We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Tiftarea 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: 6-6
- Points Scored: 249
- Points Against: 292
Key Losses
The Panthers will somehow have to find a replacement for four-year player Dylan Harbort, who has graduated and is a preferred walk-on at Georgia Southern. The former Panther QB/OLB/WR/DB/K did a little bit of everything as part of the TA varsity squad, and did it well. From his QB position, he threw for 2,548 yards and 27 TDs, and he also ran for 2,961 yards with 40 TDs. As a receiver, he caught 19 passes for 305 yards and two TD’s.
Over on the defensive side, Harbort finished his career with 219 tackles with three sacks. He forced four fumbles and recovered three of them. As a kicker on extra point attempts, Harbort nailed 15 of 17 attempts. He even returned a punt for a TD.
While he was certainly the focal point for the Panthers, Harbort isn’t the only key member not returning in 2022. Others who will be missed include TE/LB Mason Tyler, WR/LB Cason Peavey, RB/S John Austin Lee, and OL/DL Wesley Malone, who finished his Tiftarea career with 98 tackles, including three sacks. He will continue his football career at the next level as he heads off to Millsaps College to play for the D-III Majors.
Who’s Back
A host of seniors will lead the group of returning starters and major contributors from last year’s 6-6 Panther team. Among them are WR/LB Matthew Malone, who has 213 yards receiving and three TDs on offense, and 109 tackles with two sacks from his LB spot over his last two seasons. Head Coach Erik Soliday says he expects Malone to take over the kicking and punting chores this season.
RB/CB Kameron Brown is a returning senior who will continue to serve as one of the team’s punt returners, in addition to his rushing and receiving duties on offense. Possibly moving into the QB spot this season will be Cubby Carlson, who will also see time at safety.
The fourth key senior returning in 2022 is CB/WR Justin Moore. He has been solid as a receiver, hauling in 20 receptions with 338 yards and three TDs. Soliday says in addition to the seniors, he is glad to welcome back returning junior Jake Henderson, who will man the offensive and defensive line.
What To Expect
Soliday says his team is young, but that doesn’t mean they lack in talent, especially in certain areas of the team. “We have a chance to be really good, especially with our skill positions,” the Panthers head coach said. “We have some guys there that can catch the ball.”
Soliday also had a lot of praise for his returning linemen, both offensive and defensive. “Those big guys will be pretty decent this year,” he said. If there is one area to keep an eye on, it’s the linebacker spot. Soliday said the coaching staff will make that a priority in the offseason. “Right now, our linebacker corps are young, and that’s a tough position to have a lot of inexperience,” Soliday acknowledged.
Of course, that’s what the summer is for: To get bigger, faster, and stronger. After all, there is still a long way to go for the Panthers, and the veteran coach said as the season gets going, he expects his team to get better. “We will likely be better in week 8, 9, and 10 than we will be in week 1, 2 and 3.”
Prediction
Soliday is one of the most underrated and under-appreciated coaches in the state. He knows which buttons to push and he’ll have Tiftarea ready to go. Prediction: Another six-win season.
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