Lions this year.
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